Landscape and business’ risks: History and climate (Rural Russia)

Abstract

A history of transformations in using a landscape by humans is difficult, because such history depends on social-cultural factors and local changes in climate and environment. A business in rural sector usually respond acuteness on all of these factors. That has determined special attention to this topic. A goal of this investigation was to determine a business’ risks in using a particular landscape in the context of the influence of a specific climate. Attention is given to facts in local history of climate and landscape-using. Extremely hot weather became an especially important factor for society, life and business in the last few decades in the Eurasian area. In 2010 an extremely hot summer period in a central part of European Russia caused a fire in peat areas and a bad harvest for potatoes and cereals. Forest fire covered more than ten million hectares in an area of European Russia and temperature set a record (38.2 degrees Celsius) on 29 July 2010. A lot of fires in peat areas were a result of drainage of a peat-bog, after finishing a process of peat extraction. A history of local landscape using includes many facts that document extremely hot periods in this area in the past (for instance, in 1972 and 2003). Analysis of data derived from taking measures allows researchers to recommend diversification in the landscape using (particularly in expansion of non-agricultural business), and also eco-protection activity as prospective keys for reducing risks for a business in a local landscape and also for realizing a model of Sustainable Development for this local area.