Bugs (Heteroptera) of treeless areas of Chukotka (Russia)

The article summarizes the data on bugs in the treeless areas of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (tundra zone and the elfin wood subzone). Taking into account the available literary sources, as well as new materials (obtained in 2010s), 62 species of Heteroptera from 41 genera and 12 families are known here; 18 species recorded for these landscapes for the first time and 11 — for the Chukotka AO as a whole. There are: Saldula fucicola (J. Sahlberg, 1970) (Saldidae), Acompocoris brevirostris Kerzhner, 1979 (Anthocoridae); Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür, 1843), Leptopterna ferrugata (Linnaeus, 1758), Teratocoris saundersi Douglas et Scott, 1869, Plagiognathus obscuriceps (Stål, 1858), Plagiognathus pini Vinokurov, 1978, Psallus anticus (Reuter, 1876) (Miridae); Kleidocerys resedae (Panzer, 1797) (Lygaeidae); Aelia frigida Kiritshenko, 1926, Rhacognathus punctatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pentatomidae). The number of known Heteroptera species for the tundra region of Chukotka increased from 39 to 51; for the elfin wood subzone — from 10 to 32 species. Some distribution features of bug species within zonal and climatic gradients of Chukotka are revealed.

Contribution to the moss flora of tundra zone of the Kola Peninsula (North-West of Russia)

Moss flora of surroundings of the Drozdovka and Ivanovskaya bays on the northeastern coast of the Kola Peninsula (Barents Sea) was studied in 2016. A list of 203 species of mosses is presented, 13 of them are new for tundra zone of the Murmansk Region. 135 species were collected within the Nature monument “Guba Ivanovskaya”. Some rare variations and forms of mosses were collected. New localities of 6 species included in the Red Data Book of the Murmansk Region (2014) were found. Populations of Cynodontium suecicum, rare in the world species, was revealed near Drozdovka River. The studied bryoflora is similar to the other local moss floras of the tundra zone of the Murmansk Region.

The origin of the mountain (goltzy) deserts of the European Arctic: A review of theories .

The main theories of origin of the European Arctic tundra and subarctic mountain(goltzy)deserts are reviewed, in application to the Kola Peninsula. The theory of «tabula rasa» stated that all plants died during glaciation, and then immigrated fromtheCentral Europe, Siberia, and British Isles. According to another theory, during several Pleistocene glaciations, plants survived in ice-free refugia. Modern bota-ny point of views supports post-glacial migration of species and rather «tabula rasa»theory. The border of the timberline moving up inthe Holocene thermal optimum did not affect the subarctic mountain de-serts, unlike the tundra zone. Based on this, the evolution of the high mountain deserts vegetation probably meant the establishment of groups of species that differ from modern communities of the lower disposed tundra zone. Many types of mountain tundra vegetation, apparently, came from the mountains of North-East Azia; however, many species have been originated from the forest communi-ties. The subarctic mountain deserts have apparently not changed since the retreat of the glacier.

Methodological Aspects of Determining Type, Age, and Origin of Archaeological Wood: The Case of Fort Nadym

Archaeological studies in the forest-tundra zone of Western Siberia are highly relevant to studying the material culture, social structure, and ethnic history. The presence of permafrost ensures the unique preservation of organics in cultural layers, including timber, which makes it possible to conduct dendrochronological studies (calendar dating of samples, determination of species composition, typological analysis, and the source of the timber origin). In 2011–2012, during the excavations at Fort Nadym, 347 samples of wood were selected for the assessment of the age of wooden structures. The results showed that most samples belonged to three species of trees: Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.), Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.), and Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour). The typological analysis revealed that walls were mostly built from spruce, pine logs, and half-logs, whereas the floors were made from larch and pine. To assess the origin of wood, a new methodological approach was proposed. As a result, it was demonstrated that the main building material was driftwood. This has allowed us to make more accurate interpretations and to specify the years of construction. The analysis indicates three periods of construction / reconstruction: the 1450s–1460s, 1470s–1480s, and 1520s–1570s. The new approach can be applied to other wooden monuments located on the banks of major water arteries of the Siberian forest-tundra zone.

Geoecological assessment of territories on which gas condensate field facilities were liquidated

A typical section of the tundra zone of the Far North is considered here as an object of research. Such territories slowly recover after technogenic development. Therefore, an urgent task is an assessment of the environment in the zone of the gas condensate field facilities. Carrying out such assessment before the start of reclamation makes it possible to realize the company's compliance with environmental requirements in the process of production activities, assess the tendency of environmental pollution and determine the main problems of environmental restoration.

New data on species diversity of Annelida (Oligochaeta, Hirudinea) in the Kharbey lakes system, Bolshezemelskaya tundra (Russia)

One of the features of the tundra zone is the diversity of freshwater bodies, where, among benthic invertebrates, representatives of Annelida are the most significant component in terms of ecological and species diversity. The oligochaete and leech faunas have previously been studied in two of the three largest lake ecosystems of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra (the Vashutkiny Lakes system, Lake Ambarty and some other lakes in the Korotaikha River basin). This article provides current data on annelid fauna from the third lake ecosystem in the region, Kharbey Lakes and adjacent water bodies. The annelid fauna includes 68 species, including 51 oligochaete species, and 17 species of leeches. For each species, we give information on currently recognised classification, taxonomic synonymy, geographical distribution, findings of the species within the Russian tundra, and brief ecological characteristics.