Northern Caspian Region Research Articles

Reclamation stages and modern use of arid lands in the northern Caspian region

This article describes the main reclamation stages of arid lands in the northern Caspian region and modern methods of adaptive environmental engineering. It also proves the importance of the correct proportion of human and biological resources, which is maintained, in particular, by means of a new method of ameliorative afforestation.

Использование ГИС-технологий и методов ДЗЗ при анализе пространственного распределения опустынивания на территории Северного Прикаспия

Использование ГИС-технологий и методов ДЗЗ при анализе пространственного распределения опустынивания на территории Северного Прикаспия

Russian

Russian

Paleodynamics of the southern margin of the East European craton

The tectonic and geodynamic evolution of the southern European part of Russia from the Donets Basin (Donbas) and the northern Caspian region in the north to the Mountainous Crimea and the Greater Caucasus in the south is considered. This territory embraces the southern margin of the East-European craton and the northern periphery of the Tethys Ocean, which originated in the Neoproterozoic, as well as its marginal seas till the formation of the modern Azov-Black Sea and Caspian basins.

THE EVOLUTION OF CLIMATE AND LANDSCAPES OF THE LOWER VOLGA REGION DURING THE HOLOCENE

The results of the palynological analysis and 14 C dating of the most complete sequences of the Holocene sediments were used for a detailed reconstruction of multi-cyclic alternations of climate phases and zonal and intrazonal plant formations that were taking place the Lower Volga region during the last ten thousand years. Twenty-six phases in evolution of the natural environment during the Holocene were distinguished. Landscape-climatic characteristics and chronological boundaries were identified for these phases. Reconstructed paleoclimatic stages were correlated to the Holocene transgressions and regressions in the Caspian Sea region. The model developed for periodization of climatic events may serve as a climato-stratigraphical framework for future paleogeographical studies of the Holocene in the Northern Caspian region.

Gas-chemical complex for processing hydrocarbon materials of the northern Caspian region

Gas-chemical complex for processing hydrocarbon materials of the northern Caspian region

The diel dynamics of vertical migrations in hortobiontic spiders (Aranei) in the clay semidesert of the northern Caspian region

The diel periodicity of vertical migrations of herbage-dwelling spiders has been studied in natural habitats of clay semidesert of the northern Caspain (Transvolga) region. Steppe habitats (microdepressions) and desert habitats (microelevations) are shown to have much in common: the abundance and the family composition of spider populations of both biotopes are similar; they slightly differ only during the hot summer season. The amplitude of diel fluctuations in spider abundance is relatively great, which is typical of open cenoses under semiarid conditions. In spring and autumn, the peaks of spider abundance in both types of habitats are at night, when air temperature is minimal. In summer, in addition to the nighttime abundance peaks, there are daytime peaks of similar size, due mostly to the increased activity of “southern” taxa, the Thomisidae in desert associations and the Thomisidae + Salticidae in steppe associations. The diel periodicity of vertical migrations in hortobiontic spiders is a complicated phenomenon determined by a number of factors. It is to some extent conditioned by environmental parameters and by vertical migrations of their potential prey, phytophagous insects. Thus, the ecological niches in spiders of different taxa are separated in time according to their morphological and behavioral adaptation to climatic conditions. This separation probably alleviates competition between populations of different taxa.

Impact of Air Transport on Seasonal Variations and Trends of Surface Ozone at Kislovodsk High Mountain Station

The impact of air transport on the surface ozone variations is analyzed at Kislovodsk High Mountain Station for the period 1989–1996 on the basis of 2D back trajectories. It was shown that the contribution of photochemical and dynamical processes is different for the different seasons. In summer months the surface ozone concentration is governed by photochemical ozone production in semi polluted air from the regions of Northern Caspian, Southern Ural and Volga region. Time of the seasonal ozone maximum appearance is defined by joint influence of the processes of photochemical production and destruction in the eastern sectors and advection from Ukraine and Central Europe. The value of the seasonal minimum is determined by the processes of ozone destruction in the air coming from northeastern direction in the stable frontal zone. Distribution of sectors of the air transport changes from year to year and it can partly explain strong negative trend of the surface ozone concentration at the site.

Фитоэкологическое картографирование Северного Прикаспия

Фитоэкологическое картографирование Северного Прикаспия