European Russia Research Articles

On the identification of the omnivorous humpback fly <i>Megaselia scalaris (Loew)</i>

Ant-decapitating flies (lat. Megaselia scalaris (Loew)) is a quarantine object in the Russian Federation and is included in the Single list of quarantine objects of the Eurasian Economic Union, approved by the of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission dated 30.11.2016 No. 158, because it is a vector of dangerous diseases that cause great economic damage. The range covers large areas of North America, Africa, southern Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, as well as the European part of Russia, namely the Southern Federal District and the Republic of Crimea. The list of regulated products subject to research to identify M. scalaris (Loew) is very extensive, and accurate identification to species of the received samples by entomological method by morphological features of copulatory organs is very labor-intensive and not accurate. Therefore, methods of molecular diagnostics were developed for identification, namely, comparison of the studied nucleotide sequence with the reference one using NCBI database and determination of genetic distances. The studies were carried out on the basis of the Department of Molecular Research of the North-West Testing Laboratory of FGBU «ARRIAH». Six samples of the genus Megaselia were used in this work. At the first stage, DNA was isolated using DNA-Extran 2 kits. Then genetic markers were obtained by classical PCR with subsequent detection by electrophoresis using the T100 Thermal Cycler, sequenced on a 3500 Genetic Analyzer. Identification was performed by comparing the obtained sequence in BioEdit program using NCBI database and by calculating genetic distances using two-parameter Kimura model and Tajima-Nei model. The study revealed advantages and disadvantages of the presented methods of molecular identification.

Monitoring of a <i>Cypripedium guttatum</i> (Orchidaceae, Liliopsida) population on the northern border of its distribution range (Komi Republic, European Russia)

The results of our 12-year study of a population of the rare orchid Cypripedium guttatum Sw. on the northern border of its range, on the territory of the Komi Republic (north-east of European Russia) are presented. Our research has shown that weather factors (temperature and precipitation) have an impact on the seasonal development of shoots and plant size. The number of shoots is influenced by the weather conditions of the previous growing season, namely: the temperature of the first decade of August influences positively while early autumn frosts and the amount of precipitation of the entire period do negatively. A negative correlation was found between the number of flowering shoots and the temperature of the second decade of July of the previous growing season and a positive relationship between the number of juvenile plants and the precipitation of August of the previous growing season. Fruit set was quite low (17.1%), which is typical for this species. The pollination efficiency of C. guttatum was negatively affected by the high temperature during its flowering (the second decade of June). One box contained an average of 4065 seeds. The real seed productivity per shoot varied from 1989 to 7064 pcs., it is associated with precipitation in the second decade of July of the current growing season. The high number of the population studied (25 thousand shoots), the correspondence of the ontogenetic spectrum to the basic one of the species, the annual presence of juvenile plants of seed origin indicates its stable condition.

The End of the Energy War in Europe

The article traces the development of the confrontation and economic war between European countries and Russia in the energy sector following the start of Russian aggression in Ukraine. The main actions taken by Russia are outlined, which created an energy deficit in the energy markets and posed a significant risk to the energy security of European countries. The specific steps taken to stabilize the energy supply system and counter Russian policies are mentioned. Important instruments in energy policy are presented, including the “REPowerEU” plan and the decisions of the “Price Cap Coalition”. The effects of imposed sanctions on the Russian financial and economic system are analyzed, highlighting the low capacity of the Russian economy to compensate for the created deficits and limited opportunities for organizing alternative energy supplies. In conclusion, the main mistakes in Russia's energy strategy and energy policy are defined, leading to Russia's sustainable exclusion from the energy markets of Europe.

Study of the Impact of Climatic Changes in 1980–2021 on Railway Infrastructure in the Central and Western Russian Arctic Based on Advanced Electronic Atlas of Hydrometeorological Parameters (Version 2, 2023)

Arctic zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF) is the region of intensive economic development. In this regard, it is critical to give an adequate assessment of natural factors that may have a negative impact on the growing technological infrastructure. Rapid climate change effects show a significant influence on this activity, including the railway network development. Hence, the decision-making community requires relevant information on climatic variations that can put at hazard the construction and operation of railway facilities. This paper presents the analysis of climatic changes within the region of Central and Western Russian Arctic in 1980–2021. It was performed using the new electronic Atlas of climatic variations in main hydrometeorological parameters, created for the Russian Railways in 2023. This geoinformatic product includes about 400 digital maps reflecting the variability of seven climatic parameters over more than four decades within the studied region. These parameters are air temperature, total precipitation, wind speed, soil temperature, soil moisture content, air humidity, and snow cover thickness. The analysis of climatic maps and their comparison between selected periods showed spatial and temporal heterogeneity of climatic variations in this region. This justifies the feasibility of further research using additional analytical instruments, such as Hovmöller diagrams, time series graphs, etc. The implementation of advanced geoinformatic products in the practice of the Russian Railways will facilitate sustainable development of its infrastructure in rapidly altering climatic conditions.

Лесные типологии в Российской Федерации

The aim of the work is to conduct a comparative analysis of the main Russian forest type classifications: forest-ecological classification by E.V. Alekseev – P.S. Pogrebnyak, phytocoenotic classification by V.N. Sukachev, genetic classification by B.A. Ivashkevich – B.P. Kolesnikov and dynamic one by I.S. Melekhov. The comparison is made on the following positions: the content of the concept of classification unit (type of habitat conditions, forest type); peculiarities of the classification unit boundary; classification features for determining the type of habitat conditions; distinctive features of phytocenosis classification for establishing the forest type; the degree of consideration of successional dynamics of forest plantations and the influence of anthropogenic factors; the level of implementation in forestry practice and regions of implementation. It is established that during the development of forest typologies the idea of forest type changed from a forest area that is homogeneous in composition, structure and appearance (homogeneity in space) in natural classifications to the idea of forest type with the priority of homogeneity in origin (genesis), development processes and dynamics (homogeneity in time) in comparison with the homogeneity of composition and structure in genetic and dynamic typologies. The geographical distribution of forest-ecological, phytocenotic and genetic classifications of forest types in the Russian Federation at the present moment is given. Forest-ecological classifications are used mainly in the southern regions of the European Russia and in the North Caucasus. Forest typologies based on the genetic approach to forest type classification are used in Western Siberia, in the south of the Far East and Eastern Siberia, and in some regions of the Urals. In the rest of the Russian Federation, phytocenotic classifications of forest types are used. The unification of existing typologies into a single classification is possible on the basis of the genetic approach, as natural typologies within the framework of this approach can be a component of genetic classifications. The solution of the problem of combining the use of different typologies in one region will provide the level of forest inventory, allowing to optimize forest management and compare the obtained data both for the subjects of the Russian Federation and for the country as a whole. For citation: Fomin V.V., Ivanova N.S., Zalesov S.V., Popov A.S., Mikhailovich A.P. Forest Typologies in the Russian Federation. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 6, pp. 9–30. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-6-9-30

Changes in the parameters of extreme temperature events in the western part of the Russian Arctic according to ERA5 and MERRA-2 reanalyses in 1980–2022

The air temperature in the Arctic zone of Russia is increasing at a rate of 0.71 °C per decade, which is three times faster than the global average. The warming of climate is accompanied by an increase in its extremeness, which leads to an increase in the number of dangerous hydrometeorological phenomena. The most significant changes occurred in the statistics of large-scale summer heat waves in European Russia. One of the most important goals in studying current climate changes is to study the frequency of extreme hydrometeorological phenomena, in particular, heat or cold waves. In this paper, we investigate the average daily anomalies relative to the annual variation of air temperature at a height of 2 meters from the surface in the region of the western part of the Russian Arctic (60°–75° N, 30°–85° E), according to ERA5 and MERRA-2 atmospheric reanalyses for the period 1980–2022. Their root-mean-square deviations and the distribution of their average number per year are calculated. We have plotted the fields of average values and the rate of changes in the amplitude, duration and number of anomalous temperature events which exceed two standard deviations in the study region. Areas of increase and decrease in the amplitude, duration and number of extreme events, both with positive and negative temperature anomalies, are displayed. In general, it can be concluded that, on average, the amplitudes of positive extreme air temperature anomalies in the study area slightly increase. The duration of positive extreme anomalies is growing everywhere at a rate of 0.2 days per 10 years. The duration of negative extreme anomalies slightly decreases. The number of events with negative extreme anomalies has been decreasing at a rate of –0.5 to –3 events per year for 10 years, while the number of events with positive extreme anomalies has been increasing from 0.1 to 1 events per year for 10 years.The results obtained significantly expand our knowledge of the spatiotemporal features of the ongoing changes in the extreme climate of the western part of the Russian Arctic, which is of paramount importance for the analysis and forecasting of the development of natural and socio-economic systems in the region under study.

Genogeographic technologies of a population biobank as a tool for assessing selection effects (using the example of pharmacogenetic biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases)

Significant differences between the gene pools of Russian peoples require the development of ethno- regional adapted pharmacogenetic tests and the identification of priority regions for their implementation.Aim. To develop a genogeographic technology to identify selection effects using the example of biomarkers that are significant for pharmacotherapy of patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), using a population biobank and the Pharmacogenetics of Populations of Russia and Adjacent Countries database.Material and methods. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples from the Biobank of Northern Eurasia from 20 metapopulations of the indigenous population of the European Russia were studied using two following data sets: 24 pharmacogenetic markers of CVDs (3170 samples); 1 276 191 polymorphic DNA markers of the autosomal genome (1293 samples). For each data set, estimates of interpopulation variability in the gene pool are provided — the difference between these estimates characterizes the selection pressure on each of the 24 CVD biomarkers. A genogeographic atlas has been created, the maps of which demonstrate the selection pressure on each biomarker according to the degree of deviation from the selective- neutral variability of the gene pool.Results. Twenty-four CVD biomarkers are divided into three following classes: those close to selective- neutral variability, those subject to stabilizing and differentiating selection. For each of the 24 CVD biomarkers, genogeographic maps were created that reveal selection effects in each of the 20 metapopulations. Most maps have identified populations that are under differential selection pressure and therefore a priority for the implementation of ethno- regionally adapted pharmacogenetic protocols.Conclusion. Pharmacogenetic markers and populations under differential selection require the development of ethno- regionally adapted pharmacogenetic tests. The created cartographic atlas of selection can serve as the basis for pharmacogenetic studies carried out using genogeographic methods.

Overview of Helminths in Land Vertebrates from the Mordovia Nature Reserve, European Russia

In this study, we summarized our own and literature data on the helminth fauna in amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals inhabiting the Mordovia Nature Reserve (European Russia). The history of research on parasitic worms in vertebrates has more than 70 years here. Nowadays, 242 species of helminths have been identified in vertebrates in this protected area: 54 cestodes, 87 trematodes, 98 nematodes, and 3 acanthocephalans. Of these, 169 helminth species have an indirect life cycle, while 73 develop directly. 217 revealed parasite species use vertebrates as definitive hosts and 21 as intermediate and/or parathenic hosts. Three species of trematodes, Gorgoderina vitelliloba, Haplometra cylindracea, and Opisthioglyphe ranae combine the larval and mature lifestyle stages in amphibians. The most diverse helminth fauna is in rodents (41 species), birds (38), artiodactyls (37), and insectivores (35). Less rich in amphibians (32), bats (32), reptiles (26), and carnivores (19). Only six parasite species are found in hares. Most of the helminth species recorded in the vertebrates of the Mordovia Nature Reserve belong to the Palearctic faunistic complex – 107 species. Fifty-eight species are cosmopolitan. The range of 39 species covers the Holarctic. The distribution of 37 species of helminths is limited to Europe. Seventy-three of 242 species found in the nature reserve’s vertebrates have medical and veterinary importance as potential pathogens of dangerous zoonoses.

Morphological Variability in Chondrilla Taxon Populations in European Russia and Adjacent Territories

Morphological Variability in Chondrilla Taxon Populations in European Russia and Adjacent Territories

Impact of the Hunting Ban on the Population and Hunting Bag of the Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola (Scolopacidae, Aves) in European Russia

Impact of the Hunting Ban on the Population and Hunting Bag of the Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola (Scolopacidae, Aves) in European Russia

Smallpox vaccination in the Orenburg province

Author studies the history of smallpox vaccination in the Orenburg province of the second half of the 19th – early 20th centuries. Vaccination is considered against the background of the incidence of smallpox. The development of Immunization on this eastern outskirts was characterized by positive (albeit unstable) dynamics and slower pace than in European Russia. The reasons for this situation were covered in organizational troubles and lay in the presence of anti-vaxxer groups (non-russians («inorodcy»), Cossacks, Old Believers («staroobrjadcy»), migrants). The First World War negatively affected the results of immunization and the development of smallpox epidemics in the region.
 For citation: Golikova S.V. Smallpox vaccination in the Orenburg province. From History and Culture of Peoples of the Middle Volga Region. 2023, vol.13, no.3, pp.60–77. https://doi.org/10.22378/2410-0765.2023-13-3.60-77 (In Russian)

The evolution of the European Union’s eastern neighbourhood since the Russia-Ukraine war

This concise paper explores the intricate relationship between thedynamics of the European Union and Russia’s interests in Europe, emphasizingthe advantages perceived by Russia in a weakened EU. The paper is comprisedof three sections: firstly, it examines the collapse of the Soviet Unionand its impact on newly independent states, establishing the geopoliticallandscape. The subsequent section traces Russia’s foreign policy leading tothe 2022 conflict with Ukraine, with a focus on Ukraine’s pivotal role as a geopoliticalflashpoint. The final section explores the dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine war, specifically addressing the European Union’s role in security.The paper concludes by addressing the 2022 escalation, marked by Russia’sfull-scale invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the imperative of understandingUkraine’s status as a geopolitical flashpoint. Overall, the paper contributes toa nuanced comprehension of the evolving geopolitical landscape, its implicationsfor regional stability, and international relations.

Climate Effect on Carbon, Phytomass, and Litter Stocks in Forest Stands in the South of European Russia

Climate Effect on Carbon, Phytomass, and Litter Stocks in Forest Stands in the South of European Russia

Territorial Assessment and Prioritization for Biodiversity Conservation Using the Example of the Center of European Russia

Territorial Assessment and Prioritization for Biodiversity Conservation Using the Example of the Center of European Russia

The Taiga Shrew (Sorex isodon, Eulipotyphla) in the Northeastern Part of European Russia: Distribution, Habitats, and Abundance

The Taiga Shrew (Sorex isodon, Eulipotyphla) in the Northeastern Part of European Russia: Distribution, Habitats, and Abundance

Are “Bear Corners” Homogeneous: Differentiation of Regions Along the Vologda–Kostroma Border

The article considers a strip of municipal districts on the border of Kostroma and Vologda oblasts–a territory that simultaneously belongs to the periphery of both regions, the periphery of economic regions and modern federal districts, and the inner periphery of European Russia. The territories under consideration are part of the old-developed non-Chernozem zone, which is characterized by rapid depopulation and shrinkage of the developed space. The purpose of the study is to identify the spatial differentiation of areas along the border and its role in the formation of differences between the territories. Various methods were used: the study of historical maps, the analysis of modern statistics, methods of qualitative sociology, and field observations. The study showed the predominantly barrier function of the regional border, largely due to physical and geographical reasons–the watershed of the Volga and White Sea basins and the configuration of rivers along which local systems historically formed rural settlement pattern and transport corridors. The historical multidirectional spatial gravity of regions on different sides of the border, combined with institutional barriers, led to the differentiation of economic and social processes in municipal regions. Thus, the socioeconomic indicators of the regions on the Vologda side of the border are generally more prosperous and differ less from each other than on the Kostroma side. The study also revealed an extremely important role that interregional routes could play. With a general trend towards a reduction in the rural population and fragmentation of the local economy, the territories on both sides of the border are heterogeneous, and various combinations of place functions are formed. At the same time, it is premature to attribute a strip of peripheral territory in relation to many centers to the zone of a spontaneously formed natural reserve.

The Rodent Fauna of the Second Half of the Late Holocene in Northeastern European Russia

The Rodent Fauna of the Second Half of the Late Holocene in Northeastern European Russia

Mass Reproduction Outbreaks of Phyllophagous Insects in Forests of the Northwest of European Russia

Mass Reproduction Outbreaks of Phyllophagous Insects in Forests of the Northwest of European Russia

Patterns of Macrozoobenthos Distribution in Some Rivers of European Russia and Adjacent Regions

Patterns of Macrozoobenthos Distribution in Some Rivers of European Russia and Adjacent Regions

Geographic variations of song and rain calls of the Chaffinch across the ranges of three subspecies

Abstract We analyze the variability of the Chaffinch’s (Fringilla coelebs) song and rain calls in 20 populations localized along a transect of about 3,000 km, crossing the territory of European Russia between the White Sea, Crimean Peninsula and the Caucasus Mountains. Three subspecies of Chaffinch inhabit this area: European (F. c. coelebs), Caucasian (F. c. caucasicus), and Crimean (F. c. solomkoi). The results of cluster analysis based on song show that the populations of Crimea and southeastern Dagestan stand out the most. All other populations fall clearly into two clusters corresponding to the European and Caucasian subspecies. In most of the European subspecies vast range in Russia, the “buzzing” dialect of the rain call is widespread. Only in the extreme northwest of Russia, it is replaced by a whistling dialect. In most of the Caucasus and in the Ciscaucasia, Chaffinches also emit exclusively whistling sounds, but of a completely different structure. In the Western Caucasus, Chaffinches perform also a whistling call having a unique two-syllable structure. The Crimean peninsula is inhabited by whistling Chaffinches as well, although the frequency modulation of its call is different from that of Caucasian subspecies. We discuss the spatial distribution of song types and of rain calls dialects within the ranges of subspecies and in the contact zones between them.