A review is presented of the ecological-coenotic structure of the flora of protected plants in the South of Russia. Types of vegetation and item plant association are differentiated and characterized, the position of the correct species in the total spectrum analyses is determined, and belonging of endemic and relict species to different types of vegetation is established. Apart from the conclusion about the predominance of desert and steppe types of vegetation, it is shown that correct species exhibit a high percentage among the protected types and a high degree of saturation by endemic and relict species, an increase in the number of endemics being accompanied by a decrease in mesophytic species of plant associations.

The problem of the variability of five biometric characteristics of linden (Tilia cordata Mill.) leaves is considered. We have estimated the developmental stability of standard parameters in habitats with different anthropogenic loads. It is found that the most stable features are the half-width of the leaf, distance between the bases of the first and second ribs of the first order, and angle between the central and first vein of the first order. We consider the possibility of changing the standard technique due to the fact that the set of these three parameters is sufficient to calculate the overall index of fluctuating asymmetry of leaves.

We present the results of a research on morphometric parameters of three subspecies of Caucasian toad, Bufo verrucosissimus, in the Northwestern Caucasus. All the characteristics are studied in living amphibians after a breeding period. It is noted that the majority of the studied morphometric parameters differ significantly. The results obtained, in contrast to previous studies, confirm the presence of geographic variability of morphometric parameters in Caucasian toad. We believe that the issue of intraspecific structure of this species is far from being resolved and requires further investigation.

The chromosomal structure of five populations of Anopheles messeae in Moscow and Kaluga regions and in Samara and Volgograd regions is studied. Populations in the center and at the periphery of the areas are shown to differ considerably in structure and frequencies of inversions. Populations with inversions XL1; XL0; 2R0; 3R0; 3L0 are found to prevail in the southern areas. In these populations, full chromosome 2R homozygosity is revealed. In populations of the Moscow and Kaluga regions, a high frequency of inversion gomo- and heterozygotes is observed. The adaptive character and maintenance mechanisms of chromosomal polymorphism of Anopheles messeae are discussed.

We report data on the dynamics of the values of electrical resistance of skin, skin temperature and skin fold thickness near a thermal injury in rabbits under conditions of different phototherapy methods in the period from 5 to 15 days after wounding. Differences in the formation of the body response to the impact are outlined. A conclusion is made that it is possible to assess the response of the organism to physiotherapy by the indicators obtained.

We consider the issues related to granulation of fuel briquettes from waste of different nature (sawdust, husk oilseeds, brewer’s grain, kieselguhr, carbon black). We have obtained the compression curves of various mixtures and determined their strength, density and best regimes of the granulation process. The values of the rheological parameters of mixtures are found: flowability, plastic strength. The correlation between performance, energy consumption and mixture moisture, providing production of plotnoprochnyh pellets during rolling, is presented.

An expedition organized by WWF Russia in 2004-2006 for monitoring Western gray whales carried out a research aimed at establishing the number, distribution and behavior of marine mammals under the conditions of an anthropogenic impact. The results of observations are presented and their analysis is performed. The map of the geoecologic distribution of gray whales in the Piltun feeding area shows that this distribution of gray whales depends on two factors, namely, the distance from offshore industry and presence of feeding areas with a high percentage of the benthic biomass. The practical effectiveness of the methodology presented allows one, under conditions of annual monitoring and data updating, to monitor the dynamics of the population status and extent of human influence.

We report the results of investigation of the sown area structure of main types of cereals and leguminous plants in different countries and regions of the world in 2004-2010. Electronic versions of the maps of change in the sown area structure are presented for various geographical zones of the world. It is shown that the difference in the structure of areas under crops in the latitudinal direction is largely determined by agro-climatic conditions. It is found that in tropical and subtropical climates humidification plays an important role, whereas in temperate zones the heat factor (sum of active temperatures) comes to the fore. A conclusion is made that in equatorial and sub-equatorial geographical zones of Africa there is significant potential for increasing the gross grain yields due to optimization of the structure of crops.

We report the results of observations (January - May 2013) of the pollution level of the Nahr-el-Kebir river near Latakia (Syrian Arab Republic) with allowance for physical, chemical, and bacteriological characteristics. The study of the samples was carried out by means of the rapid method of gas chromatography (evaluation of the overall contamination by organic compounds), spectrophotometric methods (chemical oxygen demand tests), potentiometric methods, pH meters, conductivity meters, and test methods for certain pollutants. The results of determining the overall total value of the organic pollution (~ 12 - 14 mg/dm3) and chemical oxygen demand (~ 40 mg/dm3) indicate an unfavorable situation along the entire length of the river from the city of Latakia to the mouth. At the same time, in terms of pH, temperature, and oxidation-reduction potential (Eh), the parameters of the river water are within the normal range.