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In the politics and economics of Russia and China, the factor of space is being re-evaluated: instead of being a “burden " requiring enormous costs to overcome in vast territories, it is becoming a key strategic resource for these countries. This is not happening automatically, but as a result of targeted state policy (spatial, structural, investment, infrastructure). The aim of this article is to identify the characteristics of state regulation of spatial development in the PRC, as well as to assess the possibilities of using Chinese experience in Russia. This experience involves a real transition from economic and commercial goals to a focus on increasing social value, based on people and their environment. China’s modernisation is based on achieving scientific and technological leadership and the harmonious development of its provinces and autonomous regions, as well as reducing disparities in the development of cities and villages. This confirms the author’s earlier hypothesis that China, through its strategic goals and practical actions, is implementing the development model that Russia and its most important macro-region, Siberia, should adopt. This article is the first part of a two-part series devoted to this issue. It explores the specifics of strategic planning in China and examines issues of state regulation in the country’s problematic macroregions - the Northeast and West. The second article, to be published in the next issue of the journal, will examine one of China’s model regions for spatial development (the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region) and formulate the “secrets to the success ” of China’s spatial development, against the backdrop of Russia’s untapped potential.

With the growing relevance of environmental issues in the energy sector, the issue of switching to renewable energy sources is becoming increasingly acute. Therefore, the use of biofuels may be relevant in areas with a developed timber processing complex. Despite the fact that its share in the total fuel consumption in Russia is no more than 1%, in some regions this figure reaches 10%. Interest in biofuels is associated with its environmental friendliness, the need to utilize production waste and, in some cases, low cost. The article presents an overview of the biofuel market in Russia with its main trends and prospects for use, an analysis of the dynamics of biofuel production and consumption. A comparative assessment of the economic efficiency of fuel pellets and chips in low- and medium-capacity boiler houses is given. It is concluded that the use of fuel chips is only justified in the vicinity of timber processing plants, while the use of fuel pellets is only justified in certain areas, such as isolated or protected areas. A possible solution to the problems of the timber processing complex in Russia that have arisen under the influence of sanctions may be an increase in domestic demand for biofuels.

Under climate warming, changes in the growth, vital condition and habitats of woody plants are predicted mainly on the border of their ranges. We studied the effect of the changing hydrothermal regime on the condition of pine forests growing on the southern border of the Pinus sylvestris L. range (Tuva basin). During the “warming restart” in the 21st century, the values of the pine growth index (GI) exceeded the previously observed GI maxima, due to the relative improvement in humidification conditions in the last decade. At the same time, the frequency and area of fires increased (the fire return interval decreased to 5 ± 1 years in fragments and to 3 ± 2 years in the whole territory). The number of viable undergrowth in the burning areas (on average up to 10 thousand/ha) is potentially sufficient for successful post-fire regeneration of pine forests. However, repeated grass-roots fires periodically destroy the undergrowth. Currently, an increase in air temperature combined with satisfactory humidification contributes to the growth of pine trees. Improvement of humidification is predicted under all climatic scenarios (SSP4.5, SSP7.0 and SSP8.5) in the studied pine habitats. However, the current level of burning (which leads to the destruction of undergrowth in the areas traversed by fire) threatens the preservation of relict stands of pine trees at the southern limit of its range. Under warming conditions, the preservation of pine trees in the south of its range is due to a combination of two factors - the dynamics of burning and humidification.

Changes in breeding, distribution and abundance of waders in a key area of the Bolshezemelskaya Tundra in 2024, characterized by a cold and prolonged spring, were analyzed in comparison with 2 previous warmer years. In cold 2024, incubation in waders started 2 weeks later than in 2022 and 2023 and was observed only in species belonging to the Arctic fauna type. The total nesting density of all waders in 2024 was lower in different habitat types than in the 2 previous years. Birds used habitats that were freed from snow cover at the earliest time for nesting. In these habitat types, nest density in 2024 was higher than in the warmer years 2022 and 2023. An increase in nesting density of Little Stint Calidris minuta (Leisler, 1812) and Dunlin Calidris alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) was observed in 2024 compared to 2022 and 2024, for which the study area is the southern part of the breeding range. The total abundance of waders in 2024, compared to 2022 and 2023, decreased by more than 2 times.

Rapid climate warming in the Arctic contributes to an increase in the number of fungal species. However, the long-term dynamics of alien mycobiota, especially in Siberia, has been studied fragmentarily. In one of the largest industrial centers of the Arctic - Norilsk city and nearby settlements located in Taimyr (Dolgano-Nenets) district of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, 78 species of fungi and pseudofungi (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Oomycota) were collected on alien plants over a hundred-year period. Of these, 59 species are new to distict, 32 of which are noted for the Russian Arctic for the first time. Fungi are associated with 57 species of alien woody and herbaceous plants, eight of which are included in the Black Book of Siberian Flora. 50 species of fungi were found on woody plants and 38 on herbaceous plants. The richest mycocomplexes are associated with Populus tremula (seven species of fungi), Acer negundo and Prunus padus (five species each). Most of the alien fungi species (69.2 %) are taxa widespread in Siberian forests, which, thanks to alien host plants, were able to expand their range to the north, while 7.7 % are invasive for the entire territory of the Arctic and Siberia. The primary ranges of 24 fungi species are located in America, East Asia and Europe. All alien fungal species were brought to district unintentionally. The main vectors of dispersal are the development of transport infrastructure and the movement of transport, people and related goods during economic development of territories. The first results indicate the absence of a correlation between the number of aphyllophoroid fungi species with the age and area of cities, but a reliable relationship has been established with the number of residents. A detailed study of other territories will allow the development of a Black List of the Russian Arctic mycobiota.

In cryoaridic conditions of the South Chuya glaciation center (Altai Mountains) on the foreland of the Sophiysky glacier (2410-2500 m above sea level), primary vegetation successions were studied from the settlement of the first vascular plants, leafy mosses and ground lichens and the formation of simple groups to primary plant communities in deglaciated area between the modern glacier tongue to the terminal moraine rim of the mid-19-th century. Three stages of primary vegetation succession were identified, the species composition of vascular plants, leafy mosses and ground lichens, the main participants in succession, and dominant species were fetched out, and the features of primary vegetation were characterized. Ideas were obtained about the course of primary succession in cryoaridic conditions occurring in the upper part of the mountain-steppe belt of the South Chuya Range. It has been fetched out that over 150 years, a complex of plant communities similar to high-mountain tundras was formed in these cold and dry conditions. 126 species of vascular plants, 22 species of leafy mosses, and 6 species of ground lichens participate in the primary succession on the foreland of the Sophiysky glacier.

Successional transformations after fires in broad-leaved Korean pine and Korean pine-dark coniferous forests of Sikhote-Alin are considered at the population structural level. The principles and provisions of the systemic approach and the closely related concept of structural levels were adopted as the methodological basis. We consider successions as an integral biogeocenotic process and at the same time it is a differentiated process within which the specific development of elements of different structural levels (phytocenotic, population, etc.) is carried out. In establishing the basic content, driving forces and mechanisms of regulation of the succession process at the population structural level, well-known knowledge in areas of evolutionary theory. The article summarizes the results of long-term studies of the features of age-related development, growth rates, the rhythm of generation change, the dynamics of the indicators of the cenotic role and the number of leading population. In addition, changes in the species composition and stocks of viable seeds in the litter and soil during post-fire successions are considered.

For the first time, information about the algae of the Tapsa River is presented in the Tapsinsky State Nature Reserve of national significance. A list of algae has been compiled, including 103 specific and intraspecific taxa, which belong to 50 genera, 28 families and 6 divisions. It has been established that the algoflora is based on diatoms. 9 dominants have been identified. A comparison of the algoflora of the Tapsa River and the Hutinsky Nature Reserve was carried out. An ecological and geographical analysis of the algae of these watercourses has been performed. It has been established that the algoflora of rivers is represented by benthic species, with a predominance of indifferent forms in relation to the need and active reaction of the environment. 137 types of saprobicity indicators were identified in all the studied watercourses. The predominance of betamesosaprobionts and oligosaprobionts was noted. Geographically, cosmopolitan and boreal species dominated.

The article studies the manifestations of rhythm in the seasonal dynamics of apical growth of stems and axial shoots of Scots pine trees growing in areas with different forest growth conditions (forest cultures and natural regeneration under the canopy) in the forest park of Yekaterinburg. The analysis was carried out based on a comprehensive quantitative approach to the study of morphogenesis, including a comparison of morphometric and physiological data. Four stages lasting 1-4 weeks were distinguished in seasonal changes in growth characteristics. The seasonal dynamics of the growth rate is nonlinear, and accelerations are oscillatory. The period of acceleration oscillations is about one week, which corresponds to infradian rhythms. The amplitudes of acceleration oscillations and the growth rate increase at the first two stages, and decrease at the stages of additional and complete growth. It was found that the general appearance of the seasonal dynamics of growth rates and accelerations of stem and branches is similar. The differences between them are in the discrepancy between the start and end dates of individual growth stages, as well as in higher rate of stem growth. It was found that a decrease in the influx of assimilates and reserve substances into the apical part of the stem by removing branches of the two upper tiers of the crown leads to a decrease in the stem growth rate, but does not change its seasonal dynamics. It was found that seasonal changes in the stem and branch growth rate in Scots pine correlate with air temperature more strongly than in previously studied species. No connection was found between growth acceleration and air temperature. The revealed features of stem and branch growth indicate that the morphogenetic processes in them are of a similar nature.

In the third decade of the XXI century in St. Petersburg, phenological anomalies are most pronounced in the “Spring Revival” sub-season, both of its phenomena began to occur at a significantly early date, with great anticipation. At the same time, gray alder began to bloom especially early, as an indicator of the first stage of the “Spring Revival” sub-season. The second most powerful anomaly occurs at the second stage of the “Beginning of Summer” subseason and lasts almost until the end of the calendar year, including the “Pre-winter”. At the same time, the summer phenomena are ahead of schedule, and from the “Beginning of Autumn” sub-season, the phenodates abruptly change their sign to the opposite. All the phenological stages and sub-seasons of autumn began to occur at a late date. For the first time, in some years, the “Beginning of Autumn” sub-season came later by 12 days (2022) and 18 days (2024), and the second stage of the “Beginning of Autumn” sub-season in 2024 began 16 days later than the norm of the climate of the 30th anniversary of 1980-2009. The duration of the “Winter” season decreased by 2021-2024 by 9 days, and the summer season increased by 11 days. In the context of ongoing and increasing climate warming, the importance of phenological observations and the need for continuous monitoring are increasing. The role of botanical gardens as biodiversity conservation centers is increasing.