Evaluation and Spatial Variability of Cryogenic Soil Properties (Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District, Russia)

Navigating Agricultural Expansion in Harsh Conditions in Russia: Balancing Development with Insect Protection in the Era of Pesticides

As the world's population continues to increase, ensuring food security becomes a major problem. This often leads to the expansion of agricultural production, even in harsh conditions and becomes a key problem for many countries, including Russia. However, such expansion may entail certain costs, including the potential loss of insect populations, which are vital for ecological balance and agricultural productivity. The development of fallow lands in these regions is necessary to increase food production and increase food security; it is important to balance this with protection from harmful insects and sustainable farming methods. Research into the effects of insecticides on insects is an ongoing challenge, and new, sustainable farming methods are needed to ensure that protection from harmful insects and sustainable development can coexist. This article discusses the use of pesticides to protect the well-being of mankind, the problems of studying the effects of pesticides on insects and the vulnerability of insects to pesticides in regions with harsh conditions. It also discusses successful methods of sustainable agriculture and the importance of the legal framework governing the use of pesticides. The article emphasises the importance of balanced development with insect protection to ensure the sustainability of agricultural expansion in harsh conditions.

Soils and olericultural practices in circumpolar region of Russia at present and in the past

Circumpolar regions are often associated with activities such as reindeer herding, hunting, fishing, and gathering wild foods, but few know that locals have practiced olericulture since ancient times. Under a changing climate, the agricultural frontier will inevitably shift northward, so it is important to understand the current and past patterns of local soil functioning. Olericultural practices in the Arctic region seem difficult due to the harsh climate; however, it is being implemented. In this paper, we report the agricultural practices used by local residents to increase the yield of crops grown in the Yamal region. We also studied the chemical properties and fertility of soils under private gardens (both active and abandoned). At present, the yields of private olericulture in Yamal even exceed those of industrial vegetable-growing farms. It is revealed that private vegetable growers can achieve an increase in soil fertility by increasing the content of nutrients (P2O5 over 1,500 mg kg−1, K2O up to 500 mg kg−1) and organic carbon up to 17%, as well as the regulation of the acid-alkaline regime. It is also found that soil fertility indicators in private vegetable gardens are higher compared to industrial fields. Such soils are not typical for the cryolithozone and can be classified as Anthrosols. Soils of abandoned vegetable gardens can retain a high level of fertility for a long time due to the specific climatic conditions of the Arctic. As a result, the research showed that it is possible to grow vegetables beyond the Arctic Circle by adapting local soils and applying specific practices typical for cryolithozone.