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The development of Scutellaria supinа individuals was studied in the Asian part of the distribution range. Four life forms (subshrub, dwarf subshrub, taproot herbaceous polycarpic and long-rhizomatous-taproot herbaceous polycarpic) were described in different growing conditions. The mechanisms of structural transformations of individual plants and modes of morphological evolution of life forms of the species were detected.

The study concerned shoot formation and structural and morphological peculiarities of different life forms of Nepeta pamirensis specimens, as well as their morphogenesis and its polyvariety in the conditions of the Pamir Mountains (Tajikistan). Depending on the habitat conditions, Nepeta pamirensis specimens formed three life forms: herbaceous caudex taproot perennial plants, cushion semishrubs and aeroxylic semishrubs. For each life form the phases of morphogenesis were determined and the functional and zonal structure of shoot systems were described.

Structure of monocarpic shoots of some representatives of the Sparganiaceae family (Sparganium emersum Rehm., S. nаtans L. (subgenus Xanthosparganium), Sparganium erectum L. and Sparganium microcarpum (Neum.) Domin (subgenus Melanosparganium)) was analyzed with the help of the modular approach. The structure of all three module categories - elementary (EM), universal (UM) and basic (BM) - was described. With decreasing of EM value, all investigated species lined up in the following descending order: S. emersum (23) > S. erectum (20) > S. nаtans (19) > S. microcarpum (18). It was determined that the level of EM similarity between two bur-reed subgenera reached 30 %. The rest EM part was specific for certain subgenera as well as for certain species. It was shown that dissimilarities between different ecological forms of Sparganium were due not to quantitative EM increase but to their transformation ability which improves species adaptation to varying water level conditions of reservoirs. UM value in the representatives of both subgenera equaled 4, BM values were represented by two similar variants. This was caused by the similarity of habitats of the model species. The plants’ special features on the level of structural-functional organization of different types of monocarpic shoots were shown. Differences in the set of structural-functionаl zones for particular shoot types were also revealed.

The features of growth of C. hirta on the oil-contaminated soil were studied for the first time. Reduction of morphometric parameters of leaves, rhizomes, and enlargement of roots under the influence of oil were determined. Duration of morphogenesis of C. hirta plants on the oil-polluted soil was also reduced. Early ageing of leaves was observed. Rhizomes of the plants from the petropolluted soils branched less. Their plagiotropic growth soon changed to the orthotropic. As the result of the study, the data on morphology, morphogenesis and ecology of C. hirta were replenished.

Interdecadal cyclicity of tree ring increment on the upper and lower limits of the forest in mountainous regions of Inner Asia was estimated. This data and records from Teeli meteorological station were used to reconstruct June and July temperatures since 1715 and May and June water discharge of the Buyant River (Mongolia) since 1474. Verification of the detected cycles using the instrumental hydrometeorological data allowed concluding that 21–45-year cycles of tree ring growth had been caused by climtic oscillations.

Quantitative dynamics, water surface area, and water level of lakes in the Trans-Baikal forest-steppe zone were studied by means of spectroradiometry (Landsat satellite), gravimetry (GRACE satellite) and altimetry (Envisat satellite). The number of lakes and their water surface area correlated with precipitation (r² = 0.84–0.85), summer and annual temperature (r²= −0.77…−0.9) and drought index (r² = 0.95…0.97). During extremely dry periods (2006–2010) the number of lakes decreased by four (compared to 1989) and their water surface area decreased by three (compared to 2000) were observed. The rate of change in the water level of the lakes (~29 years) was determined.

The succession of a rodent population was investigated in forest biocenoses of the Visim Nature Biosphere Reserve (Sverdlovsk region, Middle Ural) after a windfall and two fires. The differences in the total abundance of rodents and their ratio in the community before natural catastrophes and at different postcatastrophic regenerative succession stages were noted. Structural reorganizations in the rodent population were connected with different response of the species to the wind- and fire-induced transformation of their habitats. These reorganizations can be considered compensatory mechanisms which support the stability of small mammal communities during natural disasters.

The effect produced by copper ions on physiological and biochemical parameters of natural biofilms was studied. Biofilms are multispecific formations of phototrophic microorganisms with the dominance of the Phormidium cyanobacteria. It was established that the impact of Cu²⁺ ions (20 mg/dm³) after 1 hour caused a decrease of chlorophyll in the biofilms. It also resulted in the appearance of pheophytin in the cyanobacterial suspension, and an increase of lipid peroxidation. In 24 hours the microorganisms got adapted, which was testified by the increased catalase activity, reduced liрid peroxidation, and restoration of chlorophyll. During a 1-hour contact of homogenized biofilm with copper solution (the ratio of 0,031 g. per 100 cm³ of the solution), copper ion (II) concentration reduced to the level of MPC. The purification rate constituted 99 %. This feature of biofilms could be used for creating a biosorbent.

After a research on spring migration of Falconiformes in 2011 and 2013, a key importance of the South Baikal migratory corridor as a zone of bird concentration in spring was discovered additionally to its well-known autumn importance. Conclusions on numbers, species list, and features of migratory behavior were made. During long-time observation of Falconiformes, three patterns of their migratory movement through the southernmost part of Lake Baikal were determined. The patterns depended on cloud, wind, and ice situation. The relation between migratory activity and meteorological situation on the migratory route was found. Species-specific differences in the birds’ reaction on weather changes during spring migration were shown on the example of four common migrating raptor species.

The assessment of 16 cenopopulations of Hedysarum alpinum including individual and population level was conducted on the territory near Lake Baikal. Floodplain meadows proved to be the most favorable habitats for the studied species. Cenopopulations from the permafrost zone and cenopopulations under human impact were characterized by pessimal state with the lowest values of the species’ parameters. The ability of H. alpinum to grow in unfavorable conditions by means of decreasing individual parameters and population characteristics has the adaptive significance. This ability determines the main integral property of the species which is tolerance.