Evolution of the plain-taiga geosystems of Western Siberia

The role of the Ob-Irtysh valley in the dynamics and evolution of the soil-earth materials factor of taiga-plain landscape is considered. The study demonstrates the mechanisms of operation of the soil-earth materials factor that is responsible for the formation of zonal forest facies along the valley which undergo swamping at the final stage of their functioning. The progressive development of this regional process leads to marked changes of the biogeochemical situation, and to a deterioration of habitat quality. The problem is complicated by technogenic impacts on the landscape sphere of the oil and gas production complex of Western Siberia.     

Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus): a review of life history and key vulnerabilities in New Zealand

Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) is an important coastal fish species in New Zealand for a variety of reasons, but the large amount of research conducted on snapper has not been reviewed. Here, we review life history information and potential threats for snapper in New Zealand. We present information on snapper life history, defining stages (eggs and larvae, juvenile and adult), and assess potential threats and knowledge gaps. Overall we identify six key points: 1. post-settlement snapper are highly associated with certain estuarine habitats that are under threat from land-based stressors. This may serve as a bottleneck for snapper populations; 2. the largest knowledge gaps relate to the eggs and larvae. Additional knowledge may help to anticipate the effects of climate change, which will likely have the greatest influence on these early life stages; 3. ocean acidification, from land-based sources and from climate change, may be an important threat to larval snapper; 4. a greater understanding of population connectivity would improve certainty around the sustainability of fishery exploitation; 5. the collateral effects of fishing are likely to be relevant to fishery productivity, ecosystem integrity and enduser value; 6. our understanding of the interrelationships between snapper and other ecosystem components is still deficient.     

SOIL-GEOCHEMICAL MAPPING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PURPOSES

The authors outline a procedure for the mapping of soil geochemical anomalies surrounding a gas condensate deposit in upland East Siberia. An end product is a map showing areas in which matter is biologically cycled in different ways and at different intensities, as reflected in the dominance of different combinations of chemical elements in the soil. The paper explores the relationship between these geochemical regions and (a) related natural regions (vegetation, geomorphologic-geologic) and (b) types of human impact (e.g., fires, oil-gas drilling, pipeline construction). The methods employed are compared with previous methodologies of geochemical mapping—e.g., of Perel'man. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: Geografiya i prirodnyye resursy, 1997, No. 1, pp. 23-33