The research aims to test a hypothesis about nonstationarity of intercomponent relationships within a landscape unit, namely the composition of correlation groups, linkage density and the type of interdependency. We hypothesize also that inner differentiation of a landscape unit is possible within the framework conditions imposed by higher-order geosystems. We compare the quality of multiregression and correlation models for: a) central and peripheral sectors of a single unit; b) data sets of the sectors of a unit having different neighboring units; c) two types of facies within a locality; d) data sets of landscape and locality levels. Case study was performed in the Ustyansky district of the Arkhangelsk region, in the middle taiga landscape with structural relief shaped by glacial and erosion processes. The composition of correlation groups of landscape properties varies within the landscape thus evidencing the non-stationary nature of intercomponent relationships. Facial differentiation within urochishche could be conferred by neighboring urochishches. The interior sections of interfluve areas preserve the linkages among vegetation layers in comparison with partly destroyed soil-vegetation relationships. This could be explained by the higher input of phytocoenosis self-development under poor drainage conditions regardless the properties of the morpholithogenous basis. Decreasing diversity of landscape-forming drivers at the lower hierarchical level results in the changes of correlation groups and linkage density. 

Soil-geochemical surveys of 2011–2013 resulted in the determination of bulk contents of 16 heavy metals and metalloids (HMMs) of 1 to 3 hazard categories in urban and background catenas of the towns of Zakamensk and Erdenet. Geochemical structure of mining centers background catenas is governed by the high litho-geochemical heterogeneity of parent rocks. The highest concentrations of Ba, Sb, Cd, Mo, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co within the Dzhida and Erdenet ore clusters correlate with the underdeveloped mountain soils of autonomous landscapes. Ore fields exploitation sharply increases the lateral contrast of HMMs and results in the accumulation of chalcophile elements Mo, Bi, W, Sb, Cu, As, Cd, Pb and Sn in Zakamensk superaqual positions while Cu, Mo, Sb and As accumulate in Erdenet trans-accumulative positions. Recent erosion processes destroy tailing dumps, thus supporting the formation of artificial natural-anthropogenic sorption-sedimentological lateral geochemical barriers. The increased content of sand in Zakamensk and the input of silt in Erdenet result in the accumulation of ore elements (Mo, W and Cu) at the barriers in subordinate landscapes.

Specific features of spatial distribution of the ground-level ozone and aerosols in the neighborhood of the Karadag background environmental monitoring station were studied, both in the recreational zones and the anthropogenic pollution zones of the southeast Crimea. Significant ground-level ozone fluctuations (from +15 to –22 g/m3) were detected relative to background values with a noticeable decrease in groundlevel ozone values along the Simferopol highway with intensive traffic and increased ground-level ozone concentrations near the sea shore. The aerosol optical thickness in urban environment (the Koktebel town) was 0,02–0,04 higher than the background values. With the growth of anthropogenic pollution, the increasing Angstrom parameter is observed (up to 0,5 in comparison with background conditions) due to the growth of fine aerosols. Along the shoreline the Angstrom parameter decreases because of the growth of coarse aerosol fraction. Model calculations of radiative transfer, with account of variations in ground-level ozone and aerosol for various points of observations, have shown more important role of aerosol optical thickness fluctuations (up to 5%) in comparison with the changes of ground-level ozone concentrations (up to 1%) for erythemally weighted UV radiation.

Estimates of the frequency of storm waves in the Barents Sea are given. The results were obtained on the basis of data from the simulation of wind waves during 1979 to 2010 using the WAVEWATCH III wave model on the nonstructural grid. Number of episodes with various heights of waves (from 4 to 10 m) is calculated for every month in the Barents Sea. The assessment of inter-annual variability of the frequency of storm waves is carried out.

There is no significant linear trend for the frequency of storm waves in the Barents Sea for 1979–2010 period. Episodes with wave height more than 6 m were more frequent in 1979–1991, less frequent in 1991– 2002 and more frequent again after 2003. Maximum number of such waves is during 1990 to 1993. Interannual variability of storm waves is very high (for different years the number of storm waves episodes can vary by 2 to 3 times). The coefficient of correlation between the index of the Arctic fluctuation and the frequency of waves more than 7 m high is 0,6. The coefficient of correlation of the number of deep cyclones with the frequency of waves more than 7 m high makes 0,67. 

The influence of meteorological parameters and characteristic groups of synoptic situations on the level of air pollution in St. Petersburg is discussed. Data sets of surface meteorological parameters, radio sounding of the atmosphere, synoptic situations and levels of air pollution during 2006 to 2014 are generated. The research results allow the development of schemes to determine the expected level of air pollution in the city using the «tree of decision» method.

Transformation of food consumption in Russia’s regions during the post-Soviet period is analyzed basing on the data on the share of food expenditure in the structure of consumer spending. A non-linear trend of consumption modernization is revealed, as well as its dependence on macroeconomic dynamics, level of money income adjusted for the cost of living, and poverty rate. The article shows the influence of geographic, economic and other factors on the share of natural food revenues in population consumption. Compared with the crisis of the 1990s, the latest crisis of 2014–2017 showed that the population of the regions just minimally compensated the decreasing money income by the growing revenues from household plots of land. The patriarchal model of adaptation to crises by intensifying revenues from the household plots is becoming a thing of the past in the majority of Russian regions.

Socio-economic components of «life quality» of the population are analyzed for the rural area in a typical South Russian region. The concept of «life quality» is considered using the integrative approach which combines subjective and objective assessments. The major source of empirical data is field studies, including population and expert surveys carried out in the Stavropol Krai. The obtained data reflect the subjective perception of life quality by villagers; in some cases it was supplemented with official statistics. Economic indicators, i.e. the level of financial well-being and the indicators describing socio-cultural and recreational spheres of life in settlements with different population numbers and economic-geographical position were also analyzed. The main parameters of life quality demonstrate involvement of rural residents into modernization development, which has both positive and negative effects associated with the destruction of traditional way of life and the decrease in demographic potential. At the same time there is also gradual development of features that ensure successful socio-economic adaptation to new conditions. The quality of living environment is getting deformed under the influence of positional factors, leading to the differentiation of rural settlements into prospecting and unpromising ones.

The article considers a system of settlement centers (SC) that existed in the Staritsa raion of the Tver oblast in the middle of 1980 and the beginning of 2016. SCs are identified by the location of authorities and objects of social infrastructure. Six classes of the SC are identified: from those with a full set of service facilities to «ordinary» rural settlements with a minimum set of less than significant objects. Method of «transition matrix» was used for the analysis of changes. The study showed that the SC network, like the entire network of rural settlements, is under degradation. The total number of SC decreased almost three times over 36 years. Most of the rural settlements that preserved central functions have moved down the steps of the SC hierarchy. At the same time, the SCs are much more stable than other rural settlements; their leading position in the rural settlement network has noticeably increased.

The increase in the number of functions of the Moscow agglomeration countryside and the increased mobility of the rural population make it difficult to register the rural settlement and the rural population. The settlement acquires a «pulsating» character, when it is already difficult to determine to which settlement the population data should be tied, and the boundaries between rural and urban residents are erased. The article attempts to identify the real location of the population and the causes of differences in the population registration carried out by various methods. The density of seasonal rural population is estimated using the dasymetric method.

The Donuzlav Lake, which is located in the western part of the Crimean peninsula, is actively exploited by man. The sand is extracted and mussels and oysters farms are operating. The eastern part of the lake is actively exploited. The western coast of the Donuzlav Lake is not subjected to anthropogenic pressure and is poorly studied. The study is aimed at the comprehensive assessment of pollution level for the priority classes of pollutants. This assessment includes the determination of the content of oil hydrocarbons in water and bottom sediments; chloroform-extractable substances and microelements (Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, V, Sr, Ti, Mn, Fe) in the bottom sediments of the north-western coast of the Donuzlav Lake. Concentrations of oil hydrocarbons in lake water do not exceed the MPC for fishery reservoirs. According to the content of chloroform-extractable substances, bottom sediments of the lake correspond to I–III levels of pollution. Concentrations of metals in marine sediments of the northwestern coast of the Donuzlav Lake differ from the adjacent areas of the open sea. Higher concentrations of microelements (Zn, Co, V, Sr, Ti) were recorded for the studied coastal water area while for the bottom sediments of the open sea this geochemical feature was not revealed. Basing on the 2017 data on the level of bottom sediments contamination with priority classes of pollutants, the Donuzlav Lake can be characterized as a reservoir with an intermediate pollution level.

Regularities of the temporal distribution of extreme air temperature values (absolute minimum and absolute maximum) in the Ararat Plain and its foothill zone are discussed; the dynamics of changes is investigated and the existing problems are revealed.

The structure of studies in human geography in foreign countries is analyzed basing on the materials of the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers – the largest scientific event as for participant numbers. It is revealed that theoretical and methodical studies are responding new social challenges and focus on the practical needs of territorial governance. The wide breadth of topics is supported by the use of new data (including «big data»). There is a trend for the dominance of urban research with the «in-depth» expansion of themes. Specific features of the Western societal structure and discourse explain the increased interest in the topics of social justice and the «spatial» rights of the vulnerable groups of population and migrants.