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This article examines the population censuses conducted in the Russian Empire, the USSR and the new Russia; it reveals the peculiarities and methodological apparatus of each population census, presents the main questions of census lists, their comparability with previous censuses, notes new questions and explains their application. Thus, in the 2010 population census, the term “household” was introduced in the question on kinship (property) with other persons living with the respondent; in the question on marriage status, the concepts “officially divorced” and “separated” were differentiated; the levels of education and the presence of a degree were highlighted; the results of population censuses are given according to statistical data for the Komi Republic. The results of the population censuses of 1939 and 1959, which made it possible to assess the scale of forced migration to the Komi region, are separately considered. For each population census, the timing of its conduction and the critical moment are given, it is explained why certain population censuses were carried out not in the “zero” year, as is customary in most countries of the world, but in other years. Particular attention is paid to the 2021 census, it has been postponed for one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The article presents results of a study of the radiation environment on territories adjacent to the sites of the “Globus-4” and “Gorizont-1” peaceful nuclear explosions in the Komi Republic. Field survey was carried out in July 2021. The work provides an assessment of the radiation situation in terms of the main indicators: ambient dose equivalent rate, the content of anthropogenic radionuclides in soil, tritium in the water of water bodies and drinking water supply sources in the settlements nearest to the sites of the peaceful nuclear explosions. The values of gamma radiation ambient dose equivalent rate in all the surveyed territories are at the level of fluctuations of natural regional radiation background and amounted to 0.03 – 0.07 µSv/h in the territory of peaceful nuclear explosion “Globus-4”, 0.01 – 0.05 µSv/h in the territory of “Gorizont-1”. No contaminated soil areas with anthropogenicradionuclides were detected. Tritium activity concentration in water samples does not exceed 5 Bq/kg, which is typical for global levels of this radionuclide in water bodies. The study has shown that the radiation situation in the territory of peaceful nuclear explosions “Globus-4” and “Gorizont-1” meets the requirements of SanPiN 2.6.1.2819-10 “Ensuring radiation safety of the population living in the areas of (1965 – 1988) nuclear explosions for peaceful aims” and currently poses no threat to public health. A conservative dose estimate of additional anthropogenic exposure of individuals from the population from tritium intake with water from centralised water supply sources was 0.065 µSv/year. Longterm radiation safety of the researched territories requires organisation of radiation monitoring, determination of protected zone boundaries and installation of readable information signs warning about radiation hazard and prohibition of economic activities.

In recent decades, interest in Arctic tourism has been growing at a high rate all over the world. The relevance of this area is also increasing against the background of global climate change and the development of so-called “last chance tourism”. The Russian Arctic has unique competitive advantages in the Arctic tourism market, preserving vulnerable Arctic and tundra landscapes under various anthropogenic activities, a large number of national parks and historical and ethnographic heritage. At the same time, a number of single-industry towns are also concentrated there, which have practically no revenue base. According to many researchers, Arctic tourism can become a driver for the sustainable development of the territory and local communities of these towns. But to realize this scenario, the interest of local stakeholders — representatives of government, business and the population — is necessary. This article is devoted to the analysis of the results of a study of local communities’ interest in tourism development as a driver of sustainable development of the territory. The Arctic zone of the Komi Republic, namely the former mining town of Inta, was chosen as the area of study. The results of desk and field studies carried out within the framework of the research expedition in the Arctic zone of the Komi Republic are described. A comparative analysis of international studies on the topic has been carried out, a conceptual model of the attitude of local communities in the Arctic to the development of tourism in the region and the results of in-depth research and focus groups with key stakeholders of tourism in the Komi Republic have been described, limiting factors and potential for the development of Arctic tourism have been identified on the example of the selected territories.

In the context of sustainable forestry, biodiversity conservation assessment is a necessary element in asset and service accounting. Logging is an important driver of economic growth in the northern regions of Russia. The past twenty years have seen changes in timber harvesting technologies and forest management principles, which has led to an increase in research interest in identifying ecosystem responses in terms of biodiversity conservation. This study aims to assess changes in biodiversity within the active forest management territory of the Komi Republic, encompassing ten municipal districts and 24 forestry areas. The objectives of the study include evaluating the impact of factors such as population density, road network, and intact area on biodiversity preservation. Statistical analysis methods were utilized to assess the biodiversity status, focusing on the number of rare species threatened by logging. The analysis studied changes in species abundance, territorial distribution across forestry areas, and changes in their conservation status. Using statistical and factor analysis methods, the study identified the impact of forestry and anthropogenic factors on the conservation of species. The novelty of the research consists in identifying the stability degree of ecosystems by analyzing the state of large areas that have experienced long-term anthropogenic impacts on the Komi Republic territory. Most forests within the active forest management zone demonstrated favorable ecosystem conditions, with logging activities causing lichen disappearance and reduced fish numbers only in individual small areas. The anthropogenic impact had minimal influence on the number of rare species due to low population and road network density. Large areas of undisturbed forests contribute to the natural preservation of biodiversity, but their significant reduction in the southern area causes a threat to the existence of rare species. The greatest impact on the change in biodiversity on the territories affected by active forest management is caused by factors such as the level of territorial exploration, the preservation of undisturbed forests, and selective logging. The practical significance of this study lies in the potential application of the proposed algorithm by large Russian forest businesses when conducting their operations.

In order to create a valuable gene pool of cedar pines in the conditions of the Komi Republic, rootstock crops of Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) were planted on the territory of laboratory training center of the Syktyvkar Forest Institute. The plants were collected from different areas of the Komi Republic and the Arkhangelsk region for adjustment to the local, northwestern climate. The paper presents the results of the variational analysis of morphological parameters and growth dynamics in P. sibirica cultures. Height, trunk diameter, and crown diameter were chosen as the morphometric criteria. The variability of the studied traits ranged from 18.8 to 93.1 %. The average height of the plants was 72.2±3.9 cm, the average trunk diameter was 2.0±0.1 cm. The most changeable characteristic was the diameter of the crown of the plants, which ranged between 11 and 148 cm with Сv of 30.6–93.1 %. The plants of Yarensk origin were the most developed according to the examined morphometric criteria. The average growth of P. sibirica plants in height within the age group of 9–11 years over three years was 13.5±0.9 cm. The lowest growth rate was registered in plants of the Sysola group (1 cm), whereas plants of Yarensk origin had the highest growth rate (38 cm). Throughout the research period, plants of all groups had a consistent rise in overall height. However, this trait variability was reduced only in the group of plants of Yarensk origin. The maximum variability in all three traits was observed in plants of Syktyvkar origin with Сv of 39.7–93.1 %. In general, high variability in the development of Siberian pines over three years across all experimental groups was detected. The investigation results can be applied for further research on the development and inheritance of economically valuable traits and decorative characteristics of P. sibirica in the conditions of the middle taiga subzone of the Komi Repub lic. For citation: Parshina E.I., Dymova O.V., Titov E.V. Plantation Cultivation of Pinus sibirica Du Tour in the Middle Taiga Subzone of the Komi Republic. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 3, pp. 195–204. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-3-195-204

The results of long-term observations in pine tree stands of bilberry and sphagnum forest types are presented. The studies were carried out in the northern subzone taiga conditions of the European North-East of Russia. The method of observation on permanent sample plots was used (the period from 1967 to 2016). Pine tree stands develop on old logging areas (about 70 years ago) and after fire sites. Based on the results of observations carried out significant changes in the morphometric parameters of pine (Pinus L.) trees and stands were established. In pine forests formed on logging areas, high values of the coefficients of variation of trees in terms of density and stock of stem wood (from 30 to 130 %) were revealed. Such high variation coefficients indicate their active formation. In post-pyrogenic naturally developing pine forests, the coefficients of variation of indicators vary from small (10 %) to high (40 %) values. In bilberry pine forests formed after logging, there is a tendency to reduce the density of trees, mainly caused by the loss of birch (Betula L.) and aspen (Populus tremula L.). Whereas, in sphagnum types pine forests, an active replenishment of forest stands with small pine trees from undergrowth was noted. It has been established that with an increase in the proportion of young generation of pine in the composition of forest stands, both a decrease in the average and current growth in stock, as well as a weakening of the vital state and an increase in damage to pine trees occur. During the observation period, the vital state of the most pine forest stands is characterized as «healthy status». In sphagnum types pine forests, the vital state of forest stands is somewhat weaker than in bilberry pine forests. This is due to the unfavorable conditions of their growth on waterlogged soils.

Introduction. The need to transition towards sustainable development of companies in the Arctic regions of Russia and their low level of investment in environmental protection make it relevant to study the factors determining the volume of environmental investment. The purpose of the study has been to analyze the impact of certain groups of financial stakeholders on the level of environmental investments of the company. Materials and Methods. The methodology of the work is based on the theory of stakeholders. The indicators of investment activity of companies in the north-western Arctic regions of Russia were considered, methods of descriptive statistics were used, hierarchical cluster and discriminant analyses were carried out. Results. The results of the study showed that the companies of the studied territory are characterized by a low volume of environmental investments, but it is higher than the national average. The direction and strength of the influence of individual stakeholders on investing in environmental protection is differentiated by environmental areas. At the same time, all the identified groups of stakeholders have a positive, albeit different, impact on the level of investment in environmental protection in all areas in the aggregate. To the greatest extent, the current volume of environmental investments is because of the interests of corporate creditors and federal authorities, to the least – owners, especially foreign ones. Discussion and Conclusion. Considering the results obtained, recommendations are given to increase the current level of environmental investment activity of companies. The theoretical significance of the work is determined by clarifying the theory of stakeholders and the concept of green finance. The practical significance lies in obtaining possibility to develop targeted measures to support interested investors and increase the orientation of other persons to environmental protection.

The article discusses the problems of increasing the multiplier effect of the agro-industrial complex of the Komi Republic as a result of investment, as well as ways to accelerate the economic growth of its spheres and individual enterprises. The problems of motivation to increase capital investments in order to increase production and competitiveness of marketable products remain without due attention. The aim of the study is to substantiate the transition of the agro-industrial complex of the Komi Republic to an innovative and investment path of development, to more active methods of using advanced technologies and resource provision of investments, increasing the share of the intellectual component in their composition. The subject of the study is to determine the level of the multiplier effect of the agro-industrial complex of the Komi Republic as a method for assessing its effectiveness and competitiveness. Research methods — quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of total costs, scientific abstraction, analysis and synthesis, systems approach, historical and logical method, statistical observations. The article reveals the main trends of the multiplier effect in the agro-industrial complex of the Komi Republic. It is proposed to increase the multiplier effect of the agro-industrial complex for business entities to focus on the tasks of coordinating the flows of available investment resources.

The purpose of the data paper was to introduce into scientific literature the results of scientific work carried out for the third edition of the 'Red Data Book of the Komi Republic'. The article reflects methodological approaches to the formation of a list of rare and in need of protection species and describes the corresponding datasets published in GBIF.Information about 7,187 occurrences of 438 rare species and infraspecies included in the third edition of the 'Red Data Book of the Komi Republic' have been published.

The article presents the results of the research to substantiate the directions and mechanisms of development of the rural economy of the Komi Republic. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study was the works of the scientists in the field of development of rural economy sectors. The methods used were analytical, statistical, logical, comparative, SWOT analysis, and expert assessments. When studying this topic, we used normative legal acts on rural development, data from territorial statistics. The paper considers the views of the scientists and economists on the content of the concept of rural economy, identifies the features and problems of its development. The predominance of small forms of management in the branches of the rural economy has been established, and the low profitability of the products produced has been revealed. The article shows a decrease in the role of the rural economy in the overall economic activity of the region. In order to expand the areas of activity in the rural areas, the diversification of production is proposed. Mechanisms and priority areas for improving state support for the development of the rural economy have been developed. To eliminate the currently prevailing tactical approach to solving the current problems of the rural economy, its strategic management is justified. As an effective mechanism for the development of rural economy sectors, it is proposed to use strategic planning and forecasting. The methodological foundations of the strategy development are substantiated. The formulated scientific and methodological provisions of strategic planning are the basis for the development of strategies for the development of agriculture in the Komi Republic and reindeer herding in the European North-East of Russia. The results of the study are used in the development of the Strategy of Socio-economic Development of the Republic of Komi for the period up to 2035, and can also become the basis for improving state support for rural economy sectors, for the preparation of strategies and programs for the sustainable development of its industries and spheres at regional and municipal levels. The use of the research results is possible in the further research work of the author, as well as in the educational process.

The paper deals with the toponymic material recorded in 2008–2019 from the Russian population of the mining settlements of Nyvchim, Kazhym, and Nychpas. All these small towns emerged due to iron mining development in the Komi Republic of the mid-18th century and the workforce migration from the central and northern parts of Russia related thereto. Analyzing the data from local toponymic systems, the authors discover motivations behind the local microtoponymy and the peculiarities of present-day place names in the region. Beyond that, the study deals with the names of intra-rural parts and periphery areas assimilated for economic, fishing, and other types of activities. Several groups of unofficial microtoponyms were highlighted: 1) titled by name/surname of the owner or user 2) referring to landscape and location features 3) situational microtoponyms. On the one hand, the analysis testifies to the adoption of Finno-Ugric names (hydronomy, above all) on the territory of the Russian mining settlements in the Komi Republic. On the other hand, in the times of territory reclamation, there is an increase of Russian-based naming establishing territorial law, regulating agrarian, hunting, and fishing activities, helping residents to navigate. Some Russian names attest to the deep cultural memory of the settlers, the continuity of naming traditions which refer to the territories of exodus and maternal culture. Characteristically, the toponymic system of Russian mining settlements in the Komi Republic shows a far smaller proportion of names related to religion, cults, and mythology compared to the rest of the Russian North.

The work is devoted to the analysis of the regularities of the movement of charcoal particles in the ecosystems of the middle taiga, northern taiga and southern tundra experiencing the influence of fires. Since coniferous vegetation is subjected to intense combustion, fires often lead to cyclical changes in the vegetation cover. The process of burning leads to the forest litter damage, making the soil cover vulnerable to erosion. Intense fires affect the amount of pyrogenic material that can be stored for thousands of years under favorable conditions. The aim of the research was to estimate the influence of environmental factors on the use of carbonaceous particles in modern time series (from 1 to 119 years). The features of soils (particle size distribution, moisture content), relief features (presence of depressions), the effect of precipitation material after a fire, as well as features of combustible litter were considered. On the territory of the middle and northern taiga, in the Pechora-Ilychsky and Pinezhsky reserves, textural-differentiated and alpha-humus soils are considered. On the territory of the southern tundra, in the area of the settlement Zapolyarny, peat-gley soils are considered. It was revealed that the migration of coal to the depth of the soil profile depends to the greatest extent on the particle size distribution – for example, in more sandy soils, coals are scattered throughout the profile, and in clay soils they are concentrated above the first fine-textured horizon. The nature of the coals determines their shape and size, which depend on the type of burnt plant community. Communities with a scattered stand, dominated by lichens in the moss-lichen cover, burn with the formation of microparticles of coal or dispersed carbonaceous particles that easily move along the soil profile (up to the depth of 80 cm). Plant communities with more tree species in their composition, during combustion form large carbonaceous particles, which are often present in the newly formed litter. Charcoal migration is influenced by both the climatic zone and post-pyrogenic erosion. Thus, depending on the variety of environmental conditions, the speed and volume of movement of carbonaceous particles change significantly both when comparing different natural zones and within one zone. Four schemes have been developed for the motion of charcoal along the profile over time: uniformly diffused, unevenly diffused, barrier and turbation.

The paper aims to analyse methodological approaches to the development of rural areas, considering the environmental and economic conditions of the North. We claim that, from a social perspective, the sectoral approach based on the agricultural production policy is ineffective. It is advisable to apply an integrated approach. It considers rural development as a process of improving the life of the population who is directly related to the use of land and other biological resources included in the system of the geographical division of labour and related social relations. This study not only analyses production indicators but also assesses the potential and efficient use of rural areas and households. They include homesteads, public infrastructure, municipal infrastructure in rural (and partially urban) settlements and settlement systems, and natural landscapes with certain social and economic functions. The example of the Komi Republic demonstrates underutilisation of the rural natural resources and labour potential, an extremely small investment in rural infrastructure, and low living standards of the rural population. To improve the situation in the Republic, it is necessary to develop agriculture and assess its strategic trends, considering the objective need to increase the self-sufficiency of the population with crop and livestock products. Other directions for development are the diver- sification of the rural economy and its landscape adaptation; the strengthening of the relations between agriculture, forestry and developing manufacturing industry; the establishment of new relations in the agricultural sector following the «city — village» line. Moreover, it is essential to preserve the Northern ethnic culture and traditional economic activities and introduce environ- mental services into the economic specialisation of municipalities. The mechanisms for implementing these directions include innovative modernisation of rural spatial and economic systems, as well as tools for regulatory, organisational, and financial support of rural production and life that considers its Northern specifics. We identified a set of directions and mechanisms of strategic planning. Comparison of rural development with the officially adopted agricultural strategies and programmes revealed that they differ significantly, especially in social and territorial aspects. It is necessary to eliminate this significant gap in the spatial development planning for improving the living standard of the rural population.

Over the last years, an increasing rate of ixodes tick bites has been registered in the northern regions of the European Russia. In addition, the number of subjects request medical assistance due to tick bites has been dramatically increased in the Komi Republic. In addition, incidence of tick-borne encephalitis was also increased particularly starting since 2009. However, highly limited data on pathogen genetic diversity related to viral tick-borne infections in this region are currently available. Taiga ticks (Ixodespersulcatus) collected from the Komi Republic southern and central part vegetation were examined to identify and genotype tick-borne viruses. Individual ticks were used to identify by RT-PCR viral RNA coupled to tick-borne encephalitis and Kemerovo viruses. Viral genome fragment sequencing allowed to unambiguously identify these viruses. It was found that viral RNA tick-borne encephalitis was detected in 6.8±1.2% individual ticks. Moreover, tick-linked isolate genotyping based on analyzing E protein gene fragment nucleotide sequence derived from tick-borne encephalitis discovered that 35% and 65% isolates belonged to the Far Eastern and Siberian subtype, respectively. In addition, subsequent phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that at least four variants of the Siberian and Far Eastern subtypes of tick-borne encephalitis virus were detected, which were close to the viruses circulating in the Urals and Siberia. In contrast, prevalence of Kemerovo virus in taiga ticks was 0.8±0.2%. Sequencing of Kemerovo virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene fragment showed around 94% homology with the remainder of the Kemerovo virus strains. Phylogenetic analysis of the Kemerovo virus genome fragments demonstrated at least two subtypes circulating in the Komi Republic. Thus, it was suggested that tick-borne encephalitis virus was introduced relatively recently from the Urals and Siberian region into the natural foci of the Komi Republic. Moreover, genetic differences found in Kemerovo virus strains presume for them a longer lasting evolution throughout the natural foci of this region. In addition, a potential role for birds and their ticks in rapid spreading of viral tick-borne infections in the Komi Republic is also discussed. Thus, the data on genetic diversity of the viral agents related to tick-born encephalitis and Kemerovo fever may be useful for improving their diagnostics, prevention and treatment in the Komi Republic.

Orthoptera is a promising model group of insects for large-scale zoogeographic studies. The Komi Republic (Russia, West Siberia) is a suitable region for such kind of work, because it has meridional orientation, coinciding with the global trend of biodiversity, and a well-defined natural latitudinal zonation (from the southern taiga to the southern tundra). The goal of the article is to describe a general composition of the orthopteran fauna and to characterize landscape-zonal distribution patterns of species in the Komi Republic. This work is based on data collected by the authors from 1990 until 2018 in 72 geographical localities. In Komi Republic, 29 species of Orthopetra from three families and 18 genera occur. Acheta domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758), Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa (Linnaeus, 1758) are synanthropic species in the region. The family Acrididae with 18 species is the most diverse group of Orthoptera in the region. Tettigoniidae with 7 species is in the second place, and the family Tetrigidae (4 species) is in the third one. Species richness of Orthoptera gradually but significantly decreases northwards: from 28 species in the southern boreal forests to 6 species in the tundra. Trans-Palaearctic species dominate in longitudinal direction and polyzonal species lead in latitudinal direction. Ranges of some species are expanded due to anthropogenic habitats. In the last two decades, active expansion has been observed in Phaneroptera falcatа, Omocestus haemorrhoidalis, Stenobothrus lineatus, Aeropedellus variegatus. These species extend to the north of the taiga zone along highways, railways and linear communications (oil and gas pipelines, power lines) that almost diagonally cross the territory of the republic.

Background The role of soil invertebrates in the cycle of substances, soil-forming processes and the provision of ecosystem services is undeniable. Therefore, soil invertebrates are valuable in bioindication studies. Comprehensive research of soil invertebrates in the production area of Mondi Syktyvkar JSC as the largest pulp and paper enterprise in the European part of Russia was initiated in 2003. A huge amount of data about composition, abundance and structure of soil macro- and mesofauna along an impact gradient was accumulated during the period from 2003 to 2019 years. These data can be used to study local biodiversity, monitor the state of soil invertebrate communities and assess the impact of the pulp and paper industry on the environment. New information Datasets here presented include information from a monitoring programme for soil invertebrates that inhabit coniferous forests in the production area of Mondi Syktyvkar JSC (Komi Republic). The assemblages' structure of macrofauna, collembolans and nematodes are described. Information on the number of individuals of springtail species, nematodes genera and macrofauna taxa is given. A total of 11146 sampling events of macrofauna, 6673 sampling events of Collembola, and 2592 sampling events of Nematoda are recorded along a gradient of air pollution from pulp and paper industry emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Invertebrates are important elements of aquatic ecosystems and play a crucial role in the transformation of matter and energy in continental water bodies. Communities of aquatic invertebrates are characterised by high sensitivity to pollution by nutrients and toxic substances and acidification of water bodies; they serve as good bioindicators of the quality of the aquatic environment and impacts on hydroecosystems. All hydrobionts participate in the processes of self-purification of water bodies. The presented dataset provides information on the aquatic invertebrate community of a large northern river. During 2018-2020, we collected data on changes in the quantitative indicators of the development of benthic and planktonic communities, as well as the species diversity of their fauna. The dataset combines information about the occurrence and abundance of benthic and planktonic invertebrates and summarises data of aquatic invertebrate species found in the Vychegda River in the zone of influence from the pulp and paper mill. New information The presented dataset is part of a monitoring programme of the river ecosystems in the production area of Mondi Syktyvkar JSC (the European North-East of Russia, Komi Republic). The dataset describes the structure of benthic invertebrate and plankton communities in the Northern Dvina River Basin. The data on the finding and abundance of large taxa of aquatic invertebrates and species of some groups: Oligochaeta, Cladocera, Copepoda, Rotifera, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera are presented. In total, the resource includes 8720 findings of invertebrates, of which 6041 are for zoobenthos organisms and 2679 for zooplankton organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The purpose of the data paper was to introduce into scientific literature the results of scientific work carried out for the third edition of the 'Red Data Book of the Komi Republic'. The article reflects methodological approaches to the formation of a list of rare and in need of protection species and describes the corresponding datasets published in GBIF. New information Information about 7,187 occurrences of 438 rare species and infraspecies included in the third edition of the 'Red Data Book of the Komi Republic' have been published. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sharp rising incidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Komi Republic at the North-east of European Russia was recorded last decades. Tick-bite incidence also was grown. Rapid rise of TBE incidence growth and Ixodidae ticks depends on a number of factors, and the impact of climate change being one of them. Ixodes persulcatus ticks is considered as a main vector of TBE in Komi. Our objective is to estimate the influence of air temperature change on the tickbite incidence and Ixodes persulcatus population in Komi. Komi Republic is located near the Polar circle where the northern frontier of Ixodes persulcatus ticks situated and we expected the growth of tick’s population. The number of Komi inhabitants seeking medical care after tick bites in 1992–2014 was considered. Gridded monthly air temperature data with grid size 0.5 degree were recalculated to temperature referred to Komi administrative units. The time series of annual number of tick victims from 1992 till 2014 and model air temperature from 1948 till 2016 for all Komi administrative units were compiled. We analyzed the data on tick-bite incidence in Komi administrative units in relation to changes in local annual average air temperature within the study area. The linear dependence of the tick-bite incidence on air temperature was established when of the tick-bite incidence is represented in logarithm form. The tick population depends not only on temperature but humidity, landcover and hosts. Described areas of Komi belong to humid climate, where precipitations exceed evaporation. Most of the Komi territory is covered by taiga with underwood, grass and bush. Hosts of the first and the major levels are represented by birds and rodents. The dependence of tick-bite incidence and temperature looks like “Malthus’s law”, but the development of population depends on temperature not on time. The exponential growth in the nearest future will ceased and the population will proceed to stable phase. Ticks population in Komi Republic is moving to the North and the air temperature determines the dynamics of population.

The paper reports results of a study of four previously undescribed artifacts, which came from a cache with general non-utilitarian microwear traces. It describes the method of their detection and recognition in the archaeological context of Ugdym IB eneolithic workshop site. It is supposed that these objects along with the tools manufactured on the site constituted a part of a hoard, which probably was of a non-productive sacral character. This is confirmed by a set of data on the features of the spatial arrangement of these objects, their morphology, structure of the cache as well as the comparison with synchronous complexes of adjacent territories, which reveals obvious situation parallels. It is suggested that objects with not utilitarian wear could be used as pendants, and that they have been intentionally left in the abandoned workshop. Analogies to such finds are absent on the known settlements and flintworkshops of the region under study; the closest parallels are the treasures of Volosovo culture. On the basis of the study of stone tools forms and technical-typological features of ceramics of the site Ugdym IB, the site is dated to the late IIIrd – the third quarter of the II millennium BC that is to the period when the copper metallurgy and Garino Eneolitic culture spread through the region.

The paper reports data on the dwelling №1 of the settlement Lasta VIII at Izhma river (Lasta village, Izhemsky District, Komi Republic). In 2001 T.V. Istomina discovered new materials for the study of the stone industry, pottery production, chronology and housebuilding of Choynovty or Garino culture of the Eneolithic Age. The dwelling was a semi-subterranean wood-frame house with a fireplace. A bifacial knapping was used for the production of flint arrowheads. A typologically uniform ceramics is represented by vessels ornamented with impressions of a comb stamp. Two radiocarbon dates were obtained for the fragments of charcoal that made up the burnt structure (?) of the dwelling – 4130 ± 90 (Le-6204) and 4770 ± 300 BP (Le-6205), of which the first is the most reliable. The dwelling № 1 of the settlement Lasta VIII is one-time assemblage. It allows attributing this site to the reference materials for the study of Choynovty culture as parallel of Garino culture in the northeast of Europe.

Background The dataset with 49,726 bryophytes occurrences (49,261 moss occurrences and 465 liverworts occurrences), located predominantly on the territory European north-east Russia, is described in this data paper. The dataset was based on the digitised moss labels from the Institute of Biology of Komi Scientific center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences herbarium (SYKO). The information from the labels was recognised, cleaned and brought into compliance with the Darwin Core. More than 99.9% of occurrences were georeferenced with a precision of at least 3 km. For each occurrence, the original label image URL was given. The dataset contains occurrences of 539 moss and liverworts taxa (species and lower ranks) belonging to 190 genera and 75 families. New information Information about 49,726 bryophytes occurrences was published in GBIF. The dataset was based on label data of 94% of SYKO herbarium moss collection specimens. Most of the occurrences were described with the following fields: occurrenceID, institutionID, collectionCode, catalogNumber, basisOfRecord, scientificName, taxonRank, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, recordedBy, identifiedBy, associatedMedia, day, month, year, country, countryCode, decimalLatitude, decimalLongitude, geodeticDatum, coordinateUncertaintyInMetres, georeferencedBy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our work was to study seasonal dynamics of the Siberian fir Abies sibirica Ledeb. ectomycorrhizal morpho-anatomical structure, respiration rate and fluorescence. The study was carried out in the bilberry-sphagnum spruce forest in the middle taiga of the Komi Republic, Russia. The morpho-anatomical structure and fluorescence parameters were studied by light and luminescence microscopy. Thin root respiration was studied in intact fine roots in the field using an infrared gas analyzer. 12 subtypes of fungal mantels were revealed in ectomycorrhizal fir roots; their amount and composition demonstrated seasonal dynamic changes. At the beginning vegetation stage, the diversity and proportion of pseudoparenchymatous and double covers were maximal. Plant component of ectomycorrhizae that includes cortical parenchyma and stele had high activity of fluorescence during the entire vegetation period. The dynamics of staining of fungal component (fungal mantel and Hartig net) was more contrasting. The highest fluorescence intensity of cortical parenchyma was found in ectomycorrhizae with maximal fungal mantel thickness. High proportion of tannin cells in cortical parenchyma was related with low intensity of fungal mantel and Hartig net fluorescence. During vegetation season, maximal amount of intensively strained ectomycorrhizal elements occurred in July and unstrained – in June and August. Relation between fine roots respiration and an increase of brightly strained ectomycorrhizal structural elements in fir roots was not statistically significant. Root CO2-emission was lower in May and September in comparison with summer months. For respiration rate of fir fine roots we found its strong positive correlation with the litter temperature.

The article focuses on the origins of the name Mezen that refers to a large river in the north of the European part of Russia. The author critically reviews the earlier etymologies, in which the hydronym has been interpreted on the basis of the Ugric and Balto-Fennic-Sami data, and hypothesizes for Proto-Permic or Finno-Permic origins of the name as an alternative. According to this hypothesis, the name Mezen originates from an old lexical item related to the obsolete Komi-Zyrian mös and Udmurtian -mes (Permic *mεs) with the general meaning of ‘source, spring, brook,’ which in toponymy stands for ‘river’ or ‘stream’. In evidence of the former toponymic productivity of this Permic word, the author provides multiple examples of hydronyms with the determinant -mVs to be found on the territory of the Republic of Komi and adjacent regions — the Russian North and the Perm Region (Vaimos, Kochmas, Madmas, Chermos, etc.). The author suggests that the lexical unit correlating with the Komi-Zyrian mös, Udmurtian -mes, and Common Permic *mεs was once part of a more complex term represented not only in the name Mezen, but also in its North Russian “counterparts,” Mezen’ga and Mezenda, as well as in substrate toponymy of the Komi Republic (Mozyn / Mozym = Russian Mezen; Mozimdіn, Mozimlyva, Mozimözin) and in some substrate hydronyms of the modern Ob-Ugric areas (Khanty dialectal Mǒśaŋ = Russian Mozym, and Mоsəm = Nazym). Recognizing that ethnolinguistic attribution of the original lexical unit for these names seems problematic, the author is inclined to think that this is an old compound in which the final component, reconstructed as Common Permic *-εŋ, had the meaning of ‘river, stream’. Summing up all phonetic, morphological, semantic, and geographical evidence, the author concludes that the presently multilingual hydronyms of the MVsVn / MVsVm type most likely date back to the dialects of ancient “Permians,” still retaining the archaic elements of the Finno-Ugric period, or belong to the Finno-Permic lexical layer directly.

The formation and development of agricultural consulting in Northern and Arctic territories requires consideration of peculiarities of agriculture functioning. The article reviews the essence and specific features of agricultural consulting services. The author presents her definition of the relevant service, justifies the socio-economic background of the agricultural consulting system, explains the key role of this system in innovation development and transfer in the agricultural sector. The article studies the regional features of formation of information-consulting service in the agricultural sector of the Komi Republic influenced by types of agricultural structures, human and scientific-educational potential, innovative activity of agricultural enterprises and private farms. The author analyzes current activities of consulting services and factors constraining its development. To increase the coverage of the information-consulting service for agricultural producers and rural population, disseminate innovation for medium and small agricultural structures, the author has developed directions of the agricultural consulting system development and suggested the scheme of location and maintenance of inter-municipal agricultural consulting centers, their provision with specialist and financial resources. The article reviews the functions of the home office and inter-municipal consulting services. It justifies priority directions of participation of agricultural consulting services in the development and transfer of innovation to agricultural production. The research results can be used by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Komi Republic for establishing agricultural consulting services at the regional and municipal levels, as well as implementing measures for increasing innovation activity of agricultural enterprises and private farms of Northern regions

The article introduces folklore materials collected in the early twenty-first century mostly from the Russian population of the mining settlements in the Komi Republic, which were founded when iron mining started in the area in the middle of the eighteenth century. The authors analyse the Christmas rituals and poetry used by children and adults when visiting neighbours at Christmas. The use of certain scenarios related to the celebration of Christmas and the Christmas period shows how the local traditions that developed among the varied population were integrated into the culture of Russian North and Central Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article introduces folklore materials collected in the twenty-first century from the Russian population of the mining villages in the Komi Republic, founded when iron mining started in the area in the middle of the eighteenth century. The folklore traditions originated from the Russian settlers coming from the northern, north-eastern, and central provinces of the European part of the Russian Empire. The author studies the stories of oral historical prose, reflecting the values of the settlers, events in the course of settling and reclaiming the territory, the beginning and development of pig iron and iron production, local dynasties, and information about actual historical prototypes. She also considers the procedure of forming a folklore repertory in a certain local tradition. By using historical sources and mass media publications and comparing them to folklore materials, the author concludes that in the twentieth century, the collective historical memory was 'designed', among others, by resources, the mass media, and book culture, and that local intellectuals were directly involved in the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The territory of the municipality of the city district "Vorkuta" is referred to the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation in the Komi Republic. It is not necessary to talk about some specific "Arctic" ethno-national policy in that municipality, different from the model of the national scale. Therefore, ethno-national policy is analyzed in general for the whole Republic, and then its features are revealed in the municipality "Vorkuta," which is the part of the Russian Arctic. The analysis of the list of regulating and strategic documents reflecting the specifics of the matter, together with an extensive existing infrastructure, allows to conclude about the formation of a regional model of ethnic policy in the Komi Republic. In addition, the incoordination of a number of documents is noted, as well as some inconsistencies of ethno policy to federal standards. Ethno policy in municipality "Vorkuta" is generally carried out in the framework of a regional trend. Standard maintenance includes various municipal programs and plans. The conclusion about the need to improve the conceptual foundations of the Arctic vector of ethno policy has been made.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is promoted and critiqued by many players involved in or opposed to petroleum exploration and extraction, although a common understanding of CSR's theoretical and practical meanings rarely exists. This paper uses Arctic petroleum in the Barents region (Norway and Russia) to investigate local perceptions of CSR. We conducted open-ended, semi-structured interviews in four locations: Hammerfest, Murmansk, Komi Republic, and Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO). Interviewees included the local population, regional and local authorities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and petroleum company representatives. The field research suggests that those who gain directly from the petroleum industry and do not directly experience negative impacts were more inclined to be positive about the industry, although overall, general support for petroleum activity was high. In some cases, positive economic benefits resulted in greater tolerance of environmental risk. Sometimes, the industry and government were criticised by locals for failing to support a more equitable distribution of broader economic benefits. Rather than splitting along for-profit/NGO or indigenous/non-indigenous lines, our analysis suggests that those who are closer to the petroleum industry or its benefits, termed ‘insiders’, tend to be more positive than ‘outsiders’. This study is perhaps the first of its kind in its focus on local perceptions of CSR for Arctic petroleum across the Barents region. The findings of this study not only match with that of the previous literature on Arctic petroleum but also provide further practical and theoretical insights by indicating subtleties and nuances within the localities examined.

The successful development of Northern and Arctic areas depends on sustainable functioning of the agricultural sector. Agriculture and fishing agriculture is a way of life of the indigenous population. The article discusses the state of agriculture and food self-sufficiency in the Komi Republic in the years of relatively stable development (1960–1980) and in the conditions of market reforms. It analyzes production and consumption of food and shows a positive effect of modernization processes on the agricultural sector in the pre-reform period. It studies market transformation of the agrarian economy, accompanied in the 1990s by the sharp decline in agricultural production, degradation of productive capacity, rural demography, rural infrastructure, decrease in living standard of farmers, and disparity of prices on agricultural and industrial products. The paper discloses trends in food self-sufficiency of the northern region in 1980–2013 and reveals reasons for the decrease in its level in the period of market reforms. It considers possible scenarios to develop the agrarian sector and food self-sufficiency. To predict the agriculture development the author identifies strong and weak sides, opportunities and threats by means of SWOT-analysis. The article proposes 3 scenarios: inertial (pessimistic), baseline and optimistic. It finds out the most reasonable optimistic development scenario based on innovative modernization for the Komi Republic. The study results can be used to adjust the current State program of agricultural development and elaborate the strategy of the agro-food sector of the region

Accumulation of organic matter in spruce green moss Piceetum hylocomiosum and pine lichen Pinetum cladinosum forest communities after windfall was investigated. Phytomass of Piceetum hylocomiosum stand is 51.8 t • ha-1, and Pinetum cladinosum stand is 7.5 t • ha-1. Phytomass in the disturbed stands is 3.5 times less than in undisturbed spruce forest and 15 times less than in undisturbed pine forest. The undergrowth accumulates 2.8 t • ha-1 in spruce forest, and 0.9 t • ha-1 in pine forest after windfall. Number of trees, volume of wood, stock of organic matter was determined in coarse woody debris subject to decay class. Most of the dead trees (77–97 %) belong to the second decay class. Reduced competition for light and mineral nutrients influences the intensity of organic matter accumulation by tree plants. We detected that increasing radial growth of spruce and fir began before windfall. This demonstrates the stand drying. However, maximal rate of annual ring increment (2.03–2.17 mm for spruce and 3.98–4.07 mm for fir) was observed in 2009–2010 years. After windfall radial growth of undergrowth increased 2 times in Piceetum hylocomiosum and 7.7 times in Pinetum cladinosum. Height increment of spruce and fir understorey increased 2.2–2.6 times in spruce forest. As compared with undisturbed ecosystems height increment of pine understorey is 1.2–2.0 times higher on windbreak in Pinetum cladinosum.

Soil cover transformation and changes of morphological and chemical properties of Albeluvisols in clear-cuttings of middle taiga spruce forests were studied. The observed changes in structure and properties of podzolic texturally-differentiated soils at cuttings of spruce forests in the middle taiga subzone do not cause their transition to any other soil type. Soil cover of secondary deciduous-coniferous forests which replace cut forests are characterized with a varied soil contour and a combination of the main type of podzolic soils under undisturbed spruce forests. The increased surface hydromorphism in cut areas causes formation of complicated sub-types of podzolic texturally differentiated soils (podzolic surface-gley soils with microprofile of podzol) and enlarges their ratio (up to 35–38 %) in soil cover structure. Temporary soil over-wetting at the initial (5–10 years) stage of after-cutting self-restoring vegetation succession provides for soil gleyzation, improves yield and segregation of iron compounds, increases the migratory activity of humic substances. Low content and resources of total nitrogen in forest litters mark anthropogenic transformation processes of podzolic soils at this stage. Later (in 30–40 years after logging), soils in cut areas still retain signs of hydromorphism. Forest litters are denser, less acidic and thick with a low weight ratio of organic carbon as compared with Albeluvisols of undisturbed spruce forest. The upper mineral soil horizons under secondary deciduous-coniferous forests contain larger amounts of total iron, its mobile (oxalate-dissolvable) components, and Fe-Mn-concretions.

Agricultural production in the rural periphery of the North requires modernization because it is necessary to overcome the backwardness of its technical and technological level, to improve the provision of the population with local food products, to create competitive advantages in the local and regional markets, to use natural and human capital rationally, to raise the standard of living and quality of life of agricultural workers, to retain young people in rural areas, to reduce significant differentiation in socioeconomic development of remote and suburban areas. The period of market reforms was marked by the destruction of the material-technical base of agriculture, the sharp reduction in cultivated agricultural land, number of animals, number of workers, the deterioration of their professional level and quality of life, the decline in production of all kinds of agricultural products. In the period of market reforms the facilities and infrastructure basis of agriculture was destroyed, the volume of cultivated land reduced greatly, as well as the population of livestock, and the number of employees; their professional level and quality of life deteriorated, the production of all kinds of agricultural products reduced. Agriculture was deprived of possible technological re-equipment because of prices liberalization, the drastic reduction in state support and in the amount of investments. The article proves that current views on the lack of prospects for development of agricultural production in the rural periphery and the reorientation of rural residents on other activities are not acceptable. The authors point out the need to accelerate modernization in agriculture, and they conclude that sustainable agricultural and rural development is a long-term priority for the state and municipal authorities. The article considers the possibilities and necessity of intensifying modernization processes in the agricultural production of the rural periphery for the purpose of establishing food security in the northern region. The authors suggest ways and mechanisms to modernize agriculture in the peripheral areas of the Komi Republic that are connected with the improvement of living conditions of peasants, with staffing, scientific-information and advisory support, and with the creation of an effective system of state support. The research findings presented in the paper can be used for adjusting the current State Program for Development of Agro-Food Sector, as well as the similar program for the Komi Republic for 2021–2025

The article presents the problems of development and modernization of energy infrastructure priorities in rural areas of the Komi Republic. For the most part of rural population the achieved level of energy supply is the necessary minimum for the needs, and it has the low parameters of the energy and economy efficiency. The main directions of the rural energy supply modernization should be: the gas supply system development, the electric grid capacity growth and the construction of the modern small energy technologies (small central heating and power plants, modular boiler plants, efficient solid fuel boilers)

The library activity analysis of the Pechora Natural-Historical Station at the Academy of Sciences (1906-1914) showed that it had a scientific, popular, and applied character that corresponded to A. V. Zhuravsky views on science popularization, it was a specialized professional agricultural library in the remote site near the Arctic Circle. Now it represents a unique complex of the early XX century spiritual culture in Komi region and maintains its uniqueness. The museum books reflect the development level of different branches in agricultural science and applied agricultural knowledge. The collection is not rare at the Russian scale, but it contains the books referred to rare editions in various libraries of the country, and one book can’t be exported from the Russian Federation. Accounting the rural settlement remoteness, the difficulties of transportation preserving to the beginning of the XXI century, the existence of such professional library as a part of the museum is a rarity.

Background: The causes of the recent rise of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) incidence in Europe are discussed. Our objective was to estimate the impact of air temperature change on TBE incidence in the European part of the Russian Arctic. Methods: We analysed the TBE incidence in the Komi Republic (RK) over a 42-year period in relation to changes in local annual average air temperature, air temperature during the season of tick activity, tick abundance, TBE-prevalence in ticks, tick-bite incidence rate, and normalised difference vegetation index within the area under study. Results: In 1998–2011 in RK a substantial growth of TBE virus (TBEV) prevalence both in questing and feeding ticks was observed. In 1992–2011 there was 23-fold growth of the tick-bite incidence rate in humans, a northward shift of the reported tick bites, and the season of tick bites increased from 4 to 6 months. In 1998–2011 there was more than 6-fold growth of average annual TBE incidence compared with 1970–1983 and 1984–1997 periods. This resulted both from the northward shift of TBE, and its growth in the south. In our view it was related to local climate change as both the average annual air temperature, and the air temperature during the tick activity season grew substantially. We revealed in RK a strong correlation between the change in the air temperature and that in TBE incidence. The satellite data showed NDVI growth within RK, i.e. alteration of the local ecosystem under the influence of climate change. Conclusions: The rise in TBE incidence in RK is related considerably to the expansion of the range of Ixodes persulcatus. The territory with reported TBE cases also expanded northward. Climate change is an important driver of TBE incidence rate growth.

Background: The causes of the recent rise of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) incidence in Europe are discussed. Our objective was to estimate the impact of air temperature change on TBE incidence in the European part of the Russian Arctic. Methods: We analysed the TBE incidence in the Komi Republic (RK) over a 42-year period in relation to changes in local annual average air temperature, air temperature during the season of tick activity, tick abundance, TBE-prevalence in ticks, tick-bite incidence rate, and normalised difference vegetation index within the area under study. Results: In 1998–2011 in RK a substantial growth of TBE virus (TBEV) prevalence both in questing and feeding ticks was observed. In 1992–2011 there was 23-fold growth of the tick-bite incidence rate in humans, a northward shift of the reported tick bites, and the season of tick bites increased from 4 to 6 months. In 1998–2011 there was more than 6-fold growth of average annual TBE incidence compared with 1970–1983 and 1984–1997 periods. This resulted both from the northward shift of TBE, and its growth in the south. In our view it was related to local climate change as both the average annual air temperature, and the air temperature during the tick activity season grew substantially. We revealed in RK a strong correlation between the change in the air temperature and that in TBE incidence. The satellite data showed NDVI growth within RK, i.e. alteration of the local ecosystem under the influence of climate change. Conclusions: The rise in TBE incidence in RK is related considerably to the expansion of the range of Ixodes persulcatus. The territory with reported TBE cases also expanded northward. Climate change is an important driver of TBE incidence rate growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is promoted and critiqued by many players involved in or opposed to petroleum exploration and extraction, although a common understanding of CSR's theoretical and practical meanings rarely exists. This paper uses Arctic petroleum in the Barents region (Norway and Russia) to investigate local perceptions of CSR. We conducted open-ended, semi-structured interviews in four locations: Hammerfest, Murmansk, Komi Republic, and Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO). Interviewees included the local population, regional and local authorities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and petroleum company representatives. The field research suggests that those who gain directly from the petroleum industry and do not directly experience negative impacts were more inclined to be positive about the industry, although overall, general support for petroleum activity was high. In some cases, positive economic benefits resulted in greater tolerance of environmental risk. Sometimes, the industry and government were criticised by locals for failing to support a more equitable distribution of broader economic benefits. Rather than splitting along for-profit/NGO or indigenous/non-indigenous lines, our analysis suggests that those who are closer to the petroleum industry or its benefits, termed 'insiders', tend to be more positive than 'outsiders'. This study is perhaps the first of its kind in its focus on local perceptions of CSR for Arctic petroleum across the Barents region. The findings of this study not only match with that of the previous literature on Arctic petroleum but also provide further practical and theoretical insights by indicating subtleties and nuances within the localities examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing anthropogenic pressure on the largest remaining tracts of old-growth boreal forest in Europe necessitates additional conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity in northeastern European Russia. In a regional network comprising 8 % of the Nenets Autonomous District and 13.5 % of the Komi Republic, 248 areas have varying protected statuses as state nature reserves (zapovedniks), national parks, reserves/sanctuaries (zakazniks), or natural monuments. Due to increased natural resource extraction in this relatively pristine area, designation of additional protected areas is critical for the protection of key ecological sites. The history of ecological preservation in these regions is herein described, and recent recommendations for incorporating additional ecologically representative areas into the regional network are presented. If the protected area network can be expanded, the overall environmental stability in these globally significant ecosystems may remain intact, and can help Russia meet the 2020 Aichi conservation targets, as set forth by the Convention of Biological Diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]