Aim. The work is aimed at revealing the similarity of the conditions for the appearance of the strongest modern El Niño of 1997-1998 and 2015-2016 (which are united by 120, 125, 130 Saros series of solar eclipses) years. Methodology. Scientific works on the causes and classification of El Niño events are studied. The coincidences in the trajectories of equatorial solar eclipses during the final phase of the El Niño formation are analyzed. Results. The extreme ENSO events identified by the MSU staff are distributed as follows: fifteen years out of eighteen with La Niña events (except for 1955, 1965, 1976) were years with two polar eclipses and, as a rule, preceded the years with El Niño. A feature of eleven out of twelve years with January El Niño (with the exception of 1978) was the presence of trajectories of solar eclipses, passing through the waters of the tropical and equatorial regions of the Pacific or Indian (with access to the west of the Pacific) oceans. In some years, the trajectory of the eclipse began in Southeast Asia. These differences in astronomical events during the formation of El Niño and La Niña indicate the need to take into account the influence of the forces of celestial mechanics in the form of synchronization of the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun, and their rather complex role in terrestrial processes. Research implications. The reasons shaping the launch of Madden-Julian oscillations and abnormal westerly winds (which are a necessary condition for the emergence of El Niño), may be the tidal forces of the Moon and the Sun and their synchronization during the month, before and after the moment of the eclipse, in the western Pacific Ocean, in the Indian Ocean, in South-East Asia. Gravitational forces, depending on the configuration of the eclipse trajectory, involve air masses in tropical and equatorial latitudes in an anomalous western transfer, with south- or north-western components. Polar eclipses at high latitudes can amplify polar tides, creating surf waves, and become a trigger to changes in the speed and amplitude of Kelvin and Rossby waves, especially when polar eclipses change to equatorial ones.

Aim. The dynamics of forest fires in Russia and its regions and CO2 emissions from 2001 to 2019 are investigated to assess the relationship between global warming and forest fires. Methodology. The published materials and statistical sources are analyzed and the databases on fires are studied. The dynamics of forest fires in Russia and its regions is examined on the basis of remote sensing data from the Earth (MODIS data). The datasets are processed using QGIS software and Python libraries. CO2 emissions are analyzed using the Global Fire Emissions Database fire datasets using system analysis and mathematical modeling. Mathematical modeling of the global CO2 cycle is carried out using the global spatial model of A. M. Tarko under two scenarios - taking into account industrial emissions and forest fires and taking into account industrial emissions and deforestation. Results. It is found that for the period from 2001 to 2019, the maximum increase in the empirical distribution functions of the areas of burnt forests in all federal districts is shifted towards the minimum values, which implies an increase in the annual areas of forest fires in Russia and its constituent entities, with a general decrease in their number. The largest number of statistically significant correlation coefficients is observed in the Central Federal District. The direct dependence of the areas of fires on the average annual temperature and inverse dependence on the average annual amount of precipitation is demonstrated. It is revealed that the burnt dry matter and CO2 emissions from fires increased by 90% in 2019 compared to 2001. An increase by 167% is found if forest fires are taken into account. Mathematical modeling of the global CO2 cycle in the biosphere demonstrates a positive feedback between global warming and forest fires. Research implications. The conducted research is an actual basis for the further study of the dynamics of forest fires in Russia, as well as for the ecological functions of forest communities.

Aim. The aim is to substantiate the indicative role of runoff at the level of geosystems of small river basins. Methodology. The analysis is based on published materials about such aspects, as functional features of small river geosystems and relations between runoff and its formation factors, including human impact and possibilities of using data about runoff variability as part of environmental monitoring. Results. Runoff is considered as a geoecological indicator. This is due to functional features of small river basin geosystems. Here runoff is highly dependent on basin landscape conditions, which are influenced by human activity. This has a direct and indirect impact on runoff. Direct impact is manifested largely due to soil and vegetation transformations that affect the ratio of surface and subterranean runoff. Indirect impact is related to channel siltation as a result of sediment excess from the basin. An important consequence of this is an increase in an intra-annual runoff amplitude. Research implications. The results of the research show that analysis of small river runoff spatial and temporal variation is an actual geoecological task. Solving this task for different landscape-ecological conditions can help formulate some practical recommendations for basins management.

Aim. The aim of the research is to assess the anthropogenic transformation of the coastal zones of the rivers of Moscow and its consequences for the nature and humans. Methodology. Use is made of the following methods: analysis of remote sensing data, analysis of literature, method of analogues, use of key areas, field research, mapping method, modeling, and comparative-descriptive approach. The process of transformation of the coastal zones of the main rivers of Moscow was examined in 2012-2020, during which the water protection zones of the rivers of Moscow were monitored by the N. N. Zubov State Oceanographic Institute, Rosgydromet. Results. The results allow a conclusion to be drawn that the extent of transformation of coastal landscapes can be appropriately assessed by using a complex of methods, which include field research, collection of photo materials, assessment of the percent of the territory occupied by ruderal plants (the dynamics of this indicator allows to estimate the speed of transformation), use of maps or satellite images, GIS, and mathematical modeling. Research implications. Recommendations for monitoring coastal zones, rivers, organization of recreation and other economic activities and minimization of their harmful impact on nature are presented. It is shown that the adverse and dangerous natural processes within the coastal areas of rivers can be eliminated by optimizing environmental management, in particular, by ensuring the continued restrictions of economic activity provided by the current Water Codex for water protection zones of rivers. Recreational use of river coastal zones is proposed to be considered a priority due to the relatively weak impact on natural landscapes and the value of coastal areas of rivers as recreation areas.

Aim. The purpose of this work is to analyze the problems and prospects for territorial planning of modern Russian agglomerations. The object of this study is the Makhachkala agglomeration. The subject of the study is the problems of territorial planning in the framework of the creation of the concept of the Makhachkala agglomeration. Methodology. The current state of territorial planning in Russia is analyzed in relation to urban agglomerations. The position of the federal executive authorities on this issue is shown. The paper (based on the materials of JSC "Giprogor") analyzes the territorial resources of the development of the territory of the Makhachkala agglomeration. SWOT analysis is used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the territory, as well as opportunities and threats to its development. Results. At the present stage of regional development, agglomeration processes are becoming more active, associated with the polarized development of the territory, the formation of separate support centers, and development nodes (which indicates the development of the economic system and the development of settlement systems and organization of the territory). The Makhachkala agglomeration meets all the criteria of the existing agglomerations - it is a highly urbanized territory, with a high level of concentration of population, labor and capital, as well as productive forces in general. Research implications. The paper shows and structures the problems and procedures of territorial planning of the Makhachkala agglomeration. Use is made of general methodological and methodological approaches to the development of territorial planning schemes at the regional level, taking into account the specifics of the economy and the organization of the agglomeration territory.

Aim. The purpose of this work is to identify the main trends in the functioning and placement of new large greenhouse farms in Russia and the factors affecting their localization. Methodology. The paper analyzes information about the development and location of the greenhouse industry in Russia over the past 20 years. The research makes use of such methods as observation, generalization, comparison, and interpretation of results, as well as of the discourse analysis. Results. The main trends and factors are identified that affect the pace of the development of greenhouse farms in Russia after the introduction of sanctions on food imports. The role of the state support in the development of the industry is demonstrated. The location of a number of large greenhouse farms in the regions of Russia and at the intraregional level is analyzed and the main factors influencing the choice of their localization are established. Research implications. The research results contribute to the theory of substantiation of the development and placement of new objects of the greenhouse industry in different regions of Russia. Keywords: greenhouse facilities, protected ground, localization factors for greenhouse facilities, government support, Moscow region

Aim. The purpose of the paper is a geographical analysis of the state policy of the Russian Federation, which carries out activities in the field of railway transport, involving modernization, reconstruction and construction of new railway lines and related infrastructure. Methodology. The main research methods include comparative-analytical, statistical-mathematical and geoinformational techniques, which make it possible to visualize territorial imbalances in the development of railway transport in Russia and to identify its main geographical problems. Results. The main documents regulating the further development of railway transport of the Russian Federation are analyzed. The political, economic and social aspects of the development of railway transport in Russia in the territorial dimension are highlighted. A pattern is identified: in the regions of new and pioneer development, projects are being implemented to build new sections of railways necessary for the development of mineral deposits and the formation of a supporting transport framework. In the old-age regions, new construction is associated with the efficiency of using the existing transport network and with the optimization of existing cargo flows. In the field of passenger transportation, the role and importance of large agglomerations, as well as correspondence between the largest cities, transport hubs, i.e. centers for the formation of passenger flows, is increasing. At the same time, the process of forming transport isolated territories that have partially or completely lost suburban railway communication (primarily the Non-Black Earth region of the European part of Russia) is traced. Research implications. The study will help supplement theoretical ideas about the current state and prospects for the development of railway transport in Russia. The revealed spatial patterns of the location of the railway transport network and its management system can be used in subsequent complex economic and geographical studies, as well as in the development of schemes for the territorial development of Russia as a whole and its individual regions.