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Background. Pigment concentration is a species trait, and is an integral indicator of adaptive response to changes in environmental factors and the growing conditions. The intensive development of modern cities imposes certain requirements on the selection of plants for landscaping, one of which is a high level of adaptive responses. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the content of photosynthetic pigments in the leaves of the genus Acer species in urban conditions of the city of Maуkop, the Adygea Republic. Materials and methods. We used the spectrophotometric method to determine the content of photosynthetic pigments in the leaves of the genus Acer L. species: A. platanoides, A. pseudoplatanus, A. saccharinum, A. negundo, A. campestre in an urban environment of the city of Maуkop and the zone of conditional control (Botanical garden). We carried out statistical processing of experimental data by using the MS Excel 2010 package. Results. We have revealed that in the conditions of an urbanized environment the total content of chlorophylls is 1.1-2.2 times higher in comparison with that of the zone of control. Taking into account the level of variability of the total content of green pigments in the city, we arranged the studied species in the following order: A. saccharinum A. campestre ˂ A. pseudoplatanus ˂ A. platanoides ˂ A. negundo. The ratio of the amount of chlorophylls to carotenoids reacted very sensitively to the impact of urban environmental factors. A. campestre and A. saccharinum differed from A. negundo, A. pseudoplatanus, and A. platanoides for this indicator. Conclusion. The study made allow us to state that in the conditions of an urbanized environment, the studied species of the genus Acer undergo restructuring in the structure of pigment complexes. An increase in the synthesis of chlorophylls and carotenoids raises their adaptive capabilities to the negative impact of urban environmental factors.

Purpose: to explore the territory of the alpine-climatic resort “Alpika-Service” in the North-Western Caucasus near the village of Esto-Sadok, Krasnopolyansky settlement district of Adler region of Sochi in field conditions for dangerous geological processes; on the basis of the conducted field survey of the territory, to determine the zones of mudflow accumulation, to assess the state of the existing mudflow protection structures; to make the necessary calculations of the mudflow in the program for designing flexible engineering protection systems DEBFLOW and to propose measures to stabilize the situation on this basis. Methods and materials. In the course of research, the types of mudflow protection structures were described, it was determined that, according to climatic zoning, the site belongs to subarea III B1. The morphometric parameters of mudflows were determined by sampling and field surveys. On the basis of the DEBFLOW software, the calculation of the load on each designed barrier was carried out. Results: three mudflow basins were found on the territory of the facility, which, during prolonged heavy rains and snowmelt, form mudflows causing damage to Olympic infrastructure facilities, including the Aibga-2 cable car and engineering protection facilities, a technological road, an antenna-mast building no. 2, a pedestrian crossing of the Alpika-Service alpine-climatic resort. Conclusions. On the basis of field surveys, it was determined that the existing mudflow protection facilities are not enough to ensure the complete safety of the Olympic facilities and adjacent buildings. According to the calculations, the recommendations to stabilize the situation, namely along the Sulimovsky stream were given: installation of flexible mudflow protection barriers, placement of a network of catch drains and implementation of erosion-control measures.

The field of the contemporary deformation of the North-Western Caucasus and Ciscaucasia is described based on GNSS horizontal movement data. It is shown that the deformation velocity is sufficient for the activation of large-scale faults of the region to be followed by seismic events with a moment magnitude of up to 7.0. Yet, the orogenic uplift at a rate of up to 12 mm/yr and the development of its varied, deep-broken relief cannot be explained only by the effect of external horizontal stresses. These processes are conditioned, to a great extent, on internal isostatic forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Epipaleolithic industries of the Caucasus, which have similar technical and typological characteristics, contain also a specific set of lithic points, which includes mainly symmetrically retouched points, the Gravette and microgravette points, and Vachons points, as well as more rare shouldered points and some other diverse forms. The majority of previous functional analyses of the Late Upper Paleolithic and Epipaleolithic lithic points did not involve the study of correlation between the point morphological type and its function. The authors focus on the correlation between the point types and their functions, taking into account a fractional typological division of the tools. The preliminary results of the functional (use-wear) analysis of lithic points from Layer 1–3 (17/16–12/11 ka) in the Mezmaiskaya Cave indicate that all the analyzed symmetrically retouched points can be identified as piercing weapons tips. Other point forms have more diverse functions, although more than half of the Gravette, microgravette and Vachons points were also used as piercing weapons tips.

The history of tectonic evolution in the northeastern part of the Black Sea has been considered mainly based on seismic data. The main unconformities surfaces were identified and related tectonic events in the Tuapse Trough, Kerch–Taman Trough, Anapa Swell, Shatsky and Andrusov Ridges, Gudauta and the Eastern Black Sea Basin were described. The tectonostratigraphic scheme was compiled during the research. A stratigraphic column for each structural zone that reflects the main stages of tectonic evolution and features of sedimentogenesis in the Late Mesoic–Cenozoic time was constructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extensive study of Neuropteroidea and Mecoptera collected in Krasnodar Region and the Republic of Adygea in 2018 allowed the discovery of new species for the regions and for Russia, clarification of the taxonomic affiliation of some dubious specimens, and establish wellfounded conclusions about the ecological preferences of species.Nine species of Neuroptera are recorded for the first time from the North-Western Caucasus (and the Caucasus as a whole); 13 species (mainly Coniopterygidae) are new for Krasnodar Region and 7 for Adygea. Two species of Neuroptera (Coniopteryx haematica McLachlan, 1868 and Chrysoperla mutata (McLachlan, 1898)) are recorded from Russia for the first time. The finding of the thermophilic species Chrysoperla mutata in the north of Krasnodar Region is especially noteworthy. This is northern-most known occurrence of the species. The occurrence of the chrysopid species Peyerimhoffina gracilis (Schneider, 1851) in Russia is reliably confirmed for the first time by specimens from Krasnodar Region and Adygea. A larva of Dendroleon pantherinus (Fabricius, 1787) was found in the fruiting body of a tinder fungus, a previously unknown habitat, expanding our understanding of the ecology of its preimaginal phase. In total, 72 species of Neuroptera are known now from the North-Western Caucasus, 52 from Krasnodar Region and 24 from Adygea. The occurrence of the raphidiopteran species Xanothostigma xanthostigma (Schummel, 1832) in Krasnodar Region is new. In total four species of the order are known now from the North-Western Caucasus. Megaloptera is represented in this region by two species. Sialis zhiltzovae Vshivkova, 1985 is recorded from Krasnodar Region, Adygea and from Russia for the first time. Data on the distribution (including altitudinal) and phenology of three species of the family Panorpidae (Mecoptera) are significantly updated. Panorpa connexa McLachlan, 1869 is recorded for the first time from the North-Western Caucasus, and P. similis Esben-Petersen, 1915 is recorded for the first time from Krasnodar Region

The paper presents the results of a study of the population of earthworms at three stages of after-felling succession of coniferous-deciduous forests in the North-West Caucasus (headwaters of the river Pshekha and headwaters of the river Belaya). Studies were conducted in three types of forest communities: the early stage – aspen-hornbeam-honeysuckle small herb forests, the intermediate stage – spruce-hornbeam small herb forests, the late stage – beech-fir dead cover forests. There are brown forest soils. It was shown that in the course of post-workout succession, significant transformations of the earthworm complex occur only at a late stage, where biomass worm increases significantly. Four morpho-ecological groups of Lumbricidae dwell only at a late stage in the old forest, despite the fact that at this stage the structure of ecological-cenotic groups of plants is simplified and oligodominant dead-cover communities with a predominance of boreal species are formed. Species of Lumbricidae with a сrimean- caucasian type of habitat (D. schmidti, D. mariupolensis) are dominated at all stages of forest succession. The demographic structure of the earthworm complex is stable in all types of forests and represented by different ontogenetic conditions with a significant predominance of juvenile worms – 65-78%.

Comparison of trace element distribution in bulk samples from the North-Western Caucasus mud volcanoes with PAAS (average Australian post-Archean shale) showed their depletion in many elements. The contents of most elements in sediments of the mud volcanoes are comparable with those of the Middle Maikopian clay. Compared to the Upper Maikopian clay, most of the studied samples have much higher concentrations of Mo, Sr, Y, Nb and Ba, whereas contents of many other elements, in contrast, are lower. The rare earth elements (REE) distribution in bulk sediment samples is similar to that of PAAS. On the La/Sc–Th/Co diagram, the compositions of most bulk samples of the North-Western Caucasus mud volcanoes fall in the field typical of disintegration products of felsic rocks. This is confirmed by their localization in the Cr/Th–Th/Sc and Sc–Th/Sc diagrams. The comparison of the distribution of data points of sediments of mud volcanoes of the North-Western Caucasus, the Junggar Basin, and the Andaman Islands on the La/Sc–Th/Co and Cr/Th–Th/Sc diagrams shows that the latter have a large contribution of geochemically immature components, possibly the disintegration products of mafic igneous rocks. The data points of sediments ejected from the North-Western Caucasus mud volcanoes on the La/Sc–Th/Co and Cr/Th–Th/Sc diagrams show the wider compositional range than those of other two regions (mixing "felsic" and "mafic" components in the proportions ~100 : 1 to 50 : 50). In general, the comparison of trace element distribution in sediments from mud volcanoes of the North-Western Caucasus, the Junggar Basin and the Andaman Islands suggests the geochemical heterogeneity of these sediments not only in different geodynamic regions, but also within mentioned mud volcanic provinces, thus indicating a heterogeneous composition of their sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New faunistic data are reported on 32 species of Neuroptera, 2 species of Raphidioptera, and 3 species of Mecoptera from the North-Western Caucasus. Eight species of Neuroptera and Mecoptera are new for the Krasnodar Region, and five for Adygea. Night feeding of green lacewings Pseudomallada flavifrons, P. inornatus and Chrysoperla carnea on pollen or nectar of Inula flowers was observed. The most northern known locality of Dendroleon pantherinus in the Caucasus is established.

A review of the fauna of elongated water scavenger beetles (Hydrochidae) of the North-Western Caucasus is given. Five species are recorded: Hydrochus megaphallus Berge Henegouwen, 1988, H. elongatus (Schaller, 1783), H. ignicollis (Motschulsky, 1860), H. crenatus (Fabricius, 1792), H. roberti Shatrovskiy, 1993. Hydrochus megaphallus is new for the North Caucasus and Republic of Adygea (Russia). Zoogeographical characteristic of species and their bionomics are considered. A key to species of the family Hydrochidae of the North-Western Caucasus is given

The paper analyzes a unique information source on the slave trade in the Caucasus in the early 19th century-a list of slaves transported from Gelenzhan Kale (modern name Gelendzhik) to Istanbul. The list was compiled after the Turkish vessel was seized by the Russian military corvette "Krym", a unit in the Black Sea Fleet. The list of names was uncovered in the State Archives of the Krasnodar Krai (GAKK), Krasnodar, Russia and is introduced as a subject for scientifi c research for the fi rst time. The paper also used the documents of the Central State Historical Archives of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia. The methodological basis of the paper is formed by principles of historicism and objectivity, customary for this kind of research, as well as analytical, probabilistic, statistical and comparative methods. At the end, the authors note that the slave trade was the most profi table business in the North-West Caucasus and prisoners captured in Russia accounted for about 20% of Circassian exports in the early 19th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Stratum Plus Journal is the property of P.P. Stratum plus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Stratum Plus Journal is the property of P.P. Stratum plus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In 2004 a previously unknown burial-ground consisting of flat graves was discovered by grave-robbers on the northern slopes of the Central Caucasus range at a height of 800 metres above sea-level near the settlement of Mezmay in the Apsheronsk District of the Krasnodar region. In 2005 the first rescue excavations were undertaken. Among the assemblages so far investigated, the most interesting has been Grave No. 3, in which a warrior of aristocratic descent and high social rank had been laid to rest. Apart from the deceased warrior, there were also horse burials in this funerary complex and a large range of grave goods, the number and quality of which make the complex unique, not only for the Northern Caucasus but also for the whole North Pontic region. Two bronze helmets were found in it for example, iron chain-mail, swords, spear-heads, short spears and arrows, a battle-axe, bronze, glass and pottery vessels, gold jewellery, a bronze mirror, an iron tripod bearing zoomorphic depictions and many other artefacts. The preliminary date which has been assigned to the burial ranges from the late 3rd to the early 2nd century BC, while the necropolis itself is considered as belonging to the Late Hellenistic and Early Roman eras. It is not possible to identify unequivocally the culture with which the Mezmay necropolis is linked, but it can for the time being be classified as linked to the range of Maeotian antiquities of the North-western Caucasus. Apart from Burial No. 3, bronze and iron helmets from the spoil heaps of the grave-robbers' excavations are also published in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thick olistostrome strata of late Paleocene-early Eocene age is outlined in the northern flank of the Northwestern Caucasus folded structure in the Ubinka river valley, which shows the significant role of earlier Cenozoic tectonic movements in forming the alpine structure of the region. The largest part of the strata is composed of dark weakly calcareous clays, which were earlier recognized as Lower Cretaceous deposits. Olistoliths and large olistoplaques are mostly of light calcareous rocks in which microfauna of Cenomanian and Maastrichtian ages were discovered in dark clays. A poor series of foraminifers was recognized in the dark clays hosting these olistoliths; this series do not enable one to determine with certainty the age of the strata (of approximately the late Paleocene-early Eocene). Small structural forms were recognized in olistoliths and olistoplaques, which are not traced in the matrix, this indicates that a series of folded and fissured structures were formed before these olistoliths and olistoplaques appeared in the olistostrome strata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]