Photo: The Caspian seal has been listed as endangered due to a sharp population decline in 2020. / Clean Seas Foundation In early November, more than 100 dead seals were found on the coast of the Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan. Authorities cited weakened immune systems and a subsequent infection as the causes of their deaths. Maria Solovyova, a PhD in biology and senior researcher at the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, spoke to Rossiyskaya Gazeta about the likelihood of a similar situation recurring in the Russian sector of the Caspian Sea. The largest recent die-off of Caspian seals occurred in December 2022. More than 2,500 carcasses were discovered on the shores of Dagestan. "The stranding of dead seal carcasses on the coast of the Caspian Sea in the fall has been a regular occurrence in recent years. It reoccurs at the same time—November to early December. Typically, due to the direction of the sea currents in Kazakhstan, such incidents occur slightly earlier, and two to three weeks later, the dead mammals are discovered in the Russian sector of the Caspian Sea." "This means that we predict a stranding of dead animals on the Dagestani coast at the end of November," the scientist believes. According to Maria Solovyova, the exact cause of the animals' deaths has not yet been determined. The reason is that they wash ashore already dead. Moreover, two to three weeks pass after their death. Photo: A view of a Caspian seal stranding from a height of 200 meters during aerial research by the "Soul of the Caspian" expedition. Photo: Clean Seas Foundation "To attribute the cause of death to a weakened immune system or infection, a recent death would require an examination of the individual. The Caspian seals that washed ashore were well-fed in previous years. For example, weight loss could indicate illness," the expert noted. "Histologists and veterinarians did not find any serious pathologies associated with any particular disease, such as changes in the structure of the kidneys, liver, or heart. The cause of their immediate death is drowning, meaning they suffocate in the water. However, why this occurs is still unclear." Several years ago, another hypothesis for the death of these animals emerged. Scientists attribute it to underwater emissions of methane and associated gases. The Caspian Sea basin is characterized by various oil and gas seeps, the intensity of which increases sharply during earthquakes. These emissions cause gas emissions, which in calm conditions form gas-filled lenses of air above the sea surface, where the seals suffocate. "Dead seal strandings in the Caspian Sea occur every year. Of course, they vary in scale. But I'd really like to try to get to the epicenter of these processes. That is, in October or November, we could go out on a boat and explore the waters to find the spot where they die. Such expeditions are very expensive and must be conducted not only at sea but also in the air, with aerial surveys. Unfortunately, there's no funding for this yet," laments Maria Solovyova. The last comprehensive study of Caspian seals in the Russian part of the Caspian Sea, as part of the "Soul of the Caspian" project, was conducted in 2021. A specially equipped Russian-made La-8 amphibious aircraft was used for the aerial survey. The team of scientists then managed to record from the air a single haulout of 500 seals, most of which were located on Maly Zhemchuzhny Island. Expedition members landed on it and were able to take measurements, determine the approximate age, and sample blood, fur, and whiskers from seven individuals, while also attaching satellite tags to the largest ones. In 2023, Caspian seal counts were conducted in winter using two types of aircraft. A manned La-8 served as a reconnaissance aircraft, and then silent UAVs flew over the waters unnoticed by the seals, combing and thoroughly scanning any aggregations of the animals. Specially installed infrared equipment helped identify not only adults but also newborn pups on the ice. "Ice conditions are crucial for an accurate Caspian seal population census. They reproduce, raise their young, and rest on the ice. In the Caspian Sea, ice forms in only two countries – Russia and Kazakhstan. This is why simultaneous aerial surveys over the waters of these two countries are necessary," the expert emphasized. According to Maria Solovyova, consolidated conservation efforts are needed, as the Caspian seal population has experienced many negative impacts over the 20th century. These include mining, ships polluting the waters, poaching, and a significant reduction in ice cover in the Caspian Sea due to frequent warm winters. The latest aerial surveys conducted by Russian and Kazakh scientists several years ago indicated that the estimated Caspian seal population currently stands at between 180,000 and 240,000 individuals. At the beginning of the 20th century, these numbers were five times higher. In 2020, the animal was listed in the Red Book of Russia as a second-category rare species, meaning it is declining in population. Incidentally, Caspian Seal Day is celebrated annually on March 24. To coincide with this date next year, the organizers of the "Soul of the Caspian" project—the Clean Seas environmental foundation—plan to release a documentary about these animals, titled "Harvesting Not Conserving! Time Will Place the Comma." Related materials: Clean Seas Foundation: "A Russian Academy of Sciences expert explained the likelihood of seal strandings on the Caspian coast" Ecology of Russia: "A scientist predicted the stranding of dead Caspian seals at the end of November"

During a visit of high academic and scientific value, Professor S.V. Naidenko, Director of the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS), met on Tuesday with the leadership of the National University of the Amazon in Peru (Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana). The main topic of the meeting was opportunities for collaboration in scientific research aimed at preserving Amazon biodiversity. The meeting took place at the University of Iquitos. S.V. Naidenko, along with José Antonio Hernández Blanco, PhD (Biology), Senior Researcher at IEE RAS, B.D. Efeikin, Researcher at IEE RAS, and D.S. Kostin, PhD (Biology), Researcher at IEE RAS, met with Mildred García Dávila, Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences. Henry Vladimir Delgado Wong, Head of the University's International Relations and Cooperation Office, also participated in the event. The main goal of the meeting was to assess the possibility of concluding a scientific cooperation agreement that would enable joint research in various fields related to ecology, evolution, and species conservation. The Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences is one of the most important biological research centers in Russia and worldwide. Founded in 1934, it has over 90 years of experience in research on animal ecology, biodiversity, behavior, and evolutionary morphology, as well as in developing conservation strategies. S.V. Naidenko, Professor and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, is known worldwide for his work on big cat conservation, mammalian behavioral ecology, and the protection of endangered species. His experience includes successful conservation projects for the Amur tiger and Far Eastern leopard, both critically endangered species. Potential areas of collaboration discussed at the meeting include parasitological research, biodiversity assessments using modern environmental DNA methods, and assessments of the impact of microplastics on organisms. Potential collaboration between the IEE RAS and the National University of the Amazon in Peru could yield the following results: Access to advanced research methods developed in Russia for wildlife studies.Opportunities to conduct joint research for publication in international journals with a high impact factor.Strengthening the position of the Faculty of Biological Sciences as a center for Amazonian research at the continental level.Increasing competitiveness for obtaining international funding for research projects. Both organizations agree that scientific research should directly contribute to the sustainable development of the Amazon region. Protecting and preserving biodiversity not only ensures the survival of unique species but also provides ecosystem services on which local communities depend. The IEE RAS can assist the University in implementing successful conservation programs that will help restore populations of species on the brink of extinction. Although the meeting was of an introductory nature, both parties expressed interest in formalizing an interinstitutional cooperation agreement that would lay the foundation for joint research projects, the exchange of researchers and students, and the organization of international academic events. This work is being carried out under grant No. 075-15-2025-655 from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, dated August 21, 2025.

Photo: the Golden Turtle Festival On Saturday, November 15, the Golden Turtle Festival in Moscow will host events as part of "Moscow Nature Day." Researchers from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) will give lectures on Moscow's ecosystems. Lecture Program: 11:00–11:30 Anton Aleksandrovich Goncharov, Senior Researcher, IEE RAS "Insects of Moscow" 11:35–12:05 Ksenia Vyacheslavovna Dudova, PhD (Biology), Senior Researcher, IEE RAS, Lecturer, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Science Popularizer "How Do Plants Adapt to the Urban Environment?" 12:10–12:40 Lyudmila Aizikovna Khlyap, Senior Researcher, IEE RAS, Curator of the Theriology Unit at Losiny Ostrov National Park "Animals of Losiny Ostrov, Common and Rare” 12:45-1:15 PM Andrey Borisovich Petrovsky, Researcher, IEE RAS, Editor of the Amphibians and Reptiles Section of the 3rd Edition of the Moscow Red Book "Alien Species of the Moscow Part of Losiny Ostrov National Park - Invasive Species Dangerous to the Park" 1:20-2:00 PM Alexey Vladimirovich Gornov, Deputy Director, CEPL RAS "Mechanisms for Maintaining Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functions of Moscow Forests" 2:55-3:25 PM Ivan Vladimirovich Sotnikov, Junior Researcher, IEE RAS "Traces of the Invisible: Environmental DNA — a Secret Weapon for Studying Urban Biodiversity" A detailed program with a description of the events is available at the following link (select November 15th): https://goldenturtle.ru/programma-2025 Lecture venue: Lecture Hall We look forward to seeing you at our lectures! Please note that tickets for the Golden Turtle Festival are only available online: https://goldenturtle.ru

The grand opening of the "Elements of Science" photo contest exhibition will take place on November 21, 2025, at 7:00 PM Moscow time at the Zodchie cultural space, located at 23 Partizanskaya Street, Moscow. Guests will be admitted from 6:00 PM. Admission is free! The winners of the competition will be announced at the opening ceremony, and commemorative gifts from the competition partners will be presented. The winners will be congratulated personally by: 1. Alexey Mikhailov, Director of the "Elements of Science" photo contest, PhD in Biology, member of the Union of Photographers of Russia, and lecturer in the Photography Department at Institute of Design and Photography and International College of Arts and Communication;; 2. Anna Geraskina, PhD in Biology, Head of the Laboratory of Structural-Functional Organization and Stability of Forest Ecosystems at the Center for Environmental, Social, and Cultural Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Head of the Soil Biota and Education Departments at the Carbon RITM consortium (Russian Innovative Technologies for Monitoring for Carbon consortium); 3. Elizaveta Ivantsova, Deputy General Director of the Institute of Environmental Design and Surveying, JSC, a partner of the "Elements of Science" photo contest; 4. A representative of the editorial board of "Science and Life" magazine, a partner of the competition; 5 Nadezhda Pupysheva, head of the Scientific Communications department at the Carbon RITM consortium, associate professor at the Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technologies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, and curator of the Elements of Science photo contest. The "Elements of Science" photo exhibition will run from November 18 to December 17 at the Zodchie cultural space. Everyone is welcome to visit: free of charge, no registration required, and admission is free from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Moscow time. The photo exhibition is dedicated to science and nature, and will feature photographs by the finalists of the 13th "Elements of Science" competition. The competition is held annually, and participants include both research fellows with a passion for photography and anyone who enjoys photographing nature. In 2025, the competition was held in six categories: Air Element – ​​landscapes and open spaces: drone photography and terrestrial photography; Water Element – ​​aquatic and near-aquatic ecosystems, underwater photography, underwater landscapes and organisms; Macrocosm Element – ​​macro- and microphotography; Human Element – ​​humans who transform the environment and humans who study it; Life Element – ​​individual organisms, portraits of animals and plants in their environment; Forest Element – ​​forest ecosystems as communities of closely interconnected elements: vegetation, soil, wildlife, water, and air. A special category of the Carbon RITM consortium. In 2025, 330 people from 123 cities across Russia, Belarus, France, Germany, China, and the United States participated in the competition. The largest number of applications came from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Bryansk, Nizhny Novgorod, and Volgograd. Participants uploaded 1,180 photographs, of which the jury selected 61 works to be displayed at the exhibition. The jury members were Viktor Tyakht, Nadezhda Muravyova, Natalya Lukina, Sergey Tolmachev, Vitaly Gorshkov, and Dmitry Kochergin. Competition partners: Science and Life magazine, the Carbon RITM consortium, and  the Institute of Environmental Design and Research. Detailed information about the competition is available on the website: fotoscience.ru

Fig. 1. Expedition route – from the Chersky ridge (2) to the Zyryanka village (1). Landmarks: 3 - Omulyovka river, tributary of Yasachnaya river (4), river Kolyma (5). E.S. Chertoprud, a research fellow at the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IEE RAS), and A.A. Novikov, from Kazan State University (KFU), participated in organizing and conducting a hydrobiological expedition in the Magadan Region and the Verkhnekolymsky District of Yakutia (Fig. 1). For approximately three weeks in July and August 2025, the hydrobiologists rafted on a catamaran and packraft along the Omulyovka and Yasachnaya Rivers (Fig. 2), collecting zooplankton and meiobenthos samples from reservoirs located on river terraces. Fig. 2. Through the Omchikchan midlands – on the way to Kolyma The main goal of the fieldwork was to analyze the diversity of microcrustaceans in the northern spurs of the Chersky Range and the floodplain waters of the upper Kolyma River. The primary targets were copepods (Copepoda) and cladocerans (Cladocera), which are abundant in the waters of the northern taiga. The expedition enjoyed sunny, hot weather, rare in Eastern Siberia. Locals joked that they "managed to experience a short Yakut summer." From the river's upper reaches, the hydrobiologists quickly rafted on the receding floodwaters—the result of heavy rains in early summer. By the time the group reached the rapids, the waters had already subsided, ensuring the safe passage of the route. Fig. 3. Swampy lakes of the northern slopes of the Chersky ridge (altitude > 600 m above sea level) More than 50 natural and oxbow lakes were surveyed, and samples were collected from the substream waters of several streams (Figs. 3, 4). Because the expedition's route followed the river valley flowing from the Chersky Ridge, the studied water bodies varied greatly in elevation. The southernmost lakes were located at approximately 1000 m, while the northernmost oxbow lakes in the Kolyma River floodplain were only 30 m above sea level. Overall, approximately 150 qualitative and quantitative samples of zooplankton and meiobenthos were collected, as well as bottom sediments for paleolimnological analysis. Crustaceans were collected from the water column using plankton nets, benthic organisms were collected using a tube sampler, and samples from the substream waters were obtained using the Karaman-Chapuis method: small holes on the shore were dug, water seeped into them, and then this water was filtered using a net. Fig. 4. Swampy lakes of the northern slopes of the Chersky Ridge (altitude > 600 m above sea level) Some of the copepod material has already been analyzed, revealing a number of species new to the studied areas, as well as several species new to science. The remarkable diversity of the fauna is particularly noteworthy: 29 copepod species were found in 10 samples (Fig. 5). It is noteworthy that many of the discovered species are already known from Central and Eastern Siberia. This may indicate a commonality in the copepod fauna across Siberia, from the Yenisei River to the Kolyma River. Further laboratory work is planned to identify all discovered crustaceans to the highest possible taxonomic level. Morphological character studies and molecular genetic analysis will be performed on a number of taxa with questionable status or potentially new to science. Thus, the expedition's materials will provide an opportunity to fill gaps in our knowledge of the structure and regulation of aquatic communities in northeastern Eurasia. Fig. 5. Some interesting species of Copepoda: A. Acanthodiaptomus pacificus – a typical Far Eastern species; B. Ectocyclops phaleratus – a rare species in cold regions; C. Eucyclops arcanus – a typical Siberian species; D. Diacyclops sp. – possibly new to science; E. Attheyella dentata – a Palearctic species; Bryocamptus sp. – possibly a new species, previously recorded in Central Siberia The expedition was supported by local residents throughout the fieldwork, ensuring the rapid and safe transportation of the hydrobiologists to the start and end points of the route. We wholeheartedly thank Alexander Vladimirovich Kremnev, without whose assistance it would have been impossible to reach the upper reaches of the Omulyovka River with all our expedition equipment. We also extend a special thanks to Sergei Anatolyevich Dolgov, head of the village of Zyryanka, for his assistance in organizing sampling in the floodplains of the Yasachnaya and Kolyma rivers, as well as for transporting the team from Yakutia back to the Magadan Region (Fig. 6). Fig. 6. Expedition members with the head of the village of Zyryanka Future plans include continuing the analysis of aquatic microcrustacean communities in the Magadan Region and the Verkhnekolymsky District of Yakutia. A key focus of this research will be assessing the impact of mineral development on aquatic biodiversity.

Based on the results of research conducted by scientists from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow), the I.D. Papanin Institute of Biology of Inland Waters of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Borok), the A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Sevastopol), and the Southern Branch of the Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technology Center (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam), a collective monograph, “Biological Diversity and Ecological Status of the Mekong Delta (Vietnam)” (edited by I.N. Marin and A.V. Tiunov), was prepared. Moscow: KMK Scientific Publications Partnership. 2025. 541 p. The Mekong River is the largest in Indochina and one of the most voluminous rivers in the world. In its lower reaches, the river forms a vast delta located in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The delta covers approximately 40,000 square kilometers. Over 2.6 million hectares (approximately 65% ​​of the delta's area) are used for agriculture, accounting for approximately a quarter of the country's total cultivated land. Up to 90% of the country's rice exports are grown in these areas. The river's natural branches and a vast network of artificial canals form the largest transportation system in the south of the country. The delta is home to approximately 20 million people; it adjoins the combined deltas of the Dong Nai and Saigon rivers and the vast metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. Due to its vast size and diverse ecological conditions, the Mekong Delta supports a wide variety of animals, including a number of endemic species, making it a center of biological diversity. However, high anthropogenic load inevitably has a negative impact on the delta's complex and dynamic ecosystems. The natural hydrological regime of the Mekong has been altered by the construction of dams, dikes, and irrigation canals, significantly affecting water flow, the direction of bottom currents, the dynamics of river sediments, and siltation. This disrupts habitats at the confluence of river and sea waters and the migration routes of aquatic animals. Pesticides and fertilizers from fields, antibiotics from coastal fish and shrimp farms, urban runoff, petroleum products, and other toxic substances enter the water; the riverbed and bottom sediments are polluted with solid waste, particularly plastic. Pollution and overfishing reduce the diversity and abundance of aquatic organisms. Human impact is exacerbated by global climate change, which leads to rising sea levels and, consequently, the infiltration of saltwater through channels deep into the delta and soil salinization. Clearly, the delta's biodiversity and ecological well-being are under threat and require close attention. This collective monograph presents the results of comprehensive research conducted primarily between 2020 and 2024 under the Ecolan E-3.4 theme "Mekong River Ecosystem under Global Climate Change and Anthropogenic Impact" of the Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technology Center. The author's chapters cover a wide range of key characteristics of the delta ecosystem. The first section examines the delta's hydrological conditions and its zoning. The second section describes the current state of the biota, including data on biodiversity and quantitative characteristics of phytoplankton, major zooplankton groups, benthic crustaceans, and fish. The third section examines various aspects of anthropogenic impact, from trawling and plastic pollution of the delta to detailed data on the concentrations of heavy metals, radionuclides, and hydrocarbons in water and bottom sediments. The main text of the chapters is presented in Russian, with abstracts in English. The monograph in PDF format is available for reading and downloading at the link.

Scientists from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS), co-authored with colleagues from the N.K. Koltsov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IB RAS), presented prioritized data on the multilevel molecular differentiation of the Strand's birch mouse, Sicista strandi, a restricted-range southern European-Caucasian species. To clarify the nature of Sicista strandi differentiation (the appearance of the specimen from the Kursk region is shown above), the authors analyzed the variability of the mitochondrial cytb gene and a fragment of the first exon of the nuclear IRBP gene in several species samples. The obtained results demonstrated the subdivision of S. strandi into two genetically highly separated forms: one (northern - II) includes individuals from the Belgorod (Belogorye) and Kursk regions, and the other (southern - I - A, B) includes samples from populations of the North Caucasus, Saratov, Rostov (R/D), and Luhansk regions. Within the southern form, moderate differences were detected for the first time between Strand's birch mice from the Rostov region and populations of the North Caucasus and Saratov region. One S. strandi specimen from the Belgorod region was noted to have haplotypes of the IRBP gene typical for this population, but also an alien mitotype similar to those of individuals from the Rostov region (Fig. 1). "This result may indicate the present or past existence of a hybrid zone between the northern form and the 'Don' lineage of the southern form," says study co-author Marina Baskevich, PhD, senior researcher. Another co-author of the study from the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, PhD, senior researcher Lyudmila Khlyap, notes the unique nature of hybridization for the genus Sicista. The practical significance of this study lies in its contribution to the study of biodiversity and the patterns of formation of the Palearctic rodent fauna. The work was published in the journal Animals: Bogdanov, A.S.; Rozhkova, D.N.; Khlyap, L.A.; Baskevich, M.I. Multi-Level Molecular Differentiation of Populations of the Strand's Birch Mouse Sicista strandi (Rodentia, Dipodoidea). Animals 2025, 15, 2605. Presented by Baskevich M.I., Senior Researcher, Microevolution Lab, IEE RAS.

Experts from the Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IEE) of the Russian Academy of Sciences conducted a field study of the fauna of Bobrovy Island in the Nagatinsky Zaton district of Moscow and recommended clearing the island of debris and improving the beavers' living conditions on the island by replenishing the food supply and dredging the seabed along the shore. "Since Soviet times, the island has been an abandoned storage site for building materials, part of the loading and unloading system of the Yuzhny Port. The island is currently in a state of disrepair – there is a lot of trash, including large items (tires, rebar, broken batteries), illegal buildings, and other traces of illegal picnics. The inner lake is particularly polluted," commented Andrey Zaitsev, PhD in Geographical Sciences and head of the IEE RAS Technology Transfer Center. A study by IEE RAS also showed that the beavers' food supply on the island has been depleted. Almost all the aspen trees found on the island, which are the beavers' primary food source, have either already fallen or bear tooth marks and could be felled as early as this winter. Living conditions for beavers on the island will only worsen, so measures must be taken to improve them, including clearing debris, planting the plants most attractive for beavers, and dredging the bottom near the shore to allow the animals to dig additional burrows. "Renewal and development of Bobrovy Island will help preserve the animal population. Leaving the island untouched means losing the animals currently living there: when their food supply is completely exhausted, they will abandon the island, which could even lead to their death. After all, there are no other suitable habitats for them in this part of Moscow, or they are already occupied by other beavers. The only correct solution is to carry out restoration work and further renew the area, taking into account the interests of the animals. This is feasible – there is international experience in ensuring comfortable coexistence between beavers and people in the same area," emphasized Andrey Zaitsev. A study by IEE RAS confirmed that, contrary to popular belief about the island's mass infestation, a single family of up to six animals lives there, with two or three additional individuals occasionally visiting. "This means that the permanent inhabitants of Bobrovy Island, after which it was named, can be counted on the fingers of two hands," noted Ivan Bashinsky, a senior researcher at the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences and a PhD in Biology. To preserve the existing beaver population on the island, it will be necessary to allocate a separate area for them, providing improved living conditions and food supplies. The remaining territory, where beavers' presence is undesirable and unsafe for the animals themselves, must be protected from their invasion, including by planting plant species unattractive to them. Related materials: News.Mail:  "The Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences has called for the planting of willows and water lilies to preserve beavers on Bobrovy Island" Science.Mail: "Beavers may disappear from Moscow's Bobrovy Island" SkyTechNews: "Scientists are calling for the conservation of beavers in Moscow: researchers have already found a solution to the problem"

Video recordings of all online lectures in the "World of Wetland Ecosystems: From Basics to Innovations" series have been published publicly. They have been compiled into thematic playlists on the following platforms: VKontakte Youtube From January to May 2025, scientists from the RITM Carbon Consortium, together with invited experts, conducted 19 online lectures aimed at popularizing modern scientific knowledge about the structure and functioning of wetland ecosystems. A total of 2,674 people registered for the lectures, including representatives of the scientific and educational communities, school and university students, business and government representatives, and creative professionals. During and after the online lectures, we saw great interest from attendees, receiving many expressions of gratitude and requests to make the lecture recordings publicly available. You asked, and we heard you! All lecture recordings are now publicly available – enjoy! Lecture List: Marsh Science: A Science of the Past, Present, and Future. E.D. Lapshina, Yugra University;Methods for Studying the Structure and Dynamics of Marsh Ecosystems. O.L. Kuznetsov, S.A. Kutenkov, Karelian Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences;Life and Adaptations of Plants in Marshes. N.P. Mironycheva-Tokareva, N.P. Kosykh, E.K. Vishnyakova, Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry RAS (ISSA RAS);Main Soil Types in Marsh Ecosystems. S.V. Loyko, Tomsk State University;Who Lives in Marshes? Part 1. The Role of Marshes in Maintaining the Annual Cycles of Western Siberian Birds. E.G. Strelnikov, Yugansky Nature Reserve;Who Lives in Marshes? Part 2. Mammals, Reptiles, and Amphibians of Marshes. N.V. Nakonechny, Surgut State University;Geography of Marshes Worldwide and in Russia and the Coverage of Its Territories by the Russian Climate Monitoring System. Yu.V. Kupriyanova, Yugra University ;The Role of Coastal Wetlands in Climate Change Mitigation: A Review of Research Trends. N.E. Ryazanova, MGIMO;Tall-grass Spruce Forests in Lowland Bogs – Refugia of Biological Diversity. A.V. Gornov, CEPF RAS;The Role of Bogs in Climate Regulation: Why Methane Emissions Cannot Be Ignored and How Should They Be Accounted for? A.F. Sabrekov, Yugra University;Carbon Stocks and Fluxes in Soil and Biomass of Main Bog Types. E.E. Veretennikova, E.A. Dyukarev, Institute of Monitoring of Climatic and Ecological Systems, Yugra University;The Potential of Bog Ecosystems for Greenhouse Gas Absorption, Carbon Accumulation, and Sequestration: Applied Aspects. A.A. Kaverin, Yugra University;Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in Bog Ecosystem Studies: Automation of Ground-Based Measurements. D.V. Ilyasov, Yugra University;Dynamics of Vegetation and Carbon Stocks in Swamp Forests Under the Effects of Drainage. A.A. Egorov, Institute of Forest Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences;Rewetting of Drained Swamps as a Method of Protection from Peat Fires. M.A. Medvedeva, Institute of Forest Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences;The Role of Swamps in the Livelihoods of Indigenous Minority Peoples. S.V. Onina, Yugra University;Phyto-Purification Systems – Constructed Wetlands. N.M. Shchegolkova, Faculty of Soil Science, Moscow State University;Inorganic Carbon in Swamp Ecosystems. E.A. Soldatova, Institute of Forest Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences;Mathematical Modeling in Swamp Science. M.V. Glagolev, Faculty of Soil Science, Moscow State University.

Photo 1: Participants of one of the first expeditions to study the octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin anomaly in the Hoang Lien Nature Reserve. Researchers from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS), together with colleagues from the Department of Chemistry and Environment of the Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Science and Technology Center, conducted a study of soils from various regions of Vietnam and discovered over thirty structural groups of previously undescribed highly chlorinated organic compounds, presumably of natural origin. Back in the mid-2000s, researchers recorded abnormally high levels of one dioxin, octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, in Hoang Lien National Park in northern Vietnam, along with a distribution pattern of other dioxins atypical for industrial processes. Interestingly, elevated levels of this substance with a similar distribution pattern were also observed in Australia, including in nature reserves unaffected by human activity. These observations led scientists to ask: could such compounds be of natural origin and what other organochlorines are present in these soils? And whether similar processes are occurring in other regions of Vietnam. To answer these questions, a modern method, high-precision mass spectrometry (HRAM MS), was used. Photo 2: Soil profile at the site with the highest octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin content in Vietnam, Hoang Lien Nature Reserve. The analysis revealed more than two hundred individual highly chlorinated compounds, most of which had not previously been encountered in the scientific literature. Some compounds were structurally similar to natural antibiotics. "The wide variety of structures with a limited number of isomers and the absence of obvious anthropogenic precursors indicate the existence of a number of natural, likely biogenic, processes leading to their formation and serve as further confirmation of the hypothesis of the natural origin of octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin," notes Andrey Shelepchikov, leading researcher at the Laboratory of Analytical Ecotoxicology at IEE RAS. To date, more than eight thousand natural halogen-containing compounds are known, but most contain only a small number of chlorine atoms. The discovery of large quantities of highly and even perchlorinated compounds in background soils significantly expands our understanding of natural chlorination processes. Scientists have yet to determine the biological and chemical processes that lead to the formation of these compounds and their role in ecosystem functioning. Based on their structural similarity, some of them may possess antibiotic properties, opening up prospects for the search for compounds to combat pathogens resistant to known antibiotics. The work was published in the journal Chemosphere: Andrey A. Shelepchikov, Anastasia D. Kudryavtseva, Truong X. Nghiem. Naturally occurring highly chlorinated organic compounds in soils with elevated OCDD concentrations, Chemosphere, Volume 391, 2025, 144723.