Acta Biologica Sibirica 7: 593-607, doi: 10.3897/abs.7.e78450
The spatial analysis of landscape ecological stability and ecological security in the steppe regions of Russia
expand article infoAlexander A. Chibilyov Jr, Dmitry S. Meleshkin, Dmitry V. Grigorevsky
‡ Institute of Steppe of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia
Open Access
Abstract

The ecological-economic security [EES] and the landscape-ecological stability of the steppe regions of Russia are the main factors of national security and indicators of the sustainability of socio-economic development. Therefore, it is advisable to consider them based on large-scale studies. The study territory is a mesoregion, including the steppe zone of Russia. A comprehensive analysis of the economic development, social sector, and ecological condition of the territory became the basis for assessing the EES of the regions. We assessed landscape-ecological stability by calculating the coefficient of ecological stability of the landscape. Based on reliable information, we formed a database that comprises 37 indicators for 18 steppe regions of Russia. Using the coefficients and integral indices, we compiled an integrated schematic map. As a result, we established that the level of stability of the ecological landscape increases to the northeast of the studied territory. We observed the maximum value of the ecological and economic security index (1.8) in Krasnodar Krai, the Republic of Bashkortostan, and Novosibirsk Krai. Furthermore, we characterized the regions where the coefficient of ecological landscape stability exceeded 1 by indicators of ecological and economic security, presented in the ratio 1/1.5/2.

Keywords
Ecological-economic security, landscape-ecological stability, economic development, social sector, ecological condition, steppe zone, Russia