Natural Territories Research Articles

Monitoring of Anthropogenic Impact on the Baikal Natural Territory: munisipal Level

The purpose of the presented study is to develop a methodology for assessing the anthropogenic impact on the environment in the municipalities of the Baikal Natural Territory (BNT) and applying the obtained methodology to the studied territory. The article analyzes the existing methodological approaches to the assessment of anthropogenic impact on the environment. To carry out a comprehensive integrated assessment, the authors proposed an algorithm for calculating the anthropogenic impact index based on 22 indicators integrated into 7 subindexes (impact on the atmosphere, water and forest resources, agricultural impact, solid waste, disturbed lands and objects of accumulated harm, as well as background impact).The weight of the indicators was determined by interviewing experts representing the scientific community (leading experts in the field of integrated assessments of certain types of impacts or specialists in the field of environmental problems of the BNT), the expert community (leading analytical agencies developing environmental ratings), as well as the environmental management system of the regions included in the BNT. The inertial nature of the anthropogenic impact characteristic of municipalities within the boundaries of the BNT, as well as the general tendency to reduce the impact, has been revealed. At the same time, the absence of positive changes in the environmental state was noted, especially characteristic of the largest impact centers with their inherent unfavorable environment, which suggests the need to take measures to reduce the impact. The advantage of the methodology proposed by the authors can be considered the possibility of extending monitoring in the future, which opens up the possibility of using this algorithm to assess the environmental situation and form environmental policy priorities. The analysis of the results confirmed the quality of the integrated assessment methodology and showed that the districts, cities and towns of the BNT are highly polarized in terms of the level of anthropogenic impact concentrated in certain areas, primarily in the zone of atmospheric influence. The main strengthening of the AI is characteristic of municipalities located along transport corridors, the axis of which is the Trans-Siberian Railway, The Baikal–Amur Mainline and the «Power of Siberia» gas pipeline.

Экологический туризм на особо охраняемых природных территориях: рекреационная деятельность и охрана окружающей среды

The article deals with the problems of the legal regulation of the organisation of the tourist and recreational activities in specially protected natural areas. Traditionally implemented in specially protected natural territories, the task of preserving unique natural complexes and biodiversity in isolated conditions is currently being transformed into the practical task of integrating them into the socio-economic space. Ecological tourism combines recreational, educational and investment activities in specially protected natural areas in the most effective way and is based on environmental principles. The article explores the legal mechanisms that ensure a simultaneous effective combination of the protection of specially protected natural territories and the implementation of tourism activities in the context of sustainable development goals: unique regime of protection and use for each category of specially protected natural areas; environmental restrictions and prohibitions on the implementation of activities in such areas; zoning their territory; their maximum permissible recreational capacity.

К вопросу о правовом режиме земель лечебно-оздоровительных местностей и курортов

This article examines the uncertainty surrounding the legal regime of therapeutic and health areas and resorts. Opposing legal attitudes at both the executive and judicial levels have been identified. One approach is based on extending the legal regime of specially protected natural territories to therapeutic and health areas and resorts created before 30 December 2013. The other confers on them an independent legal regime, distinct from the regime of specially protected natural territories which is more demanding. The difference between these views manifests itself in addressing a number of issues. To ensure legal certainty, alternative recommendations are formulated for resolving the collision of opposite views regarding the legal regime of therapeutic and health areas and resorts through amendments to legislation.

Биоэкологическая характеристика уникальных природных и искусственных популяций дуба на полупустынных ландшафтах Волгоградской области

Биоэкологическая характеристика уникальных природных и искусственных популяций дуба на полупустынных ландшафтах Волгоградской области

Demographic Situation in the Baikal Region

The article deals with current issues and problems of demographic development of municipalities within the central ecological zone of the Baikal Natural Territory. The purpose of the study is to analyze demographic and migration processes under environmental restrictions. It is especially important to update the data and revise the general provisions on the presented processes in the context of global economic and political instability in the period 2014–2023. It is expected to obtain results indicating a change in demographic trends in the presented region. In the course of the study, data from the Federal State Statistics Service and an expert survey of the population of Irkutsk, Olkhon and Slyudyansky districts were analyzed. Cartographic materials fixing spatial features of demographic processes in eight municipalities of the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia are presented. The result of the work was a comprehensive view of the demographic and migration situation in the region under consideration. Updated statistical data of the entire Baikal region. The classification of the considered municipal districts and urban districts according to the parameters of natural and migration growth, gender and age composition of the population is carried out. As a result of the expert survey, most of the respondents were represented by residents of the Slyudyansky district. It is in this municipality that, apparently, socio-demographic problems are of the greatest concern to local governments. The work is of interest from the point of view of a comprehensive study of the demography of the entire territory of the Baikal region at this time stage. The analysis of the socio-demographic situation in the region together with the results of the expert survey can be used in the implementation of management initiatives.

STATUS AND DIRECTIONS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL PROTECTED AREAS OF THE ODESSA REGION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE "BLUE ECONOMY"

STATUS AND DIRECTIONS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL PROTECTED AREAS OF THE ODESSA REGION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE "BLUE ECONOMY"

Forest pathological condition of the forests of the Baikal natural territory

Forest pathological condition of the forests of the Baikal natural territory

GC-MS Analysis of Chemical Substances from Ethanolic Extract of Prosopis juliflora Leaves

The nutraceuticals in leaves are among the major contributors of their therapeutic relevance to human. This study evaluates the relevance of nutraceuticals obtained from the GC-MS analyses of ethanolic extracts of leaves of Prosopis juliflora. Leaves of Prosopis juliflora harvested from their natural territory and identified at the Plant Science Department of Mohmed Sathak A.J. College of Pharmacy, Sholinganallur, Chennai. Ethanol was used for extracting the crushed plant leaves (5 g) in order. Hot continuous soxhlet extraction was used to complete the extraction. The resulting extracts were kept at -4 °C until their next usage. The current investigation made use of ethanol extract. In the present investigation, the phytocomponents in the extracted substances were identified using the GC-MS method. Results shows 72 phytoconstituents in leaves of Prosopis juliflora, with gamma-Sitosterol, Epilupeol, Benzene methanol, 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-, as highest nutraceutical components with percentage concentrations of 12.94, 11.92 and 10.07 respectively. In order to improve human health, broad-spectrum pharmaceutical formulations are being developed that take advantage of the multiple therapeutic potentials of the main nutraceuticals found in Prosopis juliflora.

Shadow Aspects of Russian-Chinese Relations: Ways of Prevention on the Territory of the Baikal Region

In the context of increased foreign policy and foreign economic aggression of foreign countries against Russia in connection with recent events, the preservation and development of economic relations between our country and friendly countries is of particular importance. Russia currently receives the most significant support within the framework of economic cooperation with the People's Republic of China. However, today there are significant challenges and threats to economic security in this area, both for the Russian state as a whole and for its subjects, including the Baikal region. The article considers three shadow aspects of Russian-Chinese relations in the Baikal region: illegal logging and export of forests to China; construction of tourist camps and private homes of Chinese citizens on agricultural lands and specially protected natural territories; shadow sale of natural minerals of the Baikal region to the People's Republic of China. The analysis of indicators confirming the presence of the shadow sector within the framework of Russian-Chinese economic cooperation in the Baikal region is carried out. The authors of the article propose ways to minimize the shadow component of Russian-Chinese relations in the field of forest management, land use and subsoil use in the studied subjects of the Russian Federation.

Rational Use of Specially Protected Natural Areas of the Rostov Region, as Elements of the Ecological Framework of the Region

The unfavorable ecological situation, as a result of anthropogenic activity, contributed to the emergence of the need to protect natural massifs and the formation of specially protected natural territories (ООPT). Currently, protected areas perform the most important function of preserving and re-storing wildlife resources, thereby being the most effective mechanism for maintaining the ecological balance of territories and preserving natural biodiversity. The article deals with specially protected natural areas of the Rostov region as elements of the region's ecological framework system.

Оценка современного состояния авиалесоохранных работ на землях особо охраняемых природных территорий федерального значения

The assessment of air protection works on the lands of specially protected natural territories is presented. The disadvantages of aviation forest monitoring are considered. The analysis of the actual fire danger of forests on the lands of specially protected natural territories is carried out. To assess the risks of 111 specially protected natural territories for the period from 2002 to 2021, a retrospective analysis of the registered thermal points in the systems of space monitoring of forest fires of the information system of remote monitoring of Rosleshoz (ISDM-Rosleshoz) and FIRMS was made. The absence of fires in certain periods does not exclude the risks of their occurrence. Based on the analysis of thermal points, the predominance of spring fires was revealed. The description of the areas characterized by the occurrence of fires depending on the season of the year is given. The result of the analysis of the situation with the occurrence of forest fires on the lands of specially protected natural territories in the context of federal districts is presented. During the study of the forest protection system on the lands of specially protected natural territories, an expert assessment of the organizational structure, forms and composition of fire extinguishing teams, as well as the availability of fire extinguishing forces and means was carried out. The structure of forest fire formations, a communication and warning system for ground and aviation forces are analyzed. An expert assessment of the effectiveness of air patrol routes on the lands of specially protected natural territories was carried out. The problem of remoteness of aircraft bases has been identified. Solutions to problems for areas with low and high burnability are proposed. The problem of the absence of an approved unified methodology for assessing the probability of landscape (natural) fires on lands of other categories, from the territory of which there may be a threat of fire transfer to the lands of specially protected natural territories, is revealed. Proposals have been developed for the formation of optimal patrol routes for manned and unmanned aircraft

Applying the Experience of International Legal Protection of Belovezhskaya Forest to the Development of the Baikal Region Environmental Activities

The paper is structured by grouping environmental issues common to various World Heritage sites, including Belovezhskaya Forest and Lake Baikal. The paper highlights the problems of defining the boundaries of World Heritage Site (WHS); the WHS management practice; methods used in protection of the Belovezhskaya Forest to ensure the participation of the local population in the conservation of the WHS; issues of management and conservation of biodiversity on the territory of the WHS. In conclusion, the authors formulate proposals aimed at improving the conservation of Lake Baikal World Heritage site. In particular, it is concluded that among the immediate interests of the local population of the central ecological zone of the Baikal natural territory (especially those involved in the organization of the tourism business) is the popularization of the World Heritage protection regime, along with obstruction of the implementation of proposals to reduce the boundaries of the World Heritage site (including through the erroneous differentiation of the concepts «site» and «region» of the World Heritage). The prospects for using legal methods of interaction between public institutions and government authorities are indicated, including making proposals in accordance with the procedure established by law to improve the management of a World Heritage Site, as well as through the creation of advisory councils of local populations and indigenous peoples.

Правовой режим водно-болотных угодий

Introduction. Wetlands are of great environmental and economic value, which determines the search for a reasonable compromise on the organization of their rational use and protection. In this regard, the purpose of the study is to analyze the current norms of international and Russian environmental law regulating the legal regime of wetlands in Russia. Methods. The methodological framework for the research is the dialectical method of scientific cognition, as well as the method of system analysis, logical, and comparative legal methods. Results. The analysis has shown the value of the eco-network approach to the rational use and protection of wetlands, laid down in the Ramsar Convention and partially reproduced in the Water Code of the Russian Federation and other legal acts. Meanwhile, some existing gaps have been identified in the legal regulation of the use and protection of swamp ecosystems, including issues of accounting and ownership of them, which require appropriate solutions. Conclusions. The full implementation of Russia’s obligations under the Ramsar Convention requires the development of programs for the use and protection of wetlands, the legislative consolidation of additional measures to account for wetlands that are not included in the Ramsar list, but require measures to preserve them. It is necessary to normalize the very concept of wetlands, as well as to expand the list of permits and prohibitions that apply to this natural complex. It is hardly advisable to include all wetlands in specially protected natural territories, therefore, further development of the regime of “semi-protected” natural territories for wetlands is necessary, in which the subjects of the Russian Federation should participate more widely.

PROBLEMS OF LEGAL REGULATION OF PROVIDING TOURIST SERVICES IN SPECIALLY PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS

The development of tourism, including ecological tourism in specially protected natural areas, which is one of the priorities of state policy, has now been promoted by the foreign policy situation. This article analyzes the current problems of ecotourism from various points of view, both from environmentalists and from entrepreneurs. In order to settle disputes, it is necessary to finalize the draft Federal Law of the Russian Federation «On amendments to some Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation in order to organize activities for the implementation of ecological tourism in specially protected natural territories».

Features of land use and tourism and recreation activities in the territory of national nature parks

The article examines issues related to the peculiarities of the functioning of land use and the conduct of tourist and recreational activities on the territory of national natural parks. The essence of the concept of “nature protection territories” was determined and the trend of development of nature protection territories was analyzed. The main functions are justified, which are to protect the environment and contribute to the comprehensive development of territories. It was determined that the core of nature conservation areas consists of the territories and objects of the nature reserve fund, which include 11 categories on the territory of Ukraine. The assessment of the formation and functioning of nature protection territories was carried out on the example of Odesa region, and the study of the peculiarities of land use and tourist and recreational activities was carried out on the example of the local territory of the Nizhny Dniester National Park, which is determined by the species diversity of birds, the Dniester delta occupies one of the first places among the most valuable natural territories in Europe . An assessment of the functional zoning of the NPP territory was carried out and the allocated zones: protected — 44.07 %; regulated recreation — 35.62 %; stationary recreation — 0.05 %; economic — 20.26 % of the total territory of the park. Grounded features of land use and the conduct of tourist, recreational and economic activities within each of the functional zones.

Review of the current state of territorial nature protection in Siberia and Mongolia

The large-area intracontinental territory discussed in the article has similarities of physical-geographical and socio-demographic parameters, as well as the attitude to them as «resource colonies». The Siberian and Mongolian parts differ significantly politically, which affects the institutional and managerial characteristics and the formation of territorial nature protection, which is implemented in the activities of specially protected natural areas. The analysis of the existing systems of protected areas of Siberia and Mongolia, their structure, legislative bases is given. Maps of protected areas have been compiled, demonstrating their distribution in Mongolia and Siberia, based on statistical data as of 2021, previously published author's thematic atlases and field studies for the period 1999-2022. An aspect that brings the systems closer together is shown – the presence and planning of interstate transboundary protected natural territories. The conclusion is made about the existing more effective system of Mongolian protected areas.

Рекреационное лесопользования в регионах Северной Азии (на примере Республики Бурятии)

The results of a study of the recreational use of forests in the Republic of Buryatia are presented in the article. A comparative description of the forest resources of the Republic and Russia is given, the high value of its forests is emphasized. The importance of recreational forest use among other types of forest use in the Republic of Buryatia is shown. The analysis of the dynamics of the forest fund plots lease for recreational purposes, which showed a decrease in the number of tenants and in the area of leased plots was made in the article. It was revealed that this is mainly due to the influence of restrictive measures due to the coronavirus pandemic. It has been established that in the general structure of tenants the majority are private enterprises. There are significantly fewer state-owned enterprises and organizations among tenants, but their number remains stable. A comparative analysis allows us to state that more than 60.0 % of forest fund tenants for recreational purposes are located within the boundaries of four districts of the Republic of Buryatia, which are part of the central ecological zone of the Baikal natural territory. The analysis of the use of the forest lands for recreational purposes suggests that they are mainly used for the construction and operation of collective accommodation facilities for tourists. Differences in the nature of the use are highlighted of the forest land lease for recreational purposes and under contracts of permanent (perpetual) use. A high proportion of tenants of forest land for recreational purposes requires monitoring of the level of recreational loads. The inconsistency of the actions of state bodies, the imperfection of the existing legislative and regulatory framework threatens the state of forest resources in the republic due to the spontaneous development of tourism. It is necessary to further study the existing problems of recreational forest use and develop a set of measures for its rationalization.

Regional environmental governance of protected natural territories in the European North: Russia, Finland, and Norway, and the case of Pasvik-Inari Trilateral Park

This article explores how international organizations (IOs), national governments, and regional actors interact in the field of nature conservation in the European Arctic, focusing on Russia. I also reveal the unequal role of Indigenous communities, which are stakeholders in protected nature territories in the Arctic but receive limited attention in research.I present the case of the Pasvik-Inari Trilateral Park, which in 2008 received Europarc Certification as a result of long-term international cooperation dating back to the 1990s. The park consists of five protected natural areas: three in Norway, one in Russia and one in Finland. The areas have different organizational forms and restrictions on human activities, and the efforts of IOs such as the Europarc Federation to increase cooperation and coordination among them in conservation projects, research initiatives, and international travel for tourists, have had only partial success.I apply insights from regional analysis to discuss how governance at international, national, and local levels shape the practices and ideas of nature conservation in the different parts of Pasvik-Inari. The article also addresses the role of Indigenous environmental knowledge and nature use in protected natural territories in the Arctic. The paper contributes to the special issue on regional environmental governance by expanding the regional focus toward Russia and by stressing the significant relations between Indigenous communities and nature that should be taken into consideration in Arctic environmental governance.

Информационно-вычислительные ресурсы ИРНОК: инфраструктура, данные, приложения

В статье представлены этапы развития информационно-вычислительной и телекоммуникационной инфраструктуры Иркутского научно-образовательного комплекса в период с 2008 по 2022 г. Показано развитие инфраструктуры: сети передачи данных, систем хранения данных, виртуализации, вычислительных ресурсов, в том числе оборудования Иркутского суперкомпьютерного центра. Abstract The Integrated information and computing network of the Irkutsk scientific and educational complex (IICN IREC) is the basic technological platform for most interdisciplinary research conducted by scientific organizations of the Irkutsk region. The article presents the stages of development of the information, computing and telecommunications infrastructure of the IICN IREC in the period from 2008 to 2022. The main directions of modernization of IREC were: the development of a communication network, the deployment of a virtualization platform, data storage system and GPU cluster. The Irkutsk supercomputer center (ISCC) of the SB RAS, which interacts with IREC, has also been developed. The most significant stage in the development of the ISCC was the implementation of the project to create a new generation computing cluster, named after the first organizing director of the institute, Academician V.M. Matrosov. The effectiveness of the created information and computing infrastructure is shown on the example of the implementation of two major integration projects. These are the projects “Fundamental research and breakthrough technologies as the basis for the advanced development of the Baikal region and its interregional relations” (2016–2019) and “Fundamental foundations, methods and technologies for digital monitoring and forecasting of the environmental situation in the Baikal natural territory (BNT)” (2020–2022). More than a dozen institutions have taken part in these projects. To support interdisciplinary research, tools that ensure effective interaction of researchers with the IREC information and computing infrastructure have been developed at the ISDCT SB RAS. Among them are Geoportal, Digital Platform for Monitoring of BNT and Orlando Tools. As part of the projects, a large array of various formats data on the state of the region was collected and computationally complex problems were solved. The integration of heterogeneous scientific data and the possibility of processing them with high-performance computing tools open up new opportunities for obtaining new breakthrough results.

Economic and Technical Aspects of the Use of Wood Waste Gasification Power Plants in Decentralized Nature Protection Areas: The Example of the Natural Territory of Lake Baikal

The studies on the assessment of the economic efficiency of local gasifier biomass power plants for power supply to 5 settlements located in the Central Ecological Zone of the Baikal Natural Territory are presented. Various schemes of operation of power plants using biomass as the main fuel (chips or pellets) and options for combined operation with a diesel power plant are considered. The calculation of the normalized cost of electricity for each case is carried out. It is shown that wood chips, as the cheapest wood fuel, it is advisable to reach a distance of no more than 115 km and 180 km compared to pellets and diesel fuel, respectively.