Aim. The purpose of the paper is to study the reaction of the cryolithozone in its landscape diversity to the current climate warming. The analysis is carried out for the North of the European territory of Russia and the North of Western Siberia. Methodology. Based on a large amount of factual material from observations of the dynamics of soil temperature and the depth of seasonal thawing/freezing following changes in air temperature in the 20th-21st centuries, we perform a comparative analysis of two regions of the permafrost zone, which differ in landscape conditions, i.e., the northern and southern regions of the permafrost zone. Results. It is found that the reaction is not the same in different regions of the permafrost zone and is associated with the nature of heat exchange in different landscapes. It is concluded that the main differences are observed between the northern and southern regions of the permafrost zone, mainly due to the different nature of the ground cover. In the northern regions, with undeveloped vegetation cover, the soil temperature usually follows the change in air temperature, rising along with it. At the same time, the depth of seasonal freezing/thawing increases up to the formation of taliks in some cases. In the southern regions of the permafrost zone, with well-developed vegetation and warming increasing growth of peat and moss cover with their cooling property, the soil temperature reacts little to an increase in air temperature, and in some cases decreases, causing a decrease in the seasonal thawing/freezing depth and contributing to new formations of permafrost. Research implications. The proposed study is relevant, since the predicted thawing of permafrost following climate warming will disrupt economic activity within the permafrost zone. At the same time, analysis of the impact of different landscapes on the permafrost response to climate warming reveals important fundamental relationships in heat exchange between soils and the atmosphere.

Aim. The purpose of the paper is to consider the vegetation dynamics of pastures in the North-Western Caspian Sea region under the influence of climatic fluctuations. Methodology. During the period of field research, we used such traditional methods as geobotanical and floristic methods, including descriptions of plant communities from 1995-2016. They are based on classical methods of geobotanical research. For monitoring and mapping of degradation processes (desertification), Remote Sensing (RS) data were used. Landsat TM/ETM+ channel combinations were employed for visual interpretation of landscape properties and their seasonal and year-to-year dynamics under the influence of natural factors. The relationship between the NDVI readings, the projective coverage of the above-ground phytomass of communities and the amount of precipitation was established according to Charin, Tateishi, and Gringof. Results. The relationship between NDVI readings, projective cover of aboveground phytomass of communities and amount of precipitation was established. Research implications. The results of the monitoring studies are of theoretical and practical significance for the rational nature management of the vegetation cover of pastures in the Northwestern Caspian Sea and the Republic of Kalmykia.

Aim. The purpose of the paper is to develop a comprehensive model for assessing factors of noise impact from automobiles in the urban environment. Methodology. The main factors determining noise pollution from motor vehicles are considered; the danger and frequency of manifestation of each factor are estimated in points using a quantitative (noise changes in dB) and qualitative scale; taking into account the point estimation, the total significance of each of the factors is determined and the assessment method is tested. Results. The role of technical, natural and urban factors of noise impact from vehicles is determined, a formula for calculating the significance of each factor is proposed, and a comparative analysis of the manifestation of factors is carried out on the example of actual and hypothetical sites adjacent to the Moscow Ring Road (Moscow). Research implications. The approach is suitable for rapid assessment of noise impact factors in the absence of a large array of noise level measurements, as well as for determining ways to reduce the contribution of certain factors to noise pollution in specific points and zones of cities.

Aim. The purpose of this work is to analyze the incidence and mortality of the population of Primorsky Krai from COVID-19 and to identify its relationship with environmental factors characteristic of this territory. Analysis of the current state of the incidence of COVID-19 in the region allows one to identify “hot spots” of incidence, as well as the presence or absence of influence on the level of incidence of individual components of the environmental situation characteristic of the area under study. Methodology. We analyze the statistical information about the incidence and mortality of the population from COVID-19 on a monthly basis during 2020-2021 and in the context of municipal districts and urban entities; the mortality rates of the population of Primorsky Krai for certain classes of diseases and nosological forms during the pre-pandemic period and the beginning of the pandemic are studied. The main factors of ecological trouble on the territory of Primorsky Krai and the dynamics of individual polluting compounds in emissions into the atmosphere are identified; the economic component affecting the ecological situation is considered. Relationships between the morbidity and mortality rates of the population from COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic and the environmental situation in certain regions of the region are analyzed. Use is made of comparative-analytical, comparative-geographical, cartographic and graphical methods, as well as of the statistical analysis. To obtain an integral environmental indicator from the nth number of indicators measured in different units, the method for determining the coordinate (indicator) in the n-dimensional Euclidean space is used. Results. The incidence of COVID-19 in Primorsky Krai has been increasing since the beginning of 2020 and has had two peaks. They continued to increase in 2021, but people seem to be getting sicker in a milder form and the fatality rate from COVID-19 in 2021 does not exceed the figures for 2020. The incidence of COVID-19 in 2020 varied significantly from region to region. In 2020, there was also an increase in mortality compared to 2019 for a number of non-communicable diseases. The exacerbation of chronic somatic diseases of the population aggravated the course of COVID-19 in the region, which, in turn, indicates the impact of the pandemic on these diseases. The main directions of the negative impact of economic activity in the regions of Primorsky Krai on the health of the population are considered. The ecological state of the territory under consideration has remained unfavorable for many years due to the increase in the number of cars, their unsatisfactory technical condition and low quality of fuel. Comparing the data on environmental pollution in the regions of Primorsky Krai in 2020 with the incidence and mortality of COVID-19, it can be noted that no direct relationship between them has yet been found. However, in areas and cities with an unfavorable environmental situation, the incidence of COVID-19 was higher. At the same time, it should be noted that environmental factors, affecting human immunity, increase the susceptibility of the population to various diseases. During this period, all medical institutions in the region worked with great stress, and many small businesses were closed. The impact of the pandemic on certain sectors of the economy of Primirsky Krai, for example, tourism, recreation, and service sector can be traced quite clearly in these years. Research implications. The results of the study are of theoretical and practical importance, because they make it possible to assess some medical-geographical and epidemic features of the emergence and development of the COVID-19 pandemic in certain areas at regional and local levels, to identify and highlight the “hot spots” of the incidence of the population of Primorsky Krai in the context of districts and cities, and reveal some links between morbidity and the environment. Although a clear direct relationship between ecology and morbidity has not yet been traced, the relationship between the individual components of the ecological state of the territory and the levels of morbidity and mortality is obvious. It is noted mainly in cities and areas with high levels of air pollution, which increases the level of susceptibility of the human body to COVID-19. This fact is a recommendation for management structures to tighten the requirements and control of the purification of atmospheric emissions, as well as technical requirements for vehicles. The conducted research and the results obtained for Primorsky Krai are important for further theoretical developments and approaches to studying the causes of the emergence and development of a pandemic and its relationship with various environmental factors.

Aim. The purpose of thе paper is a complex study of Svalbard tourist system. Methodology. The paper describes the main types of tourist resources on Svalbard and analyzes the current state and prospects for the development of the Svalbard tourism as a whole and its most actively developing types. The main methods of research are as follows: analytical, statistical, description and comparison. Results. The study showed the presence of a large number of Arctic tourism resources in the region, favorable for the development of its various types to attract the attention of tourists from many regions of the world; however, the resources are not currently fully used. With a competent approach to their development, the tourism industry will show significant growth, which will strengthen the local economy, create new jobs, and allow one to attract more tourists. The current state of the tourist infrastructure on the archipelago allows the development of active land and cruise programs, as well as eco-tourism programs; at the same time, ecological and cruise expedition tourism are the most promising areas for the development of tourism in the region. Research implications. The results of the study contribute to the development of the theory and methodology for the study of tourist systems of the Arctic islands. The experience gained by previous researchers is systematized and attention is focused on the development of the key branch of economic activity of the Russian Federation on the territory of the archipelago in question, which is of strategic importance.

Aim. The purpose of the study is to determine the provision of information accessibility of recreational resources of the Krasnoyarsk destination for the subjects of ecological tourism, the formation of a favorable tourist image of the territory, an increase in the activity of participants in the tourist market, the monitoring of recreational pressures on geosystems, the tracking of dangerous geoecological risks in natural recreational areas and an increase in the level of environmental education of the population. Methodology. We have conducted a survey of residents and guests of the Krasnoyarsk destination on the use of geoinformation technologies in the recreation and tourism system of the Krasnoyarsk agglomeration using the example of the most popular objects of attraction - the Eco-Park “Gremyachaya Griva” and the National Park “Krasnoyarsk Stolby”. We have analyzed the existing electronic cartographic projects for ecological tourism of the Krasnoyarsk destination, and identified the tasks that can be solved by introducing a territorial tourist geographic information system. The main methods used in the work include the following: comparative-descriptive, statistical, and survey. Results. We have found that a significant drawback of existing electronic cartographic projects for ecological tourism in the Krasnoyarsk agglomeration is limited functionality, information content and scope. In the near future, for the effective development of ecological tourism, it is necessary to further develop a tourist GIS and create a publicly accessible geoportal on its basis, which will serve as a tool for online access and analysis of information about the objects and resources of tourism in the Krasnoyarsk destination. The use of this tool will help to increase the competitiveness of local tourism services, increase the influx of tourists, improve the quality of management and planning for the development of the tourism and recreational sector, preserve the recreational value of natural objects and their geo-ecological safety, and increase the level of ecological culture of the population. Research implications. We have generalized the material on the topic under study. The results of the study contribute to the study of the development of ecological tourism in the Krasnoyarsk destination based on the use of geoinformation technologies.

Aim. The purpose of the paper is to develop an approach to the consideration of lakes as objects of cultural heritage. Methodology. The materials of the study included numerous works on the geography and ethnography of lakes. The main method of research is to establish the influence of the natural features of the lake on historical and cultural phenomena (geographical name of the lake, traditions about it, etc.). A systematic approach revealed the factors that determine and enable some lakes to be considered as objects of not only natural, but also cultural heritage. Results. It is found that a geo-cultural space can be formed around the lakes, based on the natural features of the lake, with which historical and cultural events that took place on its shores or on the lake itself are closely related. Such lakes have long been part of the mentality of its inhabitants. It is in this way that individual lakes become iconic for the population of certain regions of the country and in some cases even acquire national symbolic significance. Research implications. A systematic assessment of the lakes was undertaken in order to determine signs and indicators that allow one to classify lakes as cultural heritage sites. Among the signs identified, mention should be made of the following: toponyms, traditions, and man-made structures on the coast and on the islands, inextricably connected with their natural basis - the lake itself, including sacred objects and the display of the lake and natural and cultural events in the mirror of writers and artists. The new approach to lakes expands opportunities and puts forward additional requirements for their protection and organization of tourism.