Phytocenosis biodiversity at various water levels in mesotrophic Lake Arakhley, Lake Baikal basin, Russia

Small lakes have lower water levels during dry years as was the case in 2000–2020. We sought to show the biodiversity of plant communities at various water levels in Lake Arakhley. Changes in moisture content are reflected in the cyclical variations of the water level in the lake, which decreased approximately 2 m in 2017–2018. These variations affect the biological diversity of the aquatic ecosystems. We present the latest data on the state of the plant communities in this mesotrophic lake located in the drainage basin of Lake Baikal. Lake Arakhley is a freshwater lake with low mineral content and a sodium hydrocarbonate chemical composition. Changes in the nutrient concentration were related to precipitation; inflow volume and organic matter were autochtonous at low water levels. The most diverse groups of phytoplankton found in the lake were Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, and Chrysophyta. High biodiversity values indicate the complexity and richness of the lake’s phytoplankton community. A prevalence of Lindavia comta was observed when water levels were low and Asterionella formosa dominated in high-water years. The maximum growth depth of lacustrine vegetation decreased from 11.0 m to 4.0 m from 1967 to 2018. Decreasing water levels were accompanied by a reduction in the littoral zone, altering the communities of aquatic plants. The hydrophyte communities were monodominant in the dry years and were represented by Ceratophyllum demersum. The vegetation cover of the lake was more diverse in high-water years and variations in the lake’s water content altered the composition of biogenic substances. These changes were reflected in the lake’s phytocenosis

DIRECTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND RISKS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TRANSPORT MEGA-PROJECTS “NORTH-SOUTH” AND “EAST-WEST” UNDER THE NEW GEOPOLITICAL REALITIES

The paper discusses the prospect of the development of Russia’s transport infrastructure mega-projects in the context of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization formation. The paper focuses on the country’s interests in the area of influence of the Silk and the Tea Roads. Economic cooperation with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region on the Trans-Siberian Railway-Mongolia-China direction, with diversification of transport routes to all four oceans and five continents, is the most effective policy for Russia

Resource Economics in the Frontier of the Asian Russia: Consequences, Problems, Suggestions

В статье рассматривается роль природных ресурсов в социально-экономическом развитии приграничных регионов России и Китая. В процессе глобализации все больше увеличивается «прозрачность» национальных границ, и разные регионы по-разному используют этот фактор развития экономики.The role of natural resources in the socio-economic development of frontier regions of Russia and China is discussed at the article. Transparency of national borders in the process of globalization is increasingly raised and different regions use this factor of economic development in different ways

Resource Economics in the Frontier of the Asian Russia: Consequences, Problems, Suggestions

В статье рассматривается роль природных ресурсов в социально-экономическом развитии приграничных регионов России и Китая. В процессе глобализации все больше увеличивается «прозрачность» национальных границ, и разные регионы по-разному используют этот фактор развития экономики.The role of natural resources in the socio-economic development of frontier regions of Russia and China is discussed at the article. Transparency of national borders in the process of globalization is increasingly raised and different regions use this factor of economic development in different ways

Seasonal and spatial distribution of heavy metals in the Selenga River Delta

In order to estimate the present-day pollution levels in the ecosystem of the Selenga River Delta and to monitor the changes caused by the discharge of household refuse and industrial wastes, as well as the functioning of the agricultural and stock farming, a comprehensive study of the water and bottom sediments in the main branches of the Selenga River Delta was carried out. This study has determined the concentrations of heavy metals in river water and bottom sediments in its delta