The paper analyses migration balance in urban districts and municipal districts ofRussiain 2012–2014 from the perspective of migration balance impact on concentration and deconcentration of the population. We evaluate the general distribution of the municipal unities of this level across the country taking into account the population density characteristics and current ratio of sparsely and densely populated territories. The results of the analysis demonstrate that in nowadaysRussiathe concentration of the population is intensifying, thus contributing to the growing gap between densely populated cities and deserted territories of poorly inhabited zone. In contrast to many European countries as well as to theUSA, where the processes of concentration and deconcentration of population have been replacing each other during the last several decades,Russiakeeps the population concentration trend unchanged. The paper looks at two migration flows: (1) from intra-regional periphery to the center – the outflow intensifies as the distance from the center grows, (2) from municipal units with low population density to densely populated territories, primarily to big cities. We also evaluate the role of certain types of migration (intra-regional, interregional and international) in the process of concentration and deconcentration of the population.

In many countries, it is possible to observe the contradiction between the increase of cross-border flows under the impact of globalization and regional integration and remaining considerable and often increasing barrier ft ictions of the borders. A comparative study of interactions with adjacent regions on different sections of Russian borders revealed a controversial character of the relation betweei crossborder flows and borders’ barrier functions. The authors suggest an approach for the evaluation of state borders’ barrier function. The capacity of all road-crossing points was estimated and compared with the real flows of vehicles and people. It is shown that the density of crossing points is changing depending on the shills in bilateral relations betweenRussiaand neighboring countries and the intensity of interactions. A typology of Russian borders by their barrier functions and by the importance of interactions with the neighboring countries was developed.

General review of non-extensive statistical mechanics as a theoretical framework for the study of dynamic, self-organizing systems is presented. Retrospective analysis shows that in the course of ecological and geographical research empirical laws were established, which are direct consequences of aforementioned theory. The generality of the theory and its empirical verification allows us to consider non-extensive thermostatics as an important theoretical basis for the fundamental ecological and geographical research, which opens new opportunities for the physical interpretation o f the processes under study.

The transnationalization of the world economy and the emergence of a powerful constellation of TNCs is one of the most significant phenomena of the globalization era, requiring an interdisciplinary approach in the study. At the same time, it is a deeply geographical process, which necessitates the creation of a new research and educational field within human geography namely – the corporate geography. The article sums up relevance, novelty, scientific and practical significance of the foundation of corporate geography, its methodological research principles, the main goal and tasks, opportunities and directions of implementation of its functions (information, research, philosophical, educational, and applied) as an independent sphere of scientific knowledge. The present features of the conceptual and terminological apparatus, principles, methods and approaches to the study of corporate geography are specified; also short and long-term development objectives as well as the most topical problems are discussed.

On the basis of the analysis of data of geobotanical, hydrogeochemical and microbiological observation during 2002–2015 years on east part of Vasyugan bog complex (Western Siberia) is offered a hypothesis of formation of a convex relief of oligotrophic bog ecosystems as a result of the adaptation of system “a pine – bushes – sphagnum mosses” to hydrological and hydrogeochemical conditions and mutual influence of biotic and abiotic components. The pine forms “base” of ecosystems, bushes – “a force layer”, and sphagnum mosses act in a dual role “filler” of ecosystem and “stimulator” of a vertical gain of a surface. Oligotrophic bog ecosystem is not equilibrium and continuously changes depending on hydrogeochemical conditions which adjust quantity of accessible biogenic elements (the first – connections of Ca and P), an oxygen regime of a peat deposit, deducing or transformation of toxic products of biogeochemical and biochemical processes (for example, Al and NO₂ –). Concentration of toxic substances in many respects depends on functioning oxidizing and regenerative geochemical barriers, which, in turn, are connected with a water mode of a bog and properties of bog vegetation.

Long-term phases of multi-year changes for the naturalized annual and seasonal runoff of basins of Ob (outlet is Salekhard), Yenisei (Igarka) andLena(Kyusyur) during period of instrumental observations and influence on them of anthropogenic factors were revealed on basis of normalized cumulative curves. It is shown that since 1930–1940 prior to the beginning of the 21st century the naturalized annual and seasonal runoff were characterized by two main long-term phases of changes. The phase of runoff decrease, which started in 1930–1940 and continued during several decades, was replaced in 1970–1980 by long-term increase of annual runoff, floods runoff and winter runoff that has been interfaced in time with the beginning of recent air temperature rise. It is shown, that long-term phases of runoff changes are synchronous with the respective phases of changes in air temperature and macro-scale atmospheric circulation.

Change in the degree of geographical isolation resulting from the movement of the continents, periodically merging in super-continents is considered as a reason of the dynamics of biodiversity in the history of the biosphere. Removing geographical barriers and climate change leads to reducing the diversity of ecological niches, growth of competition of species, and corresponding reduction in species diversity (mass extinctions), confirmed by paleontological data. Subsequent divergence of continental plates, geographic isolation has led to a new round of evolution and increase of diversity in the evolutionary new higher level. Contemporary processes of globalization also lead to a decrease in the role of geographic isolation and thus to a reduction of biodiversity, possibly before the start of a new round of evolution in expanding the biosphere outward the Earth.

On the backdrop of increase in number and area occupied by specially protected areas (PAs), their involvement in economic activities increases. The trend is typical for a new Russian territory – the Crimean Peninsula. The article presents results of analysis of current structure of natural resource use in PAs of the Crimean Peninsula that is represented by 208 objects. The current PAs system of Crimea along with its structure by categories, number of objects and their areas is demonstrated. The maximum PAs area is accounted for wildlife refuges (zakazniks) and nature reserves – the objects of strict protection (75%). The data also provided on the dynamics of PAs system formation from 2000 to 2014. It was indicated the increase in number of protected areas by 46%, and their area by 57%. Proportion for the areas covered by PAs in each administrative unit of the Crimean Peninsula has been calculated. It was found that the proportion of protected areas is higher in the urban districts. Bakhchisarai district with PAs ratio above 10% stands out from the other peninsula districts. In seven districts protected areas has not been established yet. A wide range of land use types is indicated for wildlife refuges and natural monuments. Types of natural resource use are identified, which are represented in protected areas of the Crimean Peninsula (a case of Baidarskii Reserve), and their spatial structure is demonstrated. The main types of nature resource use in Baidarskii Reserve are recreational, forestry, agricultural and residential. At the same time, special attention has been paid to the geoecological problems that have arisen because of different types of nature resource use. Agriculture caused transformation of vegetation, soils, and pasture digression. Recreational use of natural resources contributed to changing the composition and structure of plant communities, along with transforming density of upper soil layers. Recreational load is localized mainly along touristic trails.

The paper is devoted to the dynamics of degraded cultural landscapes of the Ropsha palace-and-park ensemble. This is the former royal residence, initiated by Peter I in 1710. In 1990, the ensemble was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List for № 540–009, as historically important object culture. The article describes the history of the formation of cultural landscapes of the Ropsha park. The degradation of landscapes has begun in the postwar period and since the late 1980s – early 1990s had acquired already practically irreversible. The modern state the landscapes of the Ropsha palace-andpark ensemble is studied and analyzed, and reflected on the created by using GIS technologies (Mapinfo 12.0) landscape map. On the landscape map, 7 types of locations and 24 types of plant communities are allocated. At present, the palace buildings has turned into ruins, park has overgrown of poor value tree species and turned into swamp. Projective cover of bushes in some geocomplexes is 70%. The park has many fallen trees. Meadows areas have long lost their decorative qualities and overgrown with trees and shrubs. The ensemble is located 12 km south-west of the modern border of St. Petersburg, and in the case of its reconstruction could become an interesting tourist attra ction.

Tourism associated with visits to pristine natural areas for studying, visual enjoying by landscapes, animals, wild plants and the general natural heritage located in these areas, is gaining popularity. The natural tourism, including the desert kind of tourism, involves those activities that directly deal with natural resources and attractions. A large part of Iran’s territory is desert and the formation of the tourist complex is becoming an important direction of socioeconomic development. The objective of the article is to assess potential located in the province of Isfahan (Iran) deserts from the point of view of tourism development. The study used the descriptive-comparative method and method of point scoring. The article shows that deserts of Maranjab, Mesr and Dagh Sorkh received the highest rating of tourist attractiveness. October is the ideal month to visit the deserts of Maranjab and Mesr. Given the availability level of tourist infrastructure, the desert of Mesr ranked the first place in terms of tourist attractiveness. For further development of tourism in the analyzed territories, the investments to improve transport infrastructure and create service centers are necessary. The results of the study showed that the most favorable conditions for the development of desert tourism have territories of Abbas Abad, Matin Abad, Mesr, Farahzad, Hosain Abad, Abuzaid Abad and the cities of Khaled Abad and Badrud.

The terminological fundament and meaning of terms of ethnical mentality and traditional use of natural resources are considered. The author believes that, similar to any other derivatives of ethnic tradition, ethnic mentality is profoundly archetypical and is filled with sacral meaning. It is demonstrated that, on the one hand, ethnic mentality is one of the factors of the development of traditional use of natural resources, and on the other hand, traditional use of natural resources is one of the leading driving forces in the evolution of the ethnic mentality. The systemic characteristics and elemental composition of ethnic mentality and traditional use of natural resource are discussed. The author believes that ethnic mentality and traditional use of natural resources are two aspects of interaction between humans and nature being also a result of this interaction. Ethnic mentality provides grounds for the aesthetical, ethical, and spiritual entrance of humans into nature and reunion with it. Traditional use of natural resources is historically established and verified relationships between a human society and its geographic environment. This interaction results not only in a material world but also in a spiritual world of the local evolution of ethnic communities, for which the geographic environment not only serves as a sphere of development of all forms of their spatial organization and a source of natural resources to maintain living activity but also largely predetermines the type of farming, habits, and customs of the humans. Ecological ethics in the present and future should thus be based on the originally nature-protecting traditional ethnic mentality and rational use of natural resources. The core of the latter should consist of traditionally established and historically verified traditional use of natural resources.

This brief essay presents some materials of topographer I. G. Dorofeev, who worked in 1920s‑1930s in the Pamirs as a member of the well-known Tajik-Pamir expedition. These materials demonstrate that Russia did not just “contribute,” but discovered the Pamirs for the sc ience. Russian researchers were the first to map the ridges and peaks, valleys and glaciers of this mountain area. The list of geographical objects, which were firstly mapped by I. G. Dorofeev, as well as five objects bearing his name are presented.