Features of adaptation of the population in difficult climate and natural environment conditions (on the example of research in the Altai Republic)

Abstract

The authors discuss approaches to the definition of the concept of "adaptation", the interdisciplinary nature of this term is noted. Biological, sociological and psychological approaches to understanding the essence of the phenomenon of "adaptation" are distinguished. At the biological level, a violation of personality adaptation due to difficult climatic conditions can lead to the emergence of physiological diseases, exacerbation of existing chronic diseases; at the psychological level of adaptation – to depressive states, apathy, anxiety, mental disorders; at the social level – to disruption of professional activity, difficulties in communicating with other people, the formation of negative ways of organizing leisure. It is noted that observations of local residents are a valuable source of information about climate change, especially at the local level. The article presents the data of an empirical qualitative study, the purpose of which is to identify and analyze trends in climate change and the natural environment in the Altai Republic in the perception of the local population. A number of in-depth interviews were conducted with experts, local residents living in permafrost areas of the Altai Republic: in the villages of Kosh-Agach and Ulagan districts. The obtained results of a qualitative study indicate problematic aspects of adaptation of residents of the Altai Republic at the biological level: in the presence of chronic diseases (especially high blood pressure is common), the population rarely seeks medical help. Risks are also noted at the social level of adaptation: the life activity of the population of the Republic takes place in difficult working and everyday conditions, due to difficult climatic conditions, residents have to abandon animal husbandry, a traditional source of personal food and income, there is difficult access to the social infrastructure of settlements, including for constructive leisure. The psychological component of adaptation, on the contrary, works quite effectively: despite the difficult living conditions, respondents assess their life as good and for the most part do not want to change their place of residence. It is noted that successful human adaptation is an integrated approach that includes biological, psychological and social components of adaptation.