In the article the basic points from thermodynamics used by V.I. Vernadsky to validatethe concept of planetary shellsare considered. It is shown that the “living” is defined by V.I. Vernadsky as an independent thermodynamic variable, and the “living matter” – in line with thermostatics as a statistical ensemble. Through the definition of organization entropy-information as a natural thermodynamic variable that determines the formation of the noosphereis de facto introduced. It is argued that the system of relations, validated by V.I. Vernadsky, fully meets the modern concepts of non-equilibrium thermodynamics and synergy, and the tasks he set out at the beginning of the 20th century, are remaining unsolved.

Some unknown aspects of activity of V.I.Vernadsky, its scientific communication and cooperation with prominent geographers are shown. The basis of this article was Vernadsky correspondence preserved in the archives of the RAS. Excerpts from letters or a summary of their contents add small new touches to the biography of the great scientist. The correspondence of Vernadskywith D.N.Anuchin (in 2013 the 170th anniversary is celebrated), L.S. Berg, A.A. Grigoriev (130th anniversary), A.N. Krasnov (150thanniversary in 2012), V.V. Dokuchaev (110th anniversary of his death) is considered, as well as the letters by V.Yu. Vize, G.N. Vysotsky, L.I. Prasolov, V.P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky, G.I. Tanfiliev, Yu.M. Shokalsky

Some of the important рroblematic issues of the theory of the cultural landscape are consideredfrom the standpoint of human geography, anthropogenic landscape study and radical geography.

In the article the author suggests the optimal variant of the territorial organization of a local energy systems based on the principle of integration of different distribution models and energy sources. Local (decentralized) and centralized energy systems are viewed as territorial combination. This approach is determining multivariability of composition of energy systems as exemplified by the Central Economic Area of the Russian Federation.

The paper focuses on the application of certain changes in climatic characteristics of cold season for 1950–2006 on the territory of Russia. We consider the duration of the heating period and its intensity, expressed by an index of fuel consumption. There is a significant reduction in the duration of the heating period, these changes are statistically significant on the half of the territory of Russia. Reduction of fuel consumption index is quite large and statistically significant at the whole territory of the country, except for few small-sized areas. To study the characteristics of the heating season,we mark the subjects of the Russian Federation, virtually or completely moving to the next grade ofheating season parameters in the modern warming (1989–2006) compared to the reference period (1950–1980). The correlation between the index of fuel consumption and atmospheric circulation indices NAO, PNA and SCAND for January is calculated. We may assume that the immediate cause of the changes in climatic parameters of Januaryduring the period of1950–2006 is change of atmospheric circulation regime in the mid-1970s.

Using the seven islands of the North Pacific with a large breeding aggregations of sea bird colonies, features of structural and functional organization of island geosystems are analyzed. In the absence of terrestrial predators and humans birds may colonize the whole island and have a major impact on most natural components. Under the influence of centuries of ornithogenicpressure,the top partof the lithogenic base, land cover, soils, and productivity of plant communities of small biological cycle had been changed,forming biogeochemical anomalies and establishing new inter-component relationships. Ornithogenic influence can be seen as a landscape-forming factor, creatingpeculiar ornithogenicgeosystems significantly different in structure, function, and evolution from continental landscapes and similar islands without the bird population.

Information on species richness and distribution of mammals in Eastern Europe in the last 50 thousand years is extremely relevant in the context of the paleogeographic reconstructions of the evolution of ecosystems at the turn of the late Pleistocene – Holocene, as well as forphylogeographic study of modern species, formation of theoretical and practical approaches to the conservation of the gene pool of mammals under anthropogenic climate change. Modern mammalian fauna of Europe includes about 200 species. The spatial redistribution of the mammal habitats in Eastern Europe is highly influenced by the last glaciation and subsequent gradual warming with a sharp transition to the Holocene interglacial climate type. The contents of these processes in Eastern Europe isexpressed in changes in the structure and composition of the zonal local fauna.

The Yamal Peninsulais oneof the most promisingregionsfor the extractionof hydrocarbons inRussia. In this regard,the scopeof its economic developmenteach yearwill increaseand be accompanied bythe construction ofvarious man-madeobjects. They form the zone of transformation(violation)of the natural environment, and relatively unstablelandscapes.The paper considersthree categories ofanthropogenicdisturbancesof relief:areal, linear and linear-areal. The estimation ofanthropogenic transformation ofthe reliefby thedegree ofdisturbance, as well as recommendations for itsprotectionare given.

Historical and cultural complex of the Solovki Islands was inscluded in the World Heritage List in 1992. It is one of the most famous and impressive Russian heritage sites. However its interpretation just as a sum of separate cultural sites, mainly architectural, rejects its real value and is not fruitful for management and protection of the site. It is necessary to take into account the influence of monastery landscape use on the geophysical and ecological processes of the islands, to consider the associative, esthetic, scientific values of the historically modified landscapes and seascapes. Misunderstanding of heritage values leads to misunderstanding of management goals, provokes renovation activities and threats. It is suggested to begin a renomination process, to look for additional values of the site according to UNESCO criteria of outstanding universal value, to recognize the site as a cultural landscape and mixed property. Planning, development and management of the site should be carried according to its mainstream functions – sacral, didactic, memorial, scientific, museum.