The article presents the industries where sand is an indispensable raw material. Information about the deposits in the region is provided.

   The purpose of the work is to determine the physical properties and qualitative characteristics of the useful strata.

   The geological structure and hydrogeological conditions of the Volodin Kamen deposit are considered in detail. The complexity of the geological structure of the quarry field is assessed. The useful deposit, overburden and underlying rocks are described. The qualitative characteristics of the mineral are given based on the results of geological exploration. The quality of sand is assessed according to the requirements of GOST 8736-2014 “Sand for Construction Work”. The results of determining the granulometric composition, true density, filtration coefficient, angle of repose, and potential reactivity are performed and presented. According to the size, unsustained thickness of the useful strata and the quality of raw materials, the deposit is assigned to group 2. A radiation and hygienic assessment was carried out to determine the suitability of natural sand for industrial development. Continuous gamma logging of wells with point registration (every 1 m) was carried out using the SRP-68-01 No. 373 device. The radioactivity of the rocks of the Volodin Kamen deposit varies from 5.0 to 7.0 μR/hour (the norm is 48 μR/hour), which is significantly less than the requirements of NRB 99/2009 SanPiN 2.6.1.2523-09, therefore it belongs to class 1 of building materials, and they can be used in construction without restrictions. According to the deposit, the quality of natural sand meets the requirements of GOST 8736-2014 “Sand for construction work” and it can be used for the construction of foundations and coatings of highways.

   The main objective of rock typification of the described formation in the present work is to establish the spatial and temporal relationship and the degree of influence of genetic and lithological features of the development conditions of rock complexes of the red-colored terrigenous formation on the formation of engineering and geological properties.

   The role of post-genetic processes is essential for rock formation. Depending on the direction of the process, it can have both positive influence (strengthening of structural bonds) and negative influence in the form of changes in mineralogical composition and destruction of previously formed structural bonds. The processes of progressive lithogenesis, corresponding to the stage of diagenesis and catagenesis of sedimentary formations, lead to a fundamental transformation of the nature of structural bonds in the soil and, as a consequence, their properties. The development of these processes in geologic history is related both to the geological and structural position of the massifs and to the duration of their occurrence. In this regard, older altered soils have, as a rule, higher strength characteristics. This is especially clear in postgenetic transformations of clayey and initially sandy soils (the latter are transformed into sandstones). The author of the study did not aim to classify all the rocks of the formation. The most characteristic and significant from the engineering-geological point of view genetic complexes of rocks were identified, which allow to show the influence of the diversity of sedimentation conditions on the formation of soil properties. The paper presents the systematization of sedimentation conditions, which made it possible to create an engineering-geological typification of rocks and determine the hierarchy within the formation by linking rocks and facies to genetic complexes.

   Pedogenic carbonates are the main source of soil inorganic carbon, which plays an important role in the exchange of carbon between the soil and the atmosphere. Thus, it has an impact on global climate processes. In addition, this process further arouses interest in the study of carbonates because climate change is considered one of the urgent problems of our time [18]. The article presents the results of a study of pedogenic carbonates in automorphic soils of the subtaiga zone of the southeastern part of Western Siberia. The research was conducted in the south-east of Western Siberia (Tom-Yayskoye interfluve) in the subtaiga natural zone. The processes related to the distribution of carbonate horizons in the soil profile have been studied. Morphological features of carbonate neoplasms, including chemogenic (hypocutanes) and biogenic formations (biofilms with needle-like calcite crystals), have been studied using optical methods and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the influence of microrelief factors on the formation of carbonate horizons in the conditions of the subtaiga zone of the southeastern part of Western Siberia has been assessed. A significant diversity in the distribution of inorganic carbons in soils with a thickness of two meters was established. Regional differences in CaO content were identified: in the Tomsk region, the average CaO content in carbonate horizons is 3.0 – 4.0 %, and in the Kemerovo region – 6 %. This indicates less intensive leaching of carbonates in the southern part of the region. The main form of carbonate neoplasms is hypocutans, which form near the upper line of the carbonate horizon around the root canals. It was shown that the formation of hypocutanes is linked to both the movement of carbonates from deeper layers (perdescendum model) and the stretching of capillary solutions as they dry out (perascendum model). The results obtained are important for understanding the current state of soil carbonate horizons and predicting their changes in a changing climate.

   This paper attempts to calculate hydrocarbon reserves in productive formations of the Buyaginskaya deep drilling area. Brief information on the lithologic-stratigraphic section and tectonic structure of the Buyaginskaya structure, which is located in the western part of the Suntar uplift of the Siberian Platform, is given. Zonal and sectional features of the prospective Kharystan Vendian horizon are noted based on the history of the region’s development. The results of well testing in the intervals of occurrence of Kharystan and Osinsk productive horizons are presented. On the basis of the data obtained during the trial operation of the Kharystan productive horizon deposit, the reserves were estimated by the pressure drop method. The conclusion was made about low potential of the Kharystan horizon gas deposit within the studied area. Based on field geophysical data, the calculation parameters for the Osinsk horizon were substantiated and oil and gas reserves were calculated using the volumetric method. It is shown by calculation that the reserves of the Buyaginskaya area can be classified as shallow according to the current reserves classification. The results of prospecting and exploration works in the area of the junction of the Vilyuchanskaya saddle and the Predpatomsky regional trough, showing high prospects of the Kharystan horizon in the regional plan, are presented. On the basis of the conducted studies, it is suggested that the Kharystan horizon may be distributed within the avlacogens, which are narrow and extended negative structures of the crystalline basement of northeastern strike along the northwestern and southeastern slopes of the Suntar uplift. Similar zones of oil and gas accumulation may be developed along the slopes of the Arbaisko-Sinskiy rampart. Alternative ways to monetize the available gas resources of the Buyaginskoye prospective field were proposed.

   Recently, remote methods for analyzing the dynamics and condition of a stand have become widely used. In order to meet the criteria of the UNESCO Global Geopark, it is important for Toratau Geopark to conduct research on global climate change and sustainable management of natural resources. Using vector data from the 2017 forest management and statistical data from the AlOS Palsar raster, a regression and correlation analysis was performed. Raster statistics are obtained using the SAGA GIS module (QGIS program) tool – raster statistics into polygons (average value). Also, based on the obtained regression equation, images reflecting the stock of the stand of the Toratau Geopark for 2017 and 2023 were constructed. The regression analysis showed the presence of a significant relationship between the values of AlOS Palsar pixels and stand stocks – Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.62, coefficient of determination R² = 0.38. The results of the 2017 stand stock assessment according to the tax descriptions and ALOS Palsar (HV polarization) differ slightly. The distribution of the maximum values of the stand stock according to ALOS Palsar data also corresponds to the northern part of the geopark, but the number of polygons with the maximum value is lower than according to the taxation data. The maximum value range is 279-497 m³ per ha. in the image of 2023, areas with a negative stock of stand are marked – they correspond to the cut-down sites. The proposed approach can be used to monitor logging, the phytosanitary condition of the stand and the impact of recreation on the forests of Toratau Geopark.

   For the successful implementation of ecosystem research and forecasting their condition in the future, the history of the development of the territories nature study is of undoubted interest. An important area of such research is the study of the paleogeographic development of the territory of a particular region and the closely related history of flora development. Rare plants can act as an indicator of plant dispersal routes, as studying their distribution helps to understand the genesis of flora and vegetation. Relics traditionally make up a significant proportion of rare plants. At the same time, the relict species is an expression of the historical development of the flora. The purpose of the study was to study possible migration routes of rare vascular plants of Yugra to supplement knowledge about the historical development of the taiga flora of Western Siberia. Paleogeographic analysis was carried out according to the literature data. The names of physico-geographical countries are used for the distribution of vascular plants of the Red Book of Yugra (2024) by flora types. When studying populations or single occurrences of rare plants, traditional methods were used to study the floristic richness of the site, map reconnaissance routes with photographing flora species, conduct geobotanical and geomorphological profiles, describe characteristic landscapes, and perform landscape mapping with characteristics of the relief of a key site. The ontogenetic states of plants were identified according to generally accepted methods. The article presents possible migration routes of rare vascular plants of Yugra to supplement knowledge about the historical development of the taiga flora of Western Siberia. It is shown that the formation of the modern flora of the taiga of Western Siberia occurred mainly in the Holocene as a result of the migration of plants to vacant land areas from neighboring territories: the Urals, the East European Plain, Eastern Siberia, the Arctic and Subarctic belts. In modern conditions, while observing climatic trend towards an increase in average annual air temperatures, flora acts as an indicator of ongoing changes. The further study of the history of the Yugra flora formation is necessary in order to assess the changes taking place and predict further ways of developing vegetation and landscapes in
general.

   Understanding the dynamics of human-modified natural landscapes after the minimization of anthropogenic impact is an important aspect of dynamic landscape science. The problem of formation of abandoned rural settlements has background and tendencies to intensify in the conditions of urbanization.

   The aim of this study is to identify the features of post-anthropogenic transformation of rural settlement landscapes for the abandoned village of Ust-Yudoma in the Ust-Maysky District of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia).

   The study region is in the middle taiga landscape zone with continuous permafrost. The landscape structure of the study area consists of 12 typological units mapped based on field studies and interpretation of remote sensing data. It is noted that anthropogenically-modified landscapes are divided into three types according to vegetation associations: young growth of pine, raspberry-hipberry mixed herbaceous communities and ivanchai-grass meadows. Multitemporal Landsat images were analyzed to identify key stages of post-anthropogenic landscape dynamics. Maps of the main landscape cover types were compiled using the Semi-Automatic Classification Plagin plugin according to the Random Forest algorithm. A significant part of the village territory is characterized by poorly disturbed pine lingonberry forests with participation of birch on permafrost-taiga loamy soils. The most anthropogenically disturbed territories of private homestead plots consist of raspberry thickets with participation of willow-grass meadows and pine overgrowth on permafrost-taiga loamy soils. Using the images from 1986 to 2024, the stages of pine forest regeneration in the non-forested areas of the village were established. The study of post-anthropogenic dynamics allows us to understand how natural landscapes recover after the cessation of human activity. This contributes to the development of theoretical models of natural processes, the development of effective land resource strategies, and helps to predict further changes in rural landscapes.