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A new oribatid mite species of the genus Oribatella (Oribatida, Oribatellidae) - Oribatella altaica Ermilov sp. n. - is described from soil-litter in Altai mountains, Russia; it is showing an interesting sexual dimorphism in the structure of the posterior part of notogaster (large unpaired concavity bearing a pair of porose areas A3 present in males versus concavity absent, A3 located openly on notogastral surface in females). In addition, data on the known sexually dimorphic Oribatella species are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The remains of the extinct Merck's rhinoceros (Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis (Jäger 1839)), well studied in Western Europe, are rare in Russia. However, thanks to the work of a number of researchers, the geography of the finds and the reconstructed range of the species have been significantly expanded. The time of the optimal existence of Merck's rhinoceros in Yakutia is now recognized as the Middle Pleistocene; the latest finds, dating from the beginning of the late Pleistocene, are known from the southeast of Western Siberia. We provide new radiocarbon dates for the root of a tooth and bone tissue from a previously unstudied lower jaw of the Merck's rhinoceros from Altai (AltR), whose taxonomic identity we confirm using genomic analysis. Both dates provide an age estimate of around 40 thousand years, which corresponds to the Karginsky time (MIS 3), and are the youngest for the species on the territory of Russia. The pollen spectrum from the soil filling the bone canal characterizes plant communities of open landscapes with forest areas on the upland or in the floodplain, and reflects either local features of the environment or communities of the cold stage within the Karginsky interstadial. A second Merck's rhinoceros from the Chondon River (ChR), in extreme northeast Yakutia, was determined by previous researchers to have lived either 45–70 thousand years ago or during the beginning of the Middle Pleistocene. Considering what habitats were available in the region, we propose that the ChR could have lived during the last—Kazantsevo—interglacial (MIS 5e) or later. Both finds, AltR and ChR, extend the temporal range of the species existence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lectotype of Otiorhynchus (Stupamacus) proletarius Boh. is designated, the first finding of this species since its description is reported from the Katon-Karagay National Park in Eastern Kazakhstan (South-Western Altai). Photographs of Otiorhynchusproletarius and its habitat are provided. Otiorhynchus (Trichosmobodes) lukjanovitshi Korotyaev, sp. n. from the Katon-Karagay National Park, related to O. perplexus Gyll. and O. obscurus Gyll., is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three common Western Palaearctic species of the weevil subfamily Entiminae are recorded from Yakutia for the first time: Otiorhynchus velutinus Germ., O. raucus (F.) and Omias puberulus Boh. The history of their appearance in the extant fauna of Yakutia is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recently described from the Russian Altai and Kazakh Altai Anthonomus dudkoi Legalov is found in the Katon-Karagay National Park in Eastern Kazakhstan (South-Western Altai). Photographs of the adults of both sexes of this species and of A. germanicus Dieckmann, of a female of Anthonomus morosus Faust from the Southeastern Altai, and of the aedeagus of Anthonomus dudkoi and A. morosus from Southeastern Altai are provided showing that A. dudkoi is close to A. morosus but not to A. germanicus, as was stated in the original description. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials from the analysed sites of the Staroaleyka and Kamen Cultures in the Forest-Steppe Altai (Southern Siberia) are dated to the 6th–2nd c. BC. The aim of this study is to introduce the dental data for the Staroaleyka and Kamen Cultures into scientific discourse, to identify and analyse intergroup variability within both communities, their origin and genesis, and the direction of their relations with the Bronze and Early Iron Age populations. Materials of the Staroaleyka Culture are represented by a series from three burial grounds: Firsovo-14, Tuzovskiye Bugry and Obskiye Plesy 2, dated to the 6th–5th c. BC. The Kamen Culture series from the Forest-Steppe Altai has been collected from six burial grounds: Rogozikha-1 (6th–4th c. BC), Obyezdnoye-1 (5th–4th c. BC), Kamen-2 and Kirillovka-3 (5th–3rd c. BC), Novotroitskoye 1 and 2 (5th–3rd c. BC), Maslyakha-1 (3rd–2nd c. BC). In total, 402 individuals were examined using the Odontological program. The analysed craniological series are stored in the TSU (Tomsk) Cabinet of Anthropology and the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography of Altai of AltSU (Barnaul). As comparative data, published Bronze and Early Iron Age series from Western, Southern and south of Eastern Siberia, southern Trans-Urals, Aral Sea Region, Central and Western Kazakhstan were used. Study methods: 25 odontoscopic and odontoglyphic features were recorded. Ten key characteristics, which have comparative data in literature, were discussed. The evaluation of the traits and their further analysis were carried out according to the methodology of A.A. Zubov. The construction of circular polygons and calculation of the average taxonomic distances were carried out in the GROUP COMPARISON program (author — Olga M. Leybova), designed for processing of dental data. Intergroup variability was assessed through correspondence analysis in the STATISTICA 8 software. For the first time, dental data for the Staroaleyka Culture population have been received, and data for Kamen Culture has been significantly extended. Despite the territorial and chronological proximity of the Staroaleyka Culture series, it has been established that they belong to two different odontological variants. Odontological data does not exclude the presence of the «Ural» component in their morphological complex. The analysed samples of the Kamen Culture, with the exception of those from Rogoziha-1, appear to represent the Western odontological branch with different proportions of the eastern component in the series. In the morphocomplexes of the groups from the Obyezdnoye-1 and Kamen-2 burials, traits of an undifferentiated gracile type have been identified. The burial complexes of Novotroitskoye 1 and 2 and Maslyakha-1 were left by anthropologically uniform population representing a maturized odontological variant. Similarly to the craniological data, a fairly wide range of contacts has been established for the population of the Kamen Culture, including the early nomads of the Southern Urals, Western Kazakhstan, south-western and eastern Aral Sea region on the one hand, and Tuva and the Minusinsk Basin on another. Unlike craniological studies, odontological data does not suggest any proximity to the synchronous Pazyryk population of the Altai Mountains. Significant differences have also been revealed with the Kamen Culture population of the Ob River region near Novosibirsk.

Introduction. The article studies the contemporary ethno-confessional landscape of the Altai Republic as part of historical/cultural heritage, and as a factor influencing certain present-day sociocultural processes. Goals. The work seeks to identify constants and development trends in ethno-confessional relations in the region. Methods. M. Weber’s theory of social action and several sociophilosophical concepts, including those of sociocultural neotraditionalism, collective memory and collective trauma, constitute the theoretical framework of the study. The latter summarizes results of 2003-2018 sociological surveys that revealed most significant — for the collective memory of the Altai peoples – historical events to have posed global challenges in modern and contemporary history, namely: disintegration of nomadic power structures and inclusion in the orbit of an essentially differing civilization, transition to modernization, and pressure of world religions. Results. At the turn of the 21st century, a number of trends have emerged that can be qualified as collective responses to such global challenges: revival of family and clan self-organization forms, preservation of traditional economic paradigms, rejection of technocratic attributes of modernization, development of neo-traditional syncretic religious forms. Conclusions. The analysis of statistical data, materials of regional media and social networks, included observations make it possible to distinguish some actual development trends in ethno-confessional relations in the region: conservation (despite the crisis) of local human potential characterized by that quite a number of individuals tackle ethnocultural, religious/mystical, and mythopoetic creativity jobs which, thus, transform the sphere of the sacred into a space for political, civil, and generational discourse. Public consciousness of natives is also marked by dualism of secular and religious aspects, while sacralization of memory might be a means to use cultural heritage in overcoming the collective trauma caused by modernization.

The article reveals the essence of the ethno-cultural code of the indigenous people of Altai, based on a complex of stable worldview concepts: the mythologema of the crossroads, the filosofeme “Jol” (“Path”), the sacral center concepts, etc., which make up the framework of the spiritual system of the nomadic peoples of Eurasia – Tengrianism. The study exposes key markers of the mentality of the indigenous inhabitants of Altai, manifested both in everyday life and in ritual practices; their actualization in the current sociocultural situation is substantiated and their potential for developing a strategy for the sociocultural development of the region, based on the integration of the biosphere and noosphere potential of the territory with its cultural code is revealed. It is emphasized that the mentality of the Altai people is free from religious and political dogmas; it is sensitive to changes that occur in the natural and social environment; it is focused on events occurring today. Methods. The methods of structural and functional and semiotic analysis were applied in the study. It is concluded that the sacral centers on the territory of Altai are of great significance in modern conditions, so the new model of socio-economic development of the region – the noosphere model – is based on the synthesis of science, ecology, veneration of the holy places of their people, ethno-cultural diversity and natural laws of social structure as the basis for the stability of life.

Several complexes of glacial-permafrost stone formations have been studied in the Central Altai using geophysical methods. The features of their internal structure together with characteristic differences between them depending on the dynamic activity, altitude and geomorphological characteristics were determined. Integration of the methods of the electrical resistivity tomography and the GPR-sounding made it possible to distinguish roofs on all the studied formations and to estimate thicknesses of the stone-ice cores. Studying of eight formations with different degrees of activity and located at different altitudes did show that the thicknesses of the stone-ice cores increase with height: from 8–10 m in the mid-mountain zone up to 18-20 m in the highlands. The values of the specific resistance of cores inside the glacial-stone formations are directly proportional to altitudes of the objects (the correlation coefficient is 0.7) that give an indication of increasing in the amount of ice in them with height. The depth of occurrence of the roof of the stone-ice material in the formations is more dependent on the exposure of the slope on which the object is located, and changes from 1–2 m on slopes of the Northern exposure up to 4–6 m on slopes of the Southern and Western exposures.

Aspicilia stalagmitica Paukov et Davydov from the Altai Mts, a species with isidia-like outgrowths on areoles, is described as new to science. From other species of the genus Aspicilia stalagmitica differs by the following set of characters: short narrow marginal lobes, conidiomata in the isidia-like outgrowths, appressed to almost substipitate apothecia, long picnoconidia, and stictic acid as a main secondary metabolite. A phylogenetic analysis of Aspicilia stalagmitica (ITS) showing its relationships within Aspicilia is presented.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the metacestode Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.), is an important zoonotic parasite, endemic in the Altai region of China. It is a serious human health risk and causes livestock losses. To evaluate the prevalence, genetic variation, and population structure of CE, 2898 sheep and 703 cattle were examined from October 2019 to mid-February 2020 in the Altai region (Altai, Habahe, Fuhai, and Buerjin). Sheep had an infection rate of 4.52% (131/2898) and cattle had an infection rate of 4.84% (34/703). In total, 180 cyst isolates were obtained, including 131 sheep, 34 cattle, and 15 from CE human patients. The cysts were investigated using mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (cox1). Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) results showed that, among the two genotypes of E. granulosus s.s., there were 22 different haplotypes (Haps). Phylogenetic analysis and parsimony network indicated that seventeen (77.27%) Haps belonged to the sheep strain (G1 genotype) and five Haps (22.73%) belonged to the buffalo strain (G3 genotype). Hap3 was the most common haplotype (65.00%, 112/180), which belongs to the G1 genotype. Hap18–Hap22 were found in human samples, indicating that sheep and cattle reservoirs of human CE. Molecular diversity indices revealed the high levels of haplotype diversity and relatively low levels of nucleotide diversity. Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs tests displayed that the Altai population had a significant deviation from neutrality. Based on pairwise fixation index (Fst) values, a low level of genetic differentiation was found between the populations of E. granulosus s.s. isolated from different regions. The present survey findings represent an epidemiological survey of CE in the Altai region where there were two genotypes simultaneously and will provide more information on the genetic structure of E. granulosus s.s. within this region.

The subgenus Pezocrosita Jacobson, 1901, genus Chrysolina Motschulsky, 1860, currently includes 38 species, being divided into 7 species-groups. Among them, the Chrysolina (sahlbergiana) group remains the least studied, although it comprises the type species of the subgenus. The latter, Chrysolina sahlbergiana (Jacobson, 1901a), is shown to encompass 2 subspecies: Ch. sahlbergiana sahlbergiana and Ch. sahlbergiana jacobsoni (Lopatin, 1970). An amended description of Chrysolina hyperboreica Mikhailov, 2002, a local species endemic to the northern Ural Mountains within Sverdlovsk Province and previously known only from the male holotype, is given based on new material. A new species, Ch. korgonicasp. n., is described from western Altai. A key is given to all the four species of the group. The relict character of the Chrysolina (sahlbergiana) group is discussed based on disjunct distributions of its species and their associations with the former tundra-steppe communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Cymindis Latreille, 1805, Cymindis (Paracymindis) gurinaesp. n. is described from the Ulbinskiy Mt. R., Southwestern Altai (Eastern Kazakhstan). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has recently become a matter of discussion whether it is correct to use regional tree-ring chronologies in spatiotemporal climate reconstructions, since natural and climatic conditions in the regions may be heterogeneous, varying on different scales (from micro to global). We have studied the response of tree-ring width to climate in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing in the steppe zone, in insular pine forest of the Southern Urals and ribbon pine forests of Altai. Regional features and differences between the corresponding tree-ring chronologies obtained in the season of tree-ring formation (May–July) and spatiotemporal asynchrony in the long-term dynamics of tree-ring width in the study regions have been revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Stratum Plus Journal is the property of P.P. Stratum plus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The most important floristic nodes as the standards of flora biodiversity in various sectors of Southern Siberia have been identified: Saylyugem–Mongun–Taiginsky in Altai and western Tuva; Sangilensko–Darkhatsky in southeastern Tuva and Mongolia; and Selenginsko–Daursky in Transbaikalia. There are many mountainous, central-Asian species located on the eastern border of their ranges in the mountains of Sailyugem and Mongun–Taiga: the share of boundary species reaches 40% (Сoluria geoides, Potentilla lydiae, Allium pallasii, Lonicera microphylla, Artemisia obtusiloba, etc.), which is indicative of historical links between the western sector of southern Siberia and central Asia. A high rate of endemism (up to 60% in the fraction of rare species) bring originality to the flora of the Sangilen Highlands. Border species, including Cymbaria dahurica, Onosma gmelinii, and Oxytropis tragacantoides, are also typical here; this indicates the migration potential of the territory. The western Transbaikal node in the south of Buryatia, which is characterized by the presence of relics of the nemoral flora of eastern Asia, is of particular interest. These include Ulmus pumila, Armeniaca sibirica, Rhamnus erythroxylon, Filifolium sibiricum, Spodiopogon sibiricus, and Saposhnikovia divaricata. According to this indicator, the flora of the Selenginskaya Dauria has a high level of diversity (40%). The paper reveals features of the floristic diversity of the vegetation of the steppes and mountain forest–steppe of western Transbaikalia and also considers the natural factors that cause them. It is shown that this is a consequence of both the ecotonic position of the territory (zonal–provincial) and the global climatic influence of the Atlantic and Pacific, as well as natural factors of the permafrost north and arid central Asia. The diversity and heterogeneity of the vegetation of Baikal Siberia made it possible to substantiate the boundaries of individual provinces and districts in the scheme of geobotanical zoning. The vegetation of the steppes and forest–steppe of the Selenginsky midmountains of western Transbaikalia, which has been given the status of a special buffer province, is the most complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overarching goal of this survey was to identify the challenges of ecosystem services assessment and mapping in Russian and Bulgarian mountain protected areas in the context of post-socialist transformations, new conservation paradigms and climate change. The Altai Mountains in Russia and the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria were selected as key mountain territories for comparison due to their similar characteristics: agriculture, forest exploitation, tourism activities, etc. Both in Bulgaria and in Russia, perceptions of the protected areas functioning have been changing, facilitated by global shifts. Thus, the concept of ecosystem services has now been actively introduced in nature and biodiversity conservation policies. Based on WDPA data the emergence of different types of protected areas in Russia and Bulgaria was determined. Key problems of assessment and mapping of ecosystem services in Russian and Bulgarian mountain protected areas were recognised, mainly related to the shortage and quality of baseline data. At the same time, there were also some specifics for the two countries due to their size and national legislation. Like many other mountainous regions in the world, the Rhodopes in Bulgaria and the Altai Mountains in Russia are flagships in the improvement of nature conservation strategies. These regions often participate in a variety of international conservation programmes and are constantly expanding the range of protected areas. It is generally accepted that the Altai Mountains and the Rhodopes are not only centres of biodiversity richness in their countries, but also hotspots of a variety of ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogenetic reconstructions based on ITS/5.8S, mtSSU and nuLSU DNA sequence data suggest that Lecanora pringlei from North America and a closely related new species from the Altai Mountains, Russia, should be transferred to a new genus Pulvinora, phylogenetically related to Frutidella. It is distinguished by Lecanora-type asci, mycolecanorine apothecia soon becoming convex with an algal layer pushed below the hypothecium, and a pulvinate thallus with squamules at the tip of pseudopodetia-like, branched, pale brownish structures. Lecanora subcavicola and L. pringlei subsp. brandegeei do not belong to this new genus Pulvinora; consequently, we propose the new combination L. brandegeei to accommodate the latter taxon. Pulvinora stereothallina is distinguished from P. pringlei in the shape and size of its squamules (plane to concave, up to 3.0 mm long vs. remaining convex, up to 1.5 mm long), by the lack of maculae, the presence of a whitish pruina on the margins and elevated parts of its squamules, by apothecia coalescing into clusters (vs. single), an ochre-yellow to brownish (vs. colorless) proper exciple, larger ascospores, and different secondary metabolites. Lectotypes of Lecidea pringlei Tuck. and L. brandegeei Tuck. are designated here from the collections deposited in fh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drinking water holds a valuable place in human ration. When choosing a water brand, the consumer is guided by a number of factors. Customers place various demands on a product. Thus, during the market launch the manufacturer needs to know the consumer’s attitude to a given product. The determinant factors for product purchase include consumer’s knowledge of product trade names, information awareness, recognition of the product among other manufacturers, and advertising response. The marketing research was conducted in the city of Biysk (Altai Krai, Russia) and pursued the following goals: to determine public attitudes to bottled drinking water; to assess the factors that influence buying decisions; to evaluate the perspective presence of Altai Krai’s manufacturers at the bottled water market. The research was done through questionnaire survey and provided fairly complete information on consumers’ opinions, choices, and behavior. This survey covered different consumer categories, a total of 300 respondents of different age groups, income level, and social class. The survey results demonstrated that 56.6% of the respondents still use tap water. However, only 15.8% actually give their precedence to tap water value account; the remaining 84.2% can therefore be viewed as potential customers. The survey revealed that the major consumer’s criterion for water is the product price (42.8%). The second criterion in order of importance is the water quality, which constituted 16.7% of the total number of respondents. The paper contains data on consumers’ preferences by water manufacturers. The consumers were found to use water of manufacturers from other regions (51.6%). Only 42.4% gave their preference to local manufacturers, though Altai Krai is famous for its environmentally-clean drinking water sources. Price choices for drinking water were ascertained, and 53.6% of the respondents were found to be ready to pay 40 to 60 rubles per liter, which corresponds with the local manufacturers’ pricing policy. When asked if the quality of local water brands is trustworthy, the great majority of the consumers (86.4%) gave credit to the local manufacturers’ water quality. Based on the data on favourite brands, the most popular brands turned out to be the most promoted ones. The local manufacturers’ efforts in this direction require available persuasion means, such as ad placement in mass media and promotional events at sales places.

The paper discusses the Dating of barrow No. 31 of the burial ground Chineta II, which is situated in Krasnoshchekovskiy district of Altai Krai (North-Western Altai). During the excavation of Kurgan No. 31 of the burial ground Chineta II the definite features of the burial rite were fixed. These features detect the similarity with analogous characteristics with previously studied monuments of the Pazyryk culture in Chinetinskii archaeological district, and in other parts of the Altai. The dating of the object was based, firstly, on the results of the analysis of the accompanying inventory. At the same time, an important indicator was the wooden lacquer products from China. Secondly, the results of radiocarbon analysis of the horse bone sample produced by the Institute of monitoring of climatic and ecological systems of the Siberian branch of RAS (Tomsk) were taken into account. Based on the comparison of the results of archaeological and radiocarbon dating, it was found that the time of construction of the burial mound No. 31 was not earlier than IV century BC, perhaps during the IV – beginning of III centuries BC.

The paper presents the results of observations and cartographic modeling of distribution of maximum snow storages (snowpack water equivalent) in the low-mountain forest landscapes of the Maima river basin in different by snow amount winters. The weather conditions during cold periods of 2014/15-2017/18 were analyzed. The data on precipitation and mean monthly temperatures for the above mentioned seasons were compared with averaged values for 1998-2018 as the whole. It was found that the values of snow storages as well as losses for evaporation here are mainly conditioned by the meteorological parameters of the cold period. The algorithm of mapping with the use of the landscape cartographic basis and corrections for features of the relief and the character of the underlying surface is proposed. This algorithm may be used in the studies of snow accumulation in low-mountain forest landscapes. It had been found that the cold periods of 2014/15 and 2016/17 were characterized by the highest excess of winter precipitation over the averaged long-term values, whereas the lowest values were typical for 2017/18 and 2015/16. According to mean monthly air temperatures, the investigated winters were warm. The data on the in situ measurements and calculations confirm the dependence of snow accumulation in the basin on an altitude gradient, vegetation features, expositions and surface steepness. Consistently high values of snow storages are characteristic for the black-taiga landscapes on the shadow slopes (North-Western, Northern and North-Eastern expositions) with an angle of up to 20° with small-leaved forests. Minimum values of snow storages are observed in the sub-taiga part of the basin on the slopes of light (South-Western, Southern and South-Eastern) and transitional (Western and Eastern) expositions with an angle of more than 20° with the domination of original coniferous forests.

Eastern Kazakhstan and the adjacent Gorno Altai of southern Siberia encompass very mosaic landscapes across all the geographic and geomorphic zones enclosing numerous (pre-)historic monuments, some of them being a part of the UNESCO World natural and cultural heritage. Excepting the high-mountain ranges (Rudno and Southern Altai, Narym, Tarbagatay and Dzhungarskiy Alatau) surrounding the territory, the interior open arid steppes characterized by a broken relief of the granite-built Central Kazakhstan Hills as well as the barren rocky semi-deserts in the SE parts of the land remain largely unexplored and tourism-uncovered. The extraordinary topographic diversity was generated by complex geological processes associated with the Cainozoic orogenesis and the changing Quaternary climates. Geo-tourism focusing on the most exquisite landscape forms (geo-sites) and geological formations is a new trend in the country with still minor activities that take advantage of the region’s supreme geo-heritage potential. The unquestionable touristic-recreational attractiveness of this geographically marginal area of Central Asia (historically a part of the Russian Empire’s Tomsk Gubernia) reflects unique natural features – both geomorphic and biotic – including orographic, hydrologic, climatic, mineral and pedogenic, as well as rare endemic plants and wildlife in addition to the colour ful national Kazakh and Russian traditions. In spite of these predispositions, an introduction of a vital, sustainable geo-tourism in East Kazakhstan is impeded by the limited accessibility to the region due to an insufficient year-round transport infrastructure and poor local accommodation facilities in addition to the restricting boarder-zone entry regulations.

A checklist of 30 spider species recorded from the Tigirek State Nature Reserve (the Altai Territory) is provided, of which four species are recorded from the reserve for the first time and one is new to the Altai Mts. Also, the family Uloboridae was first recorded for the reserve.

Research subject. The Novo-Akhmirovskoe lithium-bearing deposit in the East Kazakhstan region, which is represented by an intrusive layer of topaz-zinnwaldite granites, is located within of the Kalba-Narym-Koktogai lithium-tantalum raremetal-granite belt. Being part of the Altai collision system, this belt is considered unique in terms of its length (more than 1000 km). Ores in the Novo-Akhmirovskoe deposit are represented by massive to low porphyry leucocratic granites composed of quartz (30–40%), albite (25–40%), microcline (15–35%), lithium mica varying in composition from zinnwal dite to lepidolite (up to 10%) and topaz (up to 5%). According preliminary estimates, the Novo-Akhmirov deposit is factually a poor lithium deposit with the Li2O content of 0.2–0.4 wt % and the estimated Li2O reserves of 110 thousand tones. Despite the favourable infrastructure and close proximity of this stock to Ust-Kamenogorsk mining and chemical-metallurgical enterprises, its ore-generating potential has not been sufficiently studied.Materials and Methods. In this research, we obtained new data on the geological structure, age, mineral composition and formation conditions of topaz-zinnwaldite granites in the Novo-Akhmirovskoe deposit. In addition, a comparative analysis of these ores with the topaz-biotite granites of the Black Sopka massif (0.6–0.7 wt % Li2O in protolitionite) and spodumene granite porphyries of the Alakha stock (Li2O = 0.9–1.1 wt %) was conducted. Results and Discussion. It is concluded that the development of this unique nonpegmatite lithium-bearing deposit requires deep exploratory drilling, mineralogical and technological research of core samples and reconsideration of economic efficiency parameters.

The paper contains the publication of materials from the excavations of the Turkic «memorial» objects of the Ust-Karasu site. These structures, located in Central Altai, were investigated by the Altai party of the South Siberian archaeological expedition under the leadership of A.S. Vasyutin in 1983, but so far have not been fully introduced into scientific circulation. A detailed description and a cultural and chronological interpretation of the three structures studied are presented – object №1 and enclosures A-1–2. There are signs indicating the possibility of attributing the excavated complexes to the Early Türkic time – miniature stone boxes, northern orientation of out-of- enclosures objects, structures in the form of a multi-plate box, as well as ground construction in the form of a kurgan embankment. Chronology of buildings, established the second half of the the 5th – 6th centuries AD, confirms the characteristics of the detected items, especially iron stirrups. Memorial objects of the Ust-Karasu complex are considered by the authors to reflect the early stratum of the Turkic traditions, demonstrating the characteristics of their culture before the creation of the First Kaganate and, possibly, in the first decades after the creation of the empire.

The article presents an event correlation of the Permian‐Triassic granites of the Altai collision system, which are associated with industrial ore deposits and occurrences (Mo‐W, Sn‐W, Li‐Ta‐Be). The multi‐system and multi‐mineral isotope datings of igneous rocks and ore bodies (U/Pb, Re/Os, Rb/Sr, Ar/Ar‐methods) suggest the postcollisional (intraplate) formation of ore‐magmatic systems (OMS), the duration of which depended on the crustmantle interaction and the rates of tectonic exposure of geoblocks to the upper crustal levels.Two cases of the OMS thermal history are described: (1) Kalguty Mo‐W deposit associated with rare‐metal granite‐leucogranites and ongonite‐ elvan dykes, and (2) Novo‐Akhmirov Li‐Ta deposit represented by topaz‐zinnwaldite granites and the contemporary lamprophyre and ongonit‐elvan dykes. For these geological objects, numerical modeling was carried out. The proposed models show thermal cooling of the deep magmatic chambers of granite composition, resulting in the residual foci of rare‐metal‐granite melts, which are known as the petrological indicators of industrial ore deposits (Mo‐W, Sn‐W, Li‐Ta‐Be). According to the simulation results concerning the framework of a closed magmatic system with a complex multistage development history, the magmatic chamber has a lower underlying observable massif and a reservoir associated with it. A long‐term magmatic differentiation of the parental melt (a source of rare‐metal‐granite melts and ore hydrothermal fluids) takes place in this reservoir.

The relevance. Among the most urgent problems attracting human interest are the problems of energy. They affect directly or indirectly on human society and the environment. The human activity is associated with permanent use of natural energy resources for supplying people with vital functions: heat and light in houses, food, transportation, clothes, etc. At present, in many parts of Siberia there is still no centralized energy service. An important feature of mountainous countries is considerable dispersion of consumers requiring electric and thermal energy, uneven workload during the year and the lack of centralized sources of energy. The main energy sources in mountainous areas are diesel power plants. The cost of the energy produced is very high, particularly in remote areas. Due to the concept of mountain regions development with using renewable energy sources it is possible to solve the energy problem. The aim of the research is to evaluate the possible contribution of wind energy to resource conservation and ecology in mountains regions of the Altai Republic in the frames of intensive development of tourism and recreational activities. The objects of the research are the wind regime in lower troposphere over the southern part of Siberia; orographic conditions and their influence on the wind regime; wind-power potential of mountain areas of the Altai Republic. The methods of the research are the upper-air atmosphere sounding; the construction of a mathematical model of the wind velocity field in different altitude levels; assessment and analysis of influence of different topography on wind speed. Results. It is shown that the wind velocity is not enough for wind-power engineering in conditions of intermountain basins and wide valleys. The analysis of air-climatological indicators of wind velocity and the data of high-mountain meteorological stations on the tops and watersheds have shown that in terms of openness of the horizon the wind-power potential is sufficient for effective operation of wind power plants of different capacity. For the watershed areas higher than 1500 m, the power density fluctuates from 150 to 850 W/m that makes it possible to use wind energy plants of low and medium power. The regions with wind power density of more than 500 W/m2 can be considered as the areas of high energy. Such zones can be marked in the central part of the Altai Mountains, rising from 2200 m.

The soils of Russian Altai highlands were used as a paleoenvironmental archive, as a source of dating material, and as a chronostratigraphic marker to describe Holocene environmental change in the studied area. Based on calibration intervals of 14C dates obtained for buried humus horizons (11 buried soils in 6 studied soil-sedimentary sequences) and some dates from pendants of contemporary soils, following stages of pedogenesis were recorded in studied soil-sedimentary systems and surface soils: 6.4 – 11.5 ky cal BP; about 4.9-5.3 cal BP; 2.5-3.8 cal BP; 0.6 – 1.2 cal BP. All studied surface soils in the basins nowadays develop in cold, ultra-continental water deficit conditions: Skeletic Kastanozems Cambic, Skeletic Cambisols Protocalcic, Skeletic Cambic Calcisol Yermic. The most extreme conditions of soil formation within Holocene were within the last 1-2 kyr. All buried soils were formed in better conditions, more balanced in water, with higher biological activity, mostly within steppe or forest-steppe landscapes. Cryogenic features had been insisting all over the Holocene till nowadays. Water demandant cryogenic features are met in buried soils up to the age of 1-2 ky cal BP. In the last millennia cryogenic processes are suppressed, water demandant features gave way to those which can be formed in contemporary water deficit conditions: simple fissures, frost sorting, and shattering. At lower levels (Kuraj basin) more or less arid cold steppe conditions insisted within the most part of Holocene. Initial stages of soil formation were often ground water affected, or at least shortly waterlogged. At the highest positions humid and relatively warm Early Holocene stage of forest pedogenesis is recorded for the beginning of Holocene, and a Late Holocene (last 3-4 kyr) cold humid phase, presumably under mountain tundra and/or alpines. Microsedimentary intra-soil record in carbonatehumus pendants imprints fine fluctuations of soil water regime at initial stages of soil formation, controlled by local topography, and climatic changes in the second half of Holocene. General trends of environmental changes in the region recorded in soil and soil sedimentary systems are in well correspondence with other records of paleonvironment.

The Mongolian Altai mountain range stretches from east to west for more than 800 kilometers, and its forest cover is considered the southwestern boundary of the distribution of Mongolian forests and is characterized by a unique combination of high-mountain and desert ecosystems. Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) is one of the main forest-forming tree species in the Mongolian Altai and covers 112.0 thousand ha of area and is distributed at an altitude of 2300 to 2700 m a.s.l. In this study, we attempted a comparative study of tree growth rates in larch forests, which are associated with four different altitudinal zones in the Mongolian Altai, aimed at determinining the lower and upper limits of forest distribution in this region. We used the natural quantitative indicators in this study. We carried out the diameter growth rate analyses on 15 model tree samples taken from the Mongolian Altai and 4 samples from Central Khangai regions. All the trees were divided into fast-growing and slow-growing. The results of the assessments showed that 60 percent of the studied forests belonged to slow-growing forests. Slowest growth rate was observed in the forests of Khan Taishir and Khar Azarga mountains, which are the southernmost tip of conifer forest distribution in Mongolia. For the first time in Mongolia we observed that the upper limit of larch forests reached up to 2700 m a.s.l. Such slow rate of tree growth in larch forests is the result of the existing harsh continental climate, aridity, and high altitudinal distribution in the Mongolian Altai. Our findings can become the scientific basis for the development of a sustainable forest management plan in the forests of the Mongol Altai, taking into account the different growth rate between stands.

In the year of the 1000th anniversary of the presence of Russian monasticism on Mount Athos, it is reasonable to evaluate the impact of spiritual traditions of the Holy Mountain on some regions, in particular on Altai Region, where Altai spiritual mission started its activity in 1830. Athos and Altai have had close religious contacts since the second half of the 19th century. This circumstance was an important factor in dissemination of Orthodoxy among the indigenous population. The purpose of this article is to reveal and analyse the spiritual ties between the Aphonites and Christians of Altai. The beginning of active spiritual interaction between Altai and Mount Athos is connected with the icon of the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon, brought to Altai in 1879. Gradually, the authority of Athonite asceticism became an important part of spiritual life of the newly baptised. The donations went to Mount Athos from diff erent territories. However, the attempts to spread the tradition of Mount Athos’ monks in the monasteries of the Altai mission failed. Athos other-worldly asceticism was too much discordant with the principle of missionary openness of Altai monasteries. This article shows that the spiritual connection between Altai and Athos manifested itself in various forms of religious life, such as pilgrimages of Altai mission employees, visits of the professed from Athos monasteries to Altai, donations to monasteries of Mount Athos, publication and dissemination of spiritual and educational literature. But the most important was the tradition to order icons. Every year missionaries ordered icons on Mount Athos. Arrival of icons was accompanied with special church celebrations. Athonite icons came to be local shrines. They were pilgrimaged, which contributed to new conversions to Christianity and strengthened the faith of those baptised earlier. Athonite images contributed to the worship of certain saints. A similar role was played by relics of saints which, although in smaller numbers than the icons, were also sent from Mount Athos.

The authors present the results of the study of silver earrings from the Dyalyan burial ground of the Hun-Sarmatian time, located in the Chemalskiy district of the Republic Altai. The purpose of paper was to determine the methods of manufacturing the jewelry on the basis of technological and comparative-morphological analyses. A traceological analysis of the earrings was carried out, according to the results of which the authors put forward some assumptions. For their verification, 33 experiments, grouped into four series, were performed. On the basis of traceological observations, comparative-morphological analysis and experiments, the authors established that the earrings were divided into two types: spiral-shaped cylindrical earrings and crescent-shaped earrings. Spiral earrings were widely distributed. They were made using simple and common technology. However, to obtain a die for them in the form of a thin wire, it was required to use a special tool. Therefore, perhaps, the wire was created by one master, and the earring by another. The composition of silver and the detection of similar products on other sites of the Altai Mountains testify to the local origin of this jewelry. In relation to not typical for the Altai area earrings in the shape of a crescent, the authors can not note the high skill of the jeweler. This was a product of local home production. This is evidenced by the rudeness of his performance relatively simple technology and composition of metal, possibly obtained from local ores of the Mongolian Altai.

The article traces the history of Russian Orthodoxy in Altai from its beginning in early XVIII c. down to the present, showing its impact on the surrounding culture. The author demonstrates the decisive role of the Altai Orthodox Mission not only in the propagation of the Orthodox faith among the local population, but in its cultural transformation. In particular, Russian missionaries in Altai, especially the canonized saints archimandrite Makarii (Glukharev, 1793-1847) and metropolitan Makarii (Nevskii, 1835-1926), gave the Altai people the alphabet, writing system, and literary language, taught them to build houses and settlements and to maintain a settled economy. The article also shows that pre-revolutionary missionary monasteries in Altai contributed much to the region’s cultural and social life.The focus of the article is on the Orthodox Altai today, particularly on the revival of Orthodoxy in the Chemal village in the mountain part of Altai. In the 1990s-2000s Moscow photographer V.N. Pavlov (1937-2011) restored on the so-called “Altai Patmos” – a small island on the Katun river – the church which was there in the early XX c., and built a suspension bridge to the island. Then on the shore facing the island a female monastic settlement was founded, and later a Bishop’s house with a church and museum were added. This place has become a center of pilgrimage not only for local residents, but also for guests from other parts of Russia and abroad.The article concludes with an overview of the contemporary centers of Orthodox pilgrimage in Altai with an indication of their cultural significance.

The combination of steppe and tundra locations at Altai highland depressions—Bertek and Khindiktig-Khol'—is considered with regard to verifying the hypothesis of the existence of a tundra steppe in northern Eurasia during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and its contemporary landscape analogues. Data on soil–vegetation cover diversity at the Altai highland depressions are represented. Cause-and-effect relations explaining the spatial differentiation of nature complexes are identified. The thermal regime of locations with the predominance of steppe and dwarf-birch vegetation is investigated. The interrelation between soil–vegetation cover differentiation and distinction in the microclimate and the permafrost boundary are proved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of historical artifacts from a scientific point of view is acknowledged in the literature. A clear understanding of our historical roots is connected with the study of cultural heritage from empirical and especially quantitative bases of research already done by scholars like Rudenko (1927) and Gavrilova (1965). Yet, another important method of studying historical material objects is semiotic analysis, which allow studying prehistorical visual culture artifacts as a system of signs, which may be deciphered, and related to deducible meaning and sense in the context of ethnographic, cultural and specifically semiotic references which bear on location, identification and understanding of such material. Our research in this article is dedicated to a study of certain visual material artifacts from the geographical region of the Eastern Altai. In particular, we study petroglyphs on a boulder that was discovered during the excavations of the Kudyrge burial ground near the Chulyshman River, which according to some sources belong to the Turkic culture of the early period, and have recently begun to arouse the interest of scientists. Various empirical methods have been used to explore the stone monument (statue) called "Kudyrginsky plot". Some of the techniques as those of pioneering research scholars like Rudenko and Gavrilova, include archaeological, historical, historical-chronological, historical-comparativemethods, as well as approaches including analysis and synthesis of the obtained data. In turn we supplement the existing methodological approaches with a semiotic-ethnographic analysis of the information available on the "Kudyrginsky plot". We argue that semiotic analysis of ancient artifacts, following methods established by Reday (2019) and Martel (2020), can offer adequate information for the understanding of a rich historical heritage sight like the Kudyrginskyplot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bylye Gody is the property of Cherkas Global University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article is devoted to the analysis of the productive activities of the Soimonov Dynasty representatives, Mikhail Fedorovich and Petr Alexandrovich, and their contribution to the development of mining and mining education in Russia in the second half of the 18th century. The Soimonov cousins held important positions in the administration of Russia, at the court of Catherine II; they worked both in the capital and in the provinces, and held senior positions. Mikhail Fedorovich was the organizer and founder of the Mining School, and also its first director (1773-1776 and 1796-1801). Petr Alexandrovich also headed the Mining School (1784-1793) and contributed a great deal to its development and prosperity. It should be noted that the biography of M.F. Soimonov is covered in sufficient detail in the scientific literature, but there is no single detailed scientific publication about P.A. Soimonov. This article fills this gap in the historical record. The article uses original and largely unique archival materials (for example, journals from the personal cabinet of Catherine II), memoir sources and published scientific literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geopark Altai has a set of unique geological, geographical, and archaeological objects. Its basis is made by geological space with a specific relief that plays an important role, and on certain sites, it takes the first place in comparison with other types of objects. The peculiar feature of the geopark Altai is that in its territory there is a landscape connection among archaeological, geological, and geographical objects, which at certain sites is penetrated by mental and cultural fluids causing a deep interest of tourists in this territory. In this regard, the authors consider the relief as an object of cognitive, educational, and practical activities of the geopark Altai. Therefore, the following tasks were set up: to find a site for the realization of several types of activities by the geopark and to develop a theoretical scientific and a popular science base for their implementation. As a result of the work done, the authors allocated the site within the boundaries of the geopark Altai where modern dynamics of the relief are characterized by the maximum speed. On this site, it is possible to recreate the processes that created the relief in the geological past and to study these processes now. The specifics of weather and climatic conditions in this region made its relief very important for economic activity of the population inhabiting this territory. Therefore, as of today, the study of the condition of certain surface sites and forecasting the development of relief-forming processes is an important part of any activity on the described territory. The long-term geological, ecological, geographical, and archaeological research conducted by the authors on the territory of the Altai Republic served as materials for this study. The geological materials were collected by the methods adopted in this field of research (field survey of structures and rocks, cartographic methods, analysis of general geological data, and others). The ecological and geographical results were obtained using geochemical, hydrochemical, analytical, and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to reconstruct the Altai glaciers at the maximum of the LIA, to estimate the reduction of the Altai glaciers from the LIA maximum to the present, and to analyze glacier reduction rates on the example of the Tavan Bogd mountain range. Research was based on remote sensing and field data. The recent glaciation in the southern part of the Altai is estimated (1256 glaciers with the total area of 559.15 ± 31.13 km2), the area of the glaciers of the whole Altai mountains is estimated at 1096.55 km2. In the southern part of Altai, 2276 glaciers with a total area of 1348.43 ± 56.16 km2 were reconstructed, and the first estimate of the LIA glacial area for the entire Altai mountain system was given (2288.04 km2). Since the LIA, the glaciers decrease by 59% in the southern part of Altai and by 47.9% for the whole Altai. The average increase in ELA in the southern part of Altai was 106 m. The larger increase of ELA in the relatively humid areas was probably caused by a decrease in precipitation. Glaciers in the Tavan Bogd glacial center degraded with higher rates after 1968 relative to the interval between 1850–1968. One of the intervals of fast glacier shrinkage in 2000–2010 was caused by a dry and warm interval between 1989 and 2004. However, the fast decrease in glaciers in 2000–2010 was mainly caused by the shrinkage or disappearance of the smaller glaciers, and large valley glaciers started a fast retreat after 2010. The study results present the first evaluation of the glacier recession of the entire Altai after the LIA maximum.

The universal simulation model was developed with the use of system-analytical modeling to ensure a long-term forecast of mountain river runoff during spring-summer floods. Prediction quality of this SAM-model is characterized by Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency of 0.68–0.88 and is very high for long-term flood forecasts, including ones for inundations and mountain reservoirs filling in spring. The model was tested on the example of 34 medium and small rivers (1630 values of runoff observations for 1951–2016) located in the Altai-Sayan mountain country (2,000,000 km2). Its input factors include monthly precipitation, monthly mean air temperature, GIS data on landscape structure and orography of river basins. Meteorological factors are calculated as percentage of their "in situ" long-term mean values averaged for the whole study area. This helps to explain and quantify the influence of autumn-winter-spring soaking, freezing and thawing of mountain landscape soils on spring-summer flood. We apply a simple novel method to evaluate model sensitivity to variations in environmental factors expressed in terms of their contribution to variance of the observed flood runoff. It turns out that sensitivity of the latter decreases in the following sequence of factors: autumn precipitation, landscape structure of river basins, winter precipitation, winter air temperature, landscape altitude. The developed SAM-model provides a three-month lead-time estimate of runoff in a high water period with the threefold less variance as compared to forecasts based on the observed long-term mean values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzes landscapes of indigenous societies. Howard Morphy, in his work focusing on the Aborigines, treated the landscape as a representation of past mythical events. Such an approach involves taking a closer look at the material aspects of landscape and emphasizes the existence of realties between contemporary Aborigines and the past. A different theoretical approach was developed by Tim Ingold, conceptualizing landscape as a human-land relationship based on essence, where all beings derive their essential form and substance directly from the land, which embodies the creative forces of the ancestors. Ingold's understanding of landscape led me to rethink my research in the Altai Mountains of Southern Siberia, conducted 25 years ago. I argue that the relationship with the land is crucial for the Altaian people. The land's essence is not changeable and all living beings are its emanation. The landscape is therefore not a record of the past, but an active field in which the relationship between human and non-human subjects a nd the land is established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Stratum Plus Journal is the property of P.P. Stratum plus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Integrated geological, geophysical, geochemical, and botanical studies in the Kuraika River Valley (Kurai Ridge, Gorny Altai) have revealed sharp changes in the growth environment of blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea) at the conjunction zone of the regional Kubadra and local active faults. A high-gradient magnetic field is accompanied by the increased variability of the concentrations of radionuclides and macro- and micro-elements in soil, an increased mercury content in soil and surface air, and an increased γ-radiation exposure rate. Depending on combinations of geoenvironmental factors, the micropopulations of blue honeysuckle have produced increased or decreased fruit size and seed productivity. The observed tripling of accumulated biologically active phenol compounds in fruits, the simultaneous decrease in their concentration in leaves, and the reduction in the ratio between the content of some polyphenol classes in leaves and fruits are considered a response to the stressing impact of environmental factors associated with active tectonic processes in this area of Altai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lectotype of the southern Siberian Otiorhynchus (Pseudocryphiphorus) pullus Gyllenhal is designated and a closely related new species Otiorhynchus (Pseudocryphiphorus) matisi sp. n. from the left bank of the Irtysh River in Northeastern Kazakhstan or, less probably, in Omsk Province of Russia, is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the article is to analyze the relationship between the landscape and the process of building national identity in Mongolia in the context of political transformation. I describe contemporary practices related to the public tachilga offering intended for the guardians of the most important mountains with national status in Mongolia. I consider how the local ontology based on the relational interaction between human and non-human entities is reflected at the level of state activities. Discussing the issue, I refer to the category of landscape and show how it has become a major actor in contemporary national discourse in Mongolia.

A comparison of karren formation on various rocks under diverse environmental conditions makes an important contribution to our understanding of the formation and development of karst. In this regard, the present study brings a number of new insights through description of the karst development on marbles at the foothills of the Altai Mountains. We studied karst phenomena in the field and in the laboratory where structural-textural properties, mineral composition and quantity of carbonate components were determined. Rivers dissected karst surface and additionally uncovered carbonate rocks. The marble layers are faulted, folded and sheared, consequently containing numerous densely spaced net of discontinuities, which are often parallel. Brittle deformations significantly increased the rocks’ porosity, consequently making it more sensitive to water absorption and freezing thaw effect. Distinct continental climate, with extreme daily and seasonal temperature variations, conditions the pronounced peeling off of the marbles along discontinuities. The diversity of disintegration is conditioned by the massive or oriented structure, cleavage, texture, and type and grain size of the marbles’ mineral constituents. Interaction and alternation of chemical dissolution and mechanical disintegration play the major role on the karren formation and its preservation. The formed karren is mostly destroyed due to peeling off and disintegration of the marbles.

В статье рассматривается раскрытие темы Великой Отечественной войны в произведениях алтайского художника Геннадия Федоровича Борунова. Отмечается, что эта тема являлась значимой в творчестве художника и опосредованно проходит через многие картины живописца: пейзажи, портреты, сюжетно-тематические полотна. В научный оборот впервые вводится и анализируется ряд набросков и портретов с изображением ветеранов 315-й Мелитопольской Краснознаменной стрелковой дивизии, ветеранов села Павловска — родины художника. Автор статьи реконструирует творческий метод и многолетнюю эволюцию замысла Геннадия Борунова, воплотившегося, наконец, в картине «9 Мая. Рядовые Победы» в 2000 году.