Every year a variety of vector-borne infectious diseases claims the lives of millions of people worldwide. The study of the favorable conditions for their vectors and hosts is a particularly important task for understanding the patterns of the distribution with the focus on the urban environment, characterizing by a high population density and rapid transmission of the diseases. The existing methodology of Local Climate Zones (LCZ), which are areas with homogeneous land surface coverage, structure, and a specific nature of human activity was the first attempt to standardize urban environmental studies and has become an international standard for the analysis of urban morphology. The article provides an algorithm for adapting the methodology of identifying LCZ accounting vegetation and water areas for the tasks of medical geographical zoning and assessment of epidemiological risks and using the geographic information technology. The examples of the outbreaks of vivax malaria in the Moscow region in 1999–2003 and West Nile fever in the Volgograd region in 2010–2011 were used. As a result, a methodology of medical geographical zoning based on the idea of fragmenting the classification of LCZ using the normalized difference water index as indicator of the favorability for vector habitats was developed. The use of the methodology made it possible to reveal that the areas of various LCZs change after outbreaks, which may reflect changes in conditions and an increase in the favorability for vectors. Thus, LCZ can be used as indicators of changes in the natural and man-made environment that can provoke disease outbreaks.

The Mongolian–Transbaikalian region of the Central Asia is known for its wide range of intracontinental ecosystems from desert through steppe to taiga forest and mountain tundra. Data on the isotopic composition of carbon and nitrogen in the bone and dental tissues of herbivorous animals inhabiting the desert, steppe, and forest–steppe landscapes of Outer Mongolia and Western Transbaikalia are presented. The maximum values of the carbon isotope ratio are observed in animals from the desert (Gobi Desert) and the semi-desert landscapes, median (mean) δ¹³C is -17.9‰. The minimum values of δ¹³C were obtained by herbivorous animals of the forest-steppe and the forest landscapes (Transbaikalia), which median δ¹³C is -23‰. The fauna of the steppes (median δ¹³C is -21.7‰) has intermediate values of the carbon isotopic composition. According to the isotope composition of nitrogen, the isotope-geochemical isolation of ecosystems is less pronounced.

Mangrove ecosystem has an important role in reducing carbon in the environment. There has been massive conversion of mangrove area into ponds and buildings in the current period. Therefore, the species diversity and carbon sequestration capacity of the mangrove ecosystem must be evaluated to monitor its function. This research aims to evaluate the species diversity and the sequestered carbon in the mangrove ecosystem of Karimunjawa National Park (KNP), Indonesia. The species analysis in the 3 research sites, 9 transects, and 27 plots (10 m × 10 m) that was obtained using the quadrat sampling method. Allometric equations, Shannon–Wiener, and evenness indices were used to estimate the standing biomass and carbon, species diversity, and distribution, respectively. The sediment samples were obtained at a depth of 100 cm and divided into three depths, namely, 0–33, 34–67, and 68–100 cm. The carbon content of mangrove sediments was analyzed in the laboratory using the Walkley–Black method. The results revealed that mangroves in the KNP have moderate diversity and even distribution. The estimated carbon in the mangrove stand was 146.22 t C ha^–1 and the estimated carbon stock in the sediment was around 360.61 t C ha–1. Although the mangrove ecosystem in Karimunjawa National Park is still in a stable condition, it is necessary to monitor its changes due to the anthropogenic activities.

Poisonous plants are a collective group of plants of various systematic categories that contain phytotoxins that pose a potential danger to humans and animals. A number of publications both in Russia and abroad are devoted to the problem of patterns of distribution of plants hazardous to human health in connection with environmental factors. This work is a continuation of research into the spread of plants dangerous to humans in Russia. The aim of this work is ecological and geographical analysis of poisonous plants distribution in biomes of the Far East in Russia. Resulted from the research work on the territory of the far-eastern biomes of Russia we revealed 87 the most toxic vascular plant species that belong to 21 plant families. Some of the most poisonous plants of the Russian flora are plants of the genus Aconitum, of the family (Ranunculaceae). About 70 species of this genus grow in Russia, of which 40 are found only in the Far East, since this territory is considered the center of botanical diversity of the genus in question. The cartographical analysis showed that the highest number of poisonous plant species could be found in the south-east regions – in Primorye, the basin of Ussuri river, in the lower and middle course of the river Amur. Based on a map of Russian biomes, optimal habitats for poisonous plants were identified. Maximum number of Aconitum species, as the most poisonous genus of Russian flora, is in the mountain biomes and in the plain forest-steppe biomes in the Amur basin. The types of ecosystems with the maximum abundance and diversity of poisonous plants have been identified. The species richness distribution shows the concentration of poisonous plant species in small mountain biomes and in arid-like biomes. Correlation analysis of relationships between the number of plant species and climatic factors revealed the significant closeness of the correlation with the average annual air temperature (0,66). Maximum correlation closeness appeared to be between number of poisonous plant species per 10 000 km² and total number of vascular plants per 10 000 km² (0,81).

Compared to pristine ecosystems, urban protected areas (PAs) are exposed to intensified pressure and deterioration due to rapid population growth and entangled stakeholders’ interests. At the same time, these valuable ecosystems provide cities with ecosystem services, including cultural ones, and enhance the quality of life. Spatial analysis of PAs’ transformations in the context of the multidisciplinary approach contributes to the detection and safeguarding of vulnerable ecosystems. The study object is the protected areas of Moscow megapolis (within boundaries until 2012), whereas the study subject is the spatial and temporal PA’s transformations established by legislative acts. The research question is to devise a model of transformations designated by law within urban PAs and affecting their borders, land use, and rate of ecosystem deterioration. To achieve the research question, three goals were set: to gather spatial data on PAs’ transformations within Moscow designated by legislative acts; to design a comprehensive and exhaustive classification of PAs’ transformations established by legislative acts; to model spatial and temporal trends in transformations of Moscow PAs (1985-2022), according to the classification devised. The 3-compound framework for the analysis of legislative transformations (downgrading, downsizing, degazettment of protected areas) was coupled by content analysis of transformation events, GIS mapping, and spatial analysis of urban vegetation through NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) estimations and raster computations in QGIS and GDAL software. The originality of our study derives from: the analysis of the 4th transformations’ compound (design failures of new PAs); spatial comparison with positive transformations, strengthening nature conservation; uncovering detailed subtypes and levels of transformations; applying this approach to the local scale of megapolis. Our study is based on: 1985-2022 legislative acts with text and map representations of PAs’ borders, zones and land-use designated by regional government and national ministries; national and Moscow open-access spatial data hubs; Moscow online news; 2001-2021 Landsat imageries and Global Forest Change data on Moscow region. Adverse transformations affected a larger area than positive ones (53.8% of a total PA area compared to 22.6%). Positive transformations contributed by PAs’ design (49.5%) mostly, while adverse ones – by easing of restrictions on land use (60.3%) and failures in the design of new PAs (22.8%). Adverse transformations are mainly reflected in the downsizing of zones with the strictest prohibitions on land use (-68% on average) and a low share of designed PAs (54%) through the period 1985-2022. Woodland plantations dramatically expanded (+86.5%), replacing seminatural urban forests (2005-2021). Hence, PA’s ability to supply ecosystem services has been considerably diminished. In regard to Moscow, considerable adverse trends in nature protection were revealed, generally hidden from the public. The analyzed typology of Moscow PAs’ transformations is quite conventional and may be improved through comparisons with other megapolises abundant in natural heritage to advance the model devised and elicit threats to nature conservation.

A river is a naturally formed freshwater stream that traverses land and eventually flows into a lake, sea, or another body of water. River provides fresh water for human activities such as irrigation for their paddy fields, aquaculture, industrial purposes, and many other purposes. At the same time, there exists an inherent disparity in the demand, availability, and quality of river water, often giving rise to significant challenges and issues. Environmental experts, commonly use a multivariate statistical method such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Storage and Retrieval (STORET), and cluster analysis for water quality analysis. However, those methods are numerical and limited in spatial visualization. Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation, Voronoi, and Kriging were applied to obtain the spatial representation of water quality distribution Welang, Gembong, and Rejoso rivers in Pasuruan as study. The objectives are to locate on a map any river segments that experienced poor water quality throughout the observation period. We successively combined STORET with those spatial interpolation. The result shows that IDW interpolation, Voronoi, and Kriging can visualize and map river segments that had poor water quality during the observation time. However, due to the limited input data, the interpolation results exhibit variability. For instance, at a measured location with a STORET value of -28, IDW yielded -28, Voronoi -28, and Kriging -27. Beyond the measurement points, each interpolation method began to produce less accurate values. This study involves interpolating dynamic objects with limited measurements data in narrow channels, which differs from interpolating elevation in broader area, in terms of the accuracy of representation or visualization obtained from this spatial analysis still remain unresolved in this study.

Climate change observed in the Arctic affects all components of the natural environment, including the state of permafrost. The purpose of this study is to quantify the response of permafrost in various landscapes to changing climatic parameters. The results of long-term field observations (1978-2021) of the thermal regime of permafrost on the Western Yamal are presented. Along with the increase in mean annual air temperatures, the mean annual ground temperature over the past 43 years has increased by 1.5-2.2°C. The maximum increase of permafrost temperature values is observed on flat and polygonal tundra, the minimum increase is typical for flooded lake basins. A decrease in the annual permafrost temperature amplitude was revealed. That is caused by a rapid increase in the air temperature of the cold period, an increase in the snow thickness and an increase in soil moisture in the active layer. The shrinking in ground temperature amplitude at a depth of 5 m is 0.5-3.6°C. A trend of reducing depth of zero annual amplitude from 12-18 m (1980) to 13-16 m (2021) has been revealed.

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.

The current study aimed to determine the potential sources of distant emissions of PM₁₀ particles that significantly affect PM10 levels at a given site in southeastern Baltic. The EEA Air Quality Monitoring Station in Elk City, northeastern Poland, was selected for this study. This station is located approximately 50 km from the border of the Russian exclave (Kaliningrad Region). In this study, the NOAA HYSPLIT_4 trajectory model, potential source contribution function (PSCF), and concentration-weight trajectory (CWT) were employed to investigate the origin of the measured PM₁₀ mass at a receptor site. PSCF and CWT utilize back-trajectory analysis and Lagrangian particle dispersion simulations to reconstruct the advection pathways of air masses arriving at the site. These reconstructed retroplumes provide detailed information regarding the geographic locations traversed by polluted air masses on their way to the receptor. By integrating trajectory information with concurrent pollutant concentration data, the PSCF and CWT enable the identification of potential source regions and quantification of their impact on the observed atmospheric levels. From January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022, at 200 m the 72h backward trajectories of air masses entering the receptor point were calculated and categorized by clustering them into 5-4-4-5 clusters. Subsequently, the PM10 levels at the Elk site associated with each air mass cluster were examined during the observation period. The seasonal variation in PM10 was generally characterized by a peak in winter and minimum values in summer. PM₁₀ was lower during warmer periods, particularly during summer, and significantly, higher concentrations were observed during colder periods. Cluster analyses showed that airflow followed a seasonal pattern, with different results obtained in different seasons. According to the PSCF and CWT results, in winter and spring, the receptor site was influenced more by long-range PM₁₀ pollution, particularly from heavily industrialized areas in Central-Eastern Europe. In contrast, in summer and autumn, the receptor site was less influenced by long-range pollution. The findings demonstrate that the seasonal distributions of PM₁₀ source areas obtained using these two methods generally share similar characteristics, suggesting the credibility and accuracy of the analytical results.

Morphometric descriptions of reservoirs are usually limited to the type, shape, altitude position, bed size and volume of water in them. The article presents the results of the analysis of the bottom topography of the Krasnodar reservoir and the transformations of this for 2005-2021. The analysis was carried out based on the materials of bathymetric surveys for the usable volume of the reservoir on an area of 224 km² with the creation of digital elevation models. The topography of the reservoir bottom is represented by flat sections of flooded accumulative plain with prevailing slopes of about 0.2–0.4°, dissected by riverbeds of lower-order tributaries. The transformation of the topography is caused by gradual silting. The total volume of sediments for this area in 2005-2021 amounted to 127 million m³ with an average siltation layer of 0.4 m. To describe the morphological properties of the bottom topography, we used geomorphometry techniques with the calculation of the BPI index (Bathymetric Position Index) and the classification of mesoscale topography forms based on it. For the riverbed, there are topography forms related to three types of surfaces: flat (Lower Bank Shelves), concave (Depressions, Deep Depressions) and convex (Reef Crests, Back Reefs, Mid-Slope Ridges). The constructed maps reflect the differentiated morphology of the bed surface, the evolution of topography forms and the change in roughness under conditions of continuous transformation of the basin and allow judging the prevailing morphogenetic processes. Morphologically, the coastal zone and the shallow part of the riverbed are the most difficult to construct. Here, along with long-shore reef crests of different genesis, deep depressions and simple depressions in the form of underwater channels on the deltas of extension can form on the accumulative shoal.