Challenges of Forest Fires in Russia

Forest fires in Russia have increased in scale in recent years. While climatic conditions do influence the incidence of fires, their increase also reflects socioeconomic changes and policy failures associated with the forest management system in Russia, such as the overemphasis on privatized forestry and the misallocation of forest protection budgets disfavoring the sparsely populated and forest-rich eastern regions

Sustainable Development in Sparsely Populated Territories : Case of the Russian Arctic and Far East

Extreme environmental conditions, sparsely distributed human populations, and diverse local economies characterize the Russian Arctic and Far East. There is an urgent need for multidisciplinary research into how the Arctic and Far East can be developed sustainably as global changes in the environment and the economic priorities of nations accelerate and globalized societies emerge. Yet, when it comes to sustainability indicators, little consideration has been given thus far to sparsely populated and remote territories. Rather, the majority of indicators have been developed and tested while using empirical research gathered from cities and densely populated rural localities. As a result, there is no scientific technique that can be used to monitor the development of sparsely populated territories and inform the decisions of policymakers who hope to account for local specificity. This article suggests a conceptual model for linking sustainability to the unique characteristics of the sparsely populated regions of the Arctic and Far East. We provide an empirical illustration that is based on regional-level data from the sparsely populated territories of the Russian Federation. We conclude by suggesting indicators that could be best suited to promoting balanced regional development that accounts for the environment, economy, and social needs of sparsely populated territories

Assessing the contribution of subsistence economy in income generation of rural households in Yakutia

Traditional economic activity is a significant part of non- observed economy sustaining in regions with a large share of rural population. Non-transparency of subsistence economy hampers assessment of its contribution to goods and services production, the number and income levels of self-employed. The paper summarizes a study of contribution of private subsidiary plots and other forms of traditional economic activity (hunting, fishery, gathering) in rural household incomes and self- employment in Yakutia based on a representative sociological survey of 2017-2019. The share of in-kind income in household budgets estimated by the authors averages 15.7%, partly compensating for cash income deficit and helping alleviate poverty problem in the region

Russian Agriculture and Climate Change

The topic of this issue is Russian Agriculture and Climate Change. Firstly, Marianna Poberezhskaya debates whether recent Russian measures in the area of climate policy will translate into intentional Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reductions; secondly, Daiju Narita, Tuyara Gavrilyeva, and Aleksandr Isaev discuss the challenges of forest fires in Russia; thirdly, Florian Schierhorn asks whether Russian agriculture and agricultural exports will profit from climate change; fourthly, Taras Gagalyuk and Anna Hajdu present the results of an analysis of the institutional, organizational and individual (personal) drivers of socially responsible activities of Russian agricultural enterprises.Das Thema dieser Ausgabe sind die russische Landwirtschaft und der Klimawandel. Erstens diskutiert Marianna Poberezhskaya, ob die jüngsten russischen klimapolitischen Maßnahmen zu einer beabsichtigten Reduzierung von Treibhausgasemissionen führen werden; zweitens diskutieren Daiju Narita, Tuyara Gavrilyeva und Aleksandr Isaev die Herausforderungen von Waldbränden in Russland; drittens fragt Florian Schierhorn, ob die russische Landwirtschaft und der Agrarexport vom Klimawandel profitieren werden; viertens präsentieren Taras Gagalyuk und Anna Hajdu die Ergebnisse einer Analyse der institutionellen, organisatorischen und individuellen (persönlichen) Triebkräfte sozial verantwortlichen Handelns russischer Agrarunternehmen.ISSN:1863-042

Springtime Flood Risk Reduction in Rural Arctic: A Comparative Study of Interior Alaska, United States and Central Yakutia, Russia

Every spring, riverine communities throughout the Arctic face flood risk. As the river ice begins to thaw and break up, ice jams—accumulation of chunks and sheets of ice in the river channel, force melt water and ice floes to back up for dozens of kilometers and flood vulnerable communities upstream. Via a comparative analysis between two flood-prone communities in Alaska and Yakutia (Siberia), this study examines key components of flood risk—hazards, exposure, and vulnerability, and existing practices in flood risk reduction in rural Arctic. The research sites are two rural communities—Galena (Yukon River) and Edeytsy (Lena River), which sustained major ice-jam floods in May 2013. The data was acquired through a combination of direct observations on site, review of documents and archives, focus group discussions, and surveys. Five focus groups with US and Russian representatives from disaster management agencies revealed a few similar patterns as well as significant differences in flood risk reduction strategies. The main differences included higher reliance on mechanical and short-term ice jam and flood mitigation efforts (e.g., ice-jam demolition) in the Russian Arctic, and lack of a centralized flood management model in the US. Surveys conducted among population at risk during the site visits to Edeytsy (November 2015) and Galena (March 2016) revealed higher satisfaction levels with the existing flood risk reduction efforts among Edeytsy residents. Survey respondents in Galena indicated the lack of ice jam removal and other flood prevention measures as the key drawback in the existing flood management. Historical analysis, conducted via the disaster Pressure and Release (PAR) model, revealed that springtime flood risk in both regions results from complex interactions among a series of natural processes that generate conditions of hazard, and human actions that generate conditions of communities’ exposure and vulnerability. The analysis revealed colonial heritage, top-down governance, and limited inclusion of local communities in the decision-making as the driving forces of vulnerability in both regions. Seasonal weather patterns and regional river channel morphology determine the location, severity, and duration of floods. The analysis also revealed the importance of continuous communication between all stakeholders in timely and effective flood risk management in both regions

Study protocol : International joint research project 'climate change resilience of Indigenous socioecological systems' (RISE)

Background Anthropogenic changes in the environment are increasingly threatening the sustainability of socioecological systems on a global scale. As stewards of the natural capital of over a quarter of the world's surface area, Indigenous Peoples (IPs), are at the frontline of these changes. Indigenous socioecological systems (ISES) are particularly exposed and sensitive to exogenous changes because of the intimate bounds of IPs with nature. Traditional food systems (TFS) represent one of the most prominent components of ISES, providing not only diverse and nutritious food but also critical socioeconomic, cultural, and spiritual assets. However, a proper understanding of how future climate change may compromise TFS through alterations of related human-nature interactions is still lacking. Climate change resilience of indigenous socioecological systems (RISE) is a new joint international project that aims to fill this gap in knowledge. Methods and design RISE will use a comparative case study approach coupling on-site socioeconomic, nutritional, and ecological surveys of the target ISES of Sakha (Republic of Sakha, Russian Federation) and Karen (Kanchanaburi, Thailand) people with statistical models projecting future changes in the distribution and composition of traditional food species under contrasting climate change scenarios. The results presented as alternative narratives of future climate change impacts on TFS will be integrated into a risk assessment framework to explore potential vulnerabilities of ISES operating through altered TFS, and possible adaptation options through stakeholder consultation so that lessons learned can be applied in practice. Discussion By undertaking a comprehensive analysis of the socioeconomic and nutritional contributions of TFS toward the sustainability of ISES and projecting future changes under alternative climate change scenarios, RISE is strategically designed to deliver novel and robust science that will contribute towards the integration of Indigenous issues within climate change and sustainable agendas while generating a forum for discussion among Indigenous communities and relevant stakeholders. Its goal is to promote positive co-management and regional development through sustainability and climate change adaptation