UCA has released Dr. Yuri Badenkov’s seminal work Life in the Mountains: Environmental and Cultural Diversity – Diversity of Development Models as an e-book. The printed edition of the book was published in Moscow in 2017 as a co-publication of the Russian Geographical Society, the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Geography, and the University of Central Asia.  The book is the product of decades of research on mountain communities in multiple geographies – the European Alps, Karakorum, Himalaya, Andes, the mountains of Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Altai, East Africa, and the Northern Appalachians. A wide range of topics is covered to present a comprehensive discussion of the ethnocultural, environmental and socio-economic predicaments of various mountain communities and their search for sustainable development models. The last chapter deals with UCA as a case study of the role of education in mountain development. Dr. Badenkov, a geologist and geographer, is a leading international scholar in mountain studies. Dr. Badenkov was a member of the panel of experts of the Commission on the Establishment of an International Institute of Higher Education, whose 1998 report conceptualized UCA as a regional university serving the needs of the vast mountain areas. He founded and led the Mountain Group supported by UNESCO at the Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences. He was also a member of the group of experts who presented a mountain agenda for the Global UN ‘Earth Summit’ in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. He is an active member of the Russian Geographical Society.

To the question of rural danger in the valley of the Skaski Glacier (Central Caucasus)

Climatic changes in recent decades have led to the active degradation of the nival zone in the highlands of both the Central Caucasus and the world. This circumstance, in combination with modern orogenesis and denudation processes, has led to an increase in the frequency of descent and the total volume of such dangerous gravitational processes as high-density glacial mudflows, including and along the valley of the Skazsky glacier of the Tsey gorge (North Ossetia). Accordingly, the risks of damage to people and recreational infrastructure have increased. The aim of the research was to develop the principles of effective and cost-effective engineering protection, based on modern scientific ideas about the origin and mechanism of impact on the geological environment of mudflows of high density and energy.

In the framework of this study, the following methods were used: field observations, interpretation of ground and space photographs, morphometric constructions and calculations, integrated analysis of topographic and geological maps of different years and scales, a comprehensive integrated analysis of published and stock literature. As a result of applying a systematic approach and an integration methodology for analyzing information, the relationship of mudflow hazard with modern geological and climatic processes in the valley of the Skazsky glacier and with anthropogenic impact on its slopes was determined. A method is proposed for calculating the energy of the mudflow and constructing its model in the form of a soliton in a granular medium. In order to exclude possible loss of life, as well as minimize material damage, it was proposed to organize unhindered passage of mudflows through the transit zone of the total mudflow from the starboard side of the valley and discharge it into the riverbed. Ceydon based on the natural parameters of mudflow channels.

Grasslands of intermontane basins of Central Caucasus: land use legacies and present-day state

Mountain semi-natural grasslands of intermontane basins of Central Caucasus, North Ossetia-Alania and the history of its land use were studied. It was found that post-forest, meadow-steppe and partially subalpine grasslands in the study area had been used as croplands for centuries and have been transformed into grazing lands about 60 years ago. In the last 20 years, the grasslands have been underused. It was revealed that current spatial distribution of grasslands is different from the classic scheme of natural climate-induced vegetation distribution. Species composition of meadow steppes is similar in different locations and does not reflect climatic differences of “dry” leeward and “wet” windward slopes of the intermontane basins. Present-day soils reflect parent material differences and erosion degree, but not topography-induced local climate specificity. However, discovered buried soils showed contrasting soil diversity on the southern and northern slopes. It is assumed that the present convergence of soil cover and vegetation is a result of long homogenising human impact and relatively short grassland development.

Mountain grassland ecosystems on abandoned agricultural terraces (Russia, North Caucasus)

Terraces represent one of the most common agricultural landscape elements in the mountainous regions of the North Caucasus. In the Central and West Caucasus, most of the arable terraces were converted into grasslands for grazing and haymaking 60-70 years ago and then abandoned or underused during the last 20-25 years. The role of abandoned terraces in maintaining the diversity of grasslands of the mountain slopes was studied in the case of eight terraces of different types. Plant communities of subalpine meadows and meadow steppes were distinguished on the terraces depending mainly on slope steepness at the same altitudes and to a lesser extent on the slope aspect. In general, the grasslands of the terrace platforms and those of original unterraced slopes had similar traits. At that, the mesophilous communities on the rich soils of terrace edges and scarp communities similar to vegetation of steep slopes with eroded soils create regular patterns on the terraced slopes. Thus, former agricultural terraces conditioning geodiversity also contribute to the diversity of plant communities and landscape fragmentation. The current increase of temperature and humidity may lead to a reduction of climatic differences of the slopes, and the further convergence of grassland communities can be assumed.

North Caucasus Complex Expedition. Proceedings, Issue 1

This collection contains articles containing some selected results of field research obtained in the framework of expeditions organized in 2014-2018 in the North Caucasus. The collection includes three types of scientific works:

1. Articles devoted to the history, methods and methodology of integrated geographical research. In this regard, the authors of the collection considered it necessary to note the scientific contribution Alexandra Fedina, a remarkable scientist, researcher of the Caucasus, who could not imagine her scientific life without field research, which she conducted in the North Caucasus, studying the physical and geographical differentiation of mountain landscapes.

2. Works presenting the results of field research and characterizing the current state of landscapes, their potential and use in different regions of the North Caucasus.

3. The final articles are devoted to the synthesis of the data obtained during the expeditions, the definition of the main problems of the study and development of mountain areas and the proposal of some promising areas for further research.

Materials of expeditions make several field notebooks with records, statistical data, photos, including from the copter, results of the analysis of samples of soils and vegetation. All of them are summarized and mentioned in the collection in the following order:

1. Summary table 26 physical and geographical descriptions by profile (2017).

2. Deciphered data of the description of points with a detailed enumeration of the plant composition (2017).

3. Descriptions of soil sections (2017).

4. Chemical analysis of soils (2017).

5. Weight of phytomass samples by 26 points (2017).

6. Passports of municipal formations (2014-2017);

7. Field shots (2014-2017).

8. Pictures from the copter (2017).

In the field materials on the 4th point there is no detailed information, so the data on it are not given in the text.

Primary materials stored at the Faculty of Geography and Geoecology of the Chechen State University.

Expeditions would not have been possible without substantial support from the Chechen State University, which ensured the arrival to the Republic of expedition participants, accommodation

and transport.

Part of the work was carried out within the framework of the State task No. 0148-2019-0007 (R & d AAAA-A19-119021990093-8) "Assessment of physical, geographical, hydrological and biotic changes in the environment and their consequences for the establishment of the foundations of sustainable environmental management".

Corridor Ecology, Second Edition

Linking Landscapes for Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Adaptation

Migrating wildlife species across the globe face a dire predicament as their traditional migratory routes are cut off by human encroachment. Forced into smaller and smaller patches of habitat, they must compete more aggressively for dwindling food resources and territory. This is more than just an unfortunate side effect of human progress. As key species populations dwindle, ecosystems are losing resilience and face collapse, and along with them, the ecosystem services we depend on. Healthy ecosystems need healthy wildlife populations. One possible answer? Wildlife corridors that connect fragmented landscapes.

This new and expanded second edition of Corridor Ecology: Linking Landscapes for Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Adaptation captures the many advances in the field over the past ten years. It builds on concepts presented in the first edition on the importance and practical details of maintaining and restoring land connectivity. New to this edition is a guest-edited chapter on ecological connectivity in oceans, including a detailed discussion on pelagic marine corridors and how coastal corridors can provide critical connectivity between marine protected areas. Another new chapter considers the effects of climate change on habitat and offers recommendations on designing effective corridors as landscapes change with shifting climate conditions. The book also includes a discussion of corridors in the air for migrating flying species, from birds to bats, butterflies, and even plant propagules—a concept so new that a term to describe it has yet to be coined. All chapters are thoroughly revised and updated.

Practitioners as well as serious scholars of landscape ecology and the science of protecting biodiversity will find this new edition of corridor ecology science an indispensable resource.

Russian geographical society has published an illustrated book " Geography of the Himalayas." It is based on scientific research data obtained during the international project of the Krasnodar regional branch of the RGO " Russian heritage of the Himalayas. Continuation of the way", which aims to update the heritage of Russian travelers and researchers of the Himalayan mountain system.

The author of the book-Deputy Chairman of the Krasnodar regional branch of the RGS, doctor of geographical Sciences, Professor Yuri Efremov. He systematized scattered geographical materials, summarized and supplemented the data of well-known literary sources with unique information obtained during field work in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Pakistan. In particular, during the expeditions, the researchers collected samples for the study of physical geography, described the geological structure, topography and modern geomorphological processes, accumulated ethnographic material for the RGS Museum Fund.

The book deals with the natural and recreational resources of the territories, religious and cultural traditions of the population, agriculture and industry of the mountain region. For climbers and tourists in the Annex provides information about the eight-thousand and rules of conduct in the mountains.

The book "Geography of the Himalayas" was prepared and published at the expense of the grant of the Russian geographical society. It was published by the publishing house "Tradition" in Russian and English and supplemented by 350 colorful illustrations. The book is intended for a wide range of readers – geographers, students, graduate students, tourists and climbers, people interested in the geography of the highest mountain system of the planet.

Assessment Of Hindu Kush Himalayas

Mountains, climate change, sustainability and people

Editors: Philippus Wester, Arabinda Mishra, Aditi Mukherji, Arun Bhakta Shrestha

I am pleased to share a link to HIMAP Assessment Report launched on 4th February 2019. This is the first comprehensive assessment made in the Hindu Kush Himalaya by more than 240 scientist covering various thematic areas and published by Springer nature. The process followed was of International standard such as IPBES and IPCC with very impressive international media coverage so far.

The book has open access and one can choose to have the full book or individual chapters.

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-3-319-92288-1

Hope this publication may be of interest to many of us,

Best regards,

 Nakul

You can follow this link to the electronic publication of this book in the Russian Geographical Society.

In June 2017, has published a book of J.P. Badenkov "Life in the mountains. Natural and cultural diversity - a variety of development models",  GEOS publishing house, 2017. – 479 p., ISBN 978-5-89118-741-2.

The book describes the diversity of life and development of mountain areas in the context of their historical heritage, natural and ethno-cultural diversity. For example, the European Alps, the Karakorum, the Himalayas, the Andes, the mountains of Central Asia and East Africa, North of the Appalachian mountains, the Caucasus and the Altai deals with the problems of political and economic inequality in mountain areas, their peripheral position and dependence on the economically developed urban centers and plains. At the same time, mountains provide vital environmental and humanitarian services – water, forest and mineral resources, recreation and environmental products. In recent decades, the world is actively looking for adequate models of sustainable development of mountains, their integration into national and regional development strategies. The role and responsibility of science in this process, the importance of complex transdisciplinary research and their integration into practice are shown. The book is addressed to scientists, students, politicians, public organizations and practitioners on strategic planning of sustainable development of mountain areas.

*   *   *

Yuri P. Badenkov is the author of the book, founder and head (1983 – 2013) of the international mountain center MAB-6 of the UNESCO program "Man and biosphere" (MAB) at the Institute of geography of the USSR Academy of Sciences (now MAB-6 / IG RAS). He was a member of the international expert group "Mountain agenda-21", which has achieved the inclusion of mountain areas of the world among the global problems of the XXI century (Agenda-21) at the UN Summit on environment and development (Rio de Janeiro, 1992). For 60 years he has been conducting research in the field of Geology and sustainable mountain development in Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion, the North-East and the far East. Participated in major international mining programs and projects under the flag of UNESCO, IGU, UNDP, UNEP, FAO, IUCN, AKDN, WWF. He is an expert on sustainable development of mountain regions of the UN University (UNU) and the UN food and agriculture Organization (FAO).

The publication was carried out with the financial support of the all-Russian public organization "Russian geographical society" and the University of Central Asia. Recommended by the Scientific Council of the Institute of geography RAS.

"Exploring the mountains. Mountain regions of Northern Eurasia. Development in the context of global change»

Collection No. 137 in a series of Questions of geography of the Russian geographical society (founded by prominent Soviet geographer N. N. Baranski in 1946). Responsible editors V. M. Kotlyakov, Y. P. Badenkov and K. V. Chistyakov. M., publishing house "Code" 2014. 583 p.

Readers are invited to the "Geography issues", dedicated to the study of the mountain regions of Russia. The main objective of the book is to review the current state of research of mountain areas in Russia, where the focus is on the problems of complex (integration) development of mountain regions in the context of global changes. This problem now occupies a central place in the activities of The Russian geographical society.

Presented in the collection of articles (26) cover a wide range of issues on the assessment of the state and problems of development of mountain regions of Russia.

Introduction includes two articles:

1) the Mountains in the strategies of regional development: the role and contribution of science (Y.P. Badenkov, V.M. Kotlyakov and K.V. Chistyakov) and

2) development of the mountain geography and the contribution of N.A. Gvozdetskiy (Yu.N. Golubchikov, A. N. Gunya, V. A. Snytko).

Part I "Natural, socio-economic and cultural diversity of mountain regions of Russia" includes 7 articles reflecting the diversity and specificity of the main mountain ranges and regions of Northern Eurasia.

Part II "The impact of global changes on the natural and socio-ecological systems of mountain regions of Russia" includes 10 articles reflecting both general aspects of the problem and specific manifestations of the reaction of regional and local mountain areas to global changes.

Part III "Implementation of the principles of sustainable development in the mountain regions of Russia: experience and lessons" includes 7 articles. Of particular interest are articles that describe the experience of implementing the ideas of sustainable development in mountain regions, and the Republic of Dagestan (S.S. Muduev) and the Altai Republic (S.V. Buldyreva et). The articles are written by high-ranking officials working in the regional ministries of economy and responsible for the management of mining resources and forming long-term development strategies. In addition, they are representatives of the scientific community: Sh. S.  Muduev - doctor of geographical Sciences, S.V. Buidysheva - candidate of economic Sciences, and its co–authors - candidate of geographical Sciences S.P. Surazakova (former Minister of economy of the Republic of Altai) and doctor of geographical Sciences B.A. Krasnoyarova. Four articles are devoted to local problems of land management and development in the mountainous regions of the North Caucasus. Of great interest are the articles on the Chechen Republic, on which we still have limited information about the current problems of mountain development.

R.G. Gracheva's article "Land use In the North Caucasus: from the adat to the land code" analyzes a fundamentally important topic of land relations that have been formed in the North Caucasus for centuries and reflects the specifics of mountain conditions and complex processes of development of the territory.

The annexes provide a list and e-mail addresses of leading international centres and organizations conducting research in mountain regions and actively involved in the implementation of scientific developments in management and development practices. Also provides a brief description of the map mountain regions of Russia, drawn up on the basis of GIS-technologies (J.P. Badenkov, A.N. Gunya, A.N. Medvedev, A.N. Narikov), and – by design – compatible with a map of the mountain regions in the world, compiled in 2000, the world centre of monitoring of environment UNEP-IUCN.

At the end of the book provides information about all fifty-two authors. The articles published in this collection give an idea of the current state and level of scientific research of the mountain regions of Russia. This is a kind of "mold" of the mountain landscapes of Russia, experiencing the impact of global changes and globalization. It is hoped that the scientific and applied problems raised in the 137 issue of geography "study of mountains" will be the subject of public discussion at the planned all-Russian conference, in the organization of which the Russian geographical society will play an important role.