The paper deals with the social and economic aspects of Quebec’s regional development under the influence of continental-oceanic dichotomy. The integral assessment of maritime location of Quebec is based on population distribution and the impact of inland waterways suitable for sea transport. It is shown that the anthropogenic factor is dominant source of maritime features of Quebec. The analysis of the impact of maritime location on the sectoral structure of the economy is made. The conclusion that traditional sea branches of economy are weakly developed but specific to Quebec sea-dependent industries are forming is made. The study proves the efficient use of economy of the province of its macroposition on the sea.

The changes in the rural settlement pattern in Russia from 1959 to 2010 are revealed. The major trend is the polarization of the network, the rapid increase in the proportion of tiny settlements, and a small increase in the share of the largest, as well as leaching of small and medium-sized. The effect of the natural, economic and migration factors, and position relative to the big cities is shown. Six types of regions are recognized by the features of rural settlement pattern on the basis of average population size and composition of settlements by population dynamics. It is shown that the destruction of grass-roots social service centers, linked to the centers of agricultural enterprises, and degeneration of rural settlements in many Russian regions makes the adaptation to the new conditions inevitable. The share of the population living in settlements with a population of less than 200 people can serve as an indicator to identify the regions where the existing network of social services (education, healthcare) will be transformed quickly. Calculations show that regional authorities generally take into account specific features of settlement pattern while optimizing social infrastructure, but in some regions, these processes are unnecessarily slowed down or excessively forcing.

The concept of geotory as synthesis of territory (as land area), aquatory (as water area) and aerotory (as air space) is investigated in a context of the Russian geographical school. The content and structure of the terms “territory” and “geotory” (by E.B. Alaev) are analyzed. Their relationship with the concept of geospace and various types of regions are discussed within the geographical matrix of spatiality, alternative to the matrix by G. D. Kostinsky. Several new concepts (lithotory, hydrotory, rule-relational region etc.) related to the structure of geotory and types of regionalization are proposed.

The paper presents materials of experimental research of thermophysical properties of bryophyta and shows their impact on the active layers of the soils of Arctic tundra of West Spitsbergen. Obtained characteristics of moss cover give the possibility to calculate its thermal resistance at different humidity in cold and warm periods of the year. The application of the responses allows for more accurate prediction of the effects of climate change on thermal state of permafrost soils and their degradation, as well as prediction of the seasonal variations of the active layer thawing of soils covered with moss synusias, identifying opportunities for the formation of different cryogenic elements of the nanorelief of Arctic tundra.

The results of four years of atmospheric aerosol monitoring over Central Siberian forest ecosystems at the international observatory “ZOTTO” (www.zottoproject.org) are presented. The quantitative and qualitative aerosol characteristics as well as the temporal and spatial variability were shown, and pos- sible sources of origin detected. The impact of fire emissions on aerosol component was estimated. The features of air mass circulation in study area were shown and possible impact of different regions on atmospheric aerosols was presented.

The Tselau swamp (Tselaubruсh) in Kaliningrad region is a biogeographically unique swamp in Central Europe which has been formed during Valdai glaciation. It has remained relatively unaltered up to our days. On the basis of fundamental works of German and Russian scientists, as well as field studies of the authors the vegetation and fauna of the Tselau are described. The changes that have occurred during the last century are analyzed.

The basic problems of recreational water use are considered by the case study of Ivankovo reservoir. The influence of different kinds of resting on water quality is found out. Investigation shows that the main impact on ecological conditions of the Ivankovo reservoir is provided by swimming, fishing, motorboat and road transport. Intensive building on the riverside has led to worsening of water quality and considerable degradation of shallows and aquatic complex of the reservoir.

The paper presents the results of geobotanical research in the Urals region over the past 50 years and new methods of assessing the current state of vegetation using phytoecological maps. The main trends in the study of vegetation cover of the Urals and adjacent territories are described.

Eruption of powerful gas plumes near Bennett Island (De Long Islands), observed in 1973–1986, were studied on the basis of complex field and laboratory studies. The likely sources are located. They include underwater cones of presumably basaltic effusions, the occurrence of which dated back to the years from 1974 to 1983. Rhythm of gas eruptions reflects the change of the speed of rotation of the Earth and is similar to the rhythm of volcanic process. The yield of eruptions is adequate to the formation of basalt cones. The previously expressed volcanic hypothesis for the origin of Bennett gas plumes is confirmed.

5 и 6 октября 2012 года в Сеуле прошла организованная Институтом российских исследований Университета международных исследований Ханкук научная конференция “Пространство, память и идентичность: исторический опыт России и Кореи”. Конференция была поддержана правительственным Национальным исследовательским фондом Кореи. Институт российских исследований имеет грант на период с 2009 по 2019 год. Данная конференция – третья в рамках проекта “Реконструкция гуманитарного пространства Российской Федерации: корейский взгляд” (две предыдущие конференции были посвящены внешнеполитическим и внешнеэкономическим взаимосвязям России и Кореи). Конференция была призвана помочь корейской стороне понять российские проблемы.

This article is written as a response to the article by E.L. Faibusovich, V.V. Plechanova “Possible changes in the administrative division of the Russian Federation”, published in Izvestiya Russian Academy of Sciences. Series geography. 2013. № 2. The author discusses the methodological problems of reconstruction of the settlement pattern and the reformation of the regional organization (at regional and intraregional levels) in modern Russia. The negative social and cultural consequences of the reformation proposed by E.L. Faibusovich, V.V. Plechanova is illustrated by a set of examples. Theoretical and ethical meaning of the problem is shown.