Globally, Siberia attracts the attention of environmentalists and researchers because of the extensive deposits of carbon in swamps and the permafrost soil — if it were to be released and enter the atmosphere, it would significantly exacerbate global warming.
Having said that, Siberia is one of the few regions of the world that is likely to benefit in the long term from global warming. If the permanent frost on its southern border disappears, and a part of the tundra becomes dry, there may be new areas with favorable conditions for agriculture and forestry (although arid zones are likely to become even drier). In addition, the possibilities for transport and infrastructure development will increase significantly.
Even now, dramatic shifts are taking place in the region’s ecosystem and other northern countries and territories will face similar changes in the near future.
The Trans-Siberian Scientific Way is well-positioned for establishing of an active and influential international research platform along the Ob River basin. The experience of Tomsk scientific groups and the equipment they have at their disposal allow research to be conducted at the cutting edge of science, and allow knowledge to be developed that is necessary to ensure the viability of northern regions around the world.
The Trans-Siberian Scientific Way practices a holistic approach to understanding the changes in Siberia’s ecosystem, developed by Professor Terrence Callaghan. It combines Monitoring (identification of changes), Manipulation (experiments that determine the reasons for change), Simulation (large- and small-scale monitoring and predictions of future changes), and Management. This approach ensures that future monitoring will allow assessment of the efficiency of any measures to manage ecosystems that may be introduced or which are already in place.
Here are a few tracks in the work of the Trans-Siberian Scientific Way:
1. Biogeochemical and landscape environmental studies in Siberia
Studies of the dynamics and functioning of natural ecosystems (including those resulting from climate change) under current conditions and in retrospect. The study of biogeochemical processes as well as socio-economic aspects of human activities in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of Siberia.
2. Studies of the flora and vegetation resources of Siberia
A study of the current state of flora, including identification and conservation of genetic and morphological diversity, and definition of the likely routes of migration of species due to climate changes in different geological eras. Assessment of the stock of plant resources in Siberia and the possibilities of their use in medicine, the food industry, gardening, and landscaping.
3. Studies of fauna and focuses of endemic diseases in Siberia
The study of the state condition, the distribution, and the dynamics of animals to solve the fundamental problems of identification and conservation of biodiversity. Development of methods for biological assessment of the environment and rational use of wild fauna resources. Comprehensive study of focuses of endemic diseases, and protection of the population in the breeding grounds of tick-borne infections.
4. Study and management of water resources in Siberia
Studies of Siberia’s bodies of water and possibilities of their use for fishing, fish farming, and development of aquaculture to provide food security. Development of projects for cleaning, and the technical and biological restoration of water bodies after pollution with petroleum products.
Leading Scientists
Terence V.Callaghan, Professor, Department of Botany at the Biological Institute
Anders Lindroth, Professor, Biological Institute
Oleg S. Pokrovskiy, Head of Laboratory, Biological Institute
Vladimir E. Romanovskiy, Professor, Biological Institute
Richard Everett Ernst, Professor, Geology and Geography Faculty of Tomsk State University
Sergey V. Nuzhdin, Professor, Biological Institute
Sergey N. Kirpotin, Professor, Biological Institute
Roberto Cazzollo Gatti, Assistant Professor, Biological Institute
Danil S. Vorobiev, Director, Biological Institute
Sergei P. Kulizhskiy, Professor, Biological Institute
Aleksandr S. Revushkin, Head, Department of Botany, Biological Institute
Aleksandr M. Adam, Head of Department, Biological Institute
Irina I. Gureeva, Professor, Department of Botany, Biological Institute
Aleksandr L. Ebel, Professor, Biological Institute
Sergei N. Vorobyev, Director, Scientific Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics
Tatyana P. Astafurova, Director, Siberian Botanical Garden
Gennady M. Tatiyanin, Dean, Faculty of Geology and Geography
Valery A. Zemtsov, Head, Department of Hydrology, Geology and Geography Faculty, Tomsk State University
Igor F. Gertner, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Geology and Geography
Platon A. Tishin, Director, Analytical Centre of Geochemistry of Natural Systems (centre for collective use).
Sergei V. Leshinskiy, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Geology and Geography
Vasiliy V. Vryblevsii, Senior Research Scientist, Geology and Geography Faculty
Yury G. Slizhov, Dean, Faculty of Chemistry
Victor V. Dyomin, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Radiophysics
Grigoriy E. Dunaevskiy, Head, Department of Radio Electronics at the Radiophysics Faculty
Ignatiy V. Samohvalov, Head, Department of Optoelectronic Systems and Remote Sounding at the Radiophysics Faculty
Vladimir P. Yakubov, Head, Department of Radiophysics, Radiophysics Faculty
Sergei A. Kolesnik, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Radiophysics
Institutions and Centres
Centre for Research into Biota, Climate and Landscapes (BioClimLand)
Website:
http://en.science.tsu.ru/centers/research-into-biota-climate-and-landscape/
Biological Institute
Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics
Faculty of Geology and Geography
Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry
Optoelectronic systems and remote sensing, Faculty of Radiophysics
Radiophysics Department, Faculty of Radiophysics
International Research Stations Aktru, Kaybasovo, Khanymey
Website:
http://en.science.tsu.ru/units/research-stations/
The Siberian Botanical Garden
I. K. Bagenov Mineralogical Museum
Krylov Herbarium Website:
http://herbarium.tsu.ru/herb/?cat=178&lang=en.
Zoological Museum
Education
Biological Sciences
Innovative Technologies in the Agricultural Sector
Ecology and Environmental Management
“Siberian and Arctic Studies” Master’s program (new)
The program is aimed at training highly qualified specialists in natural sciences with a wide range of knowledge about the natural environment of Siberia and the Arctic Region and a good command of modern methods of environmental studies and the methodology of scientific research. The programne is aimed at inter- and transdisciplinary studying of the uniqueness and the global importance of the megaregion of Siberia. The program is characterized by the presence of a developed research infrastructure (research laboratories, field research stations in Aktru, Kaybasovo, and Hanim). The students and the lecturers are expected to participate in major scientific and educational network programs and projects, such as INTERACT, the Russian-French International Scientific Association (МНО) CAR-WET-SIB, TEMPUS EC, and others. The new master's program “Reclamation and Bioremediation of Soils and Water Bodies” The master's programme provides students with professional knowledge in the fields of: reclamation of soil contaminated as a result of man-made and natural disasters; restoration of the natural productivity of water bodies and agricultural systems; and reclamation of lands disturbed during construction of linear structures. The professional training of the Master's degree students will enable them to work in leading positions in research institutions, environmental departments of large industrial companies, design and survey departments, bureaus, centres, companies and other ecology and nature institutions. The Master's programme is aimed at potential employers: Oblkomprirody, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Tomsk Region, federal and regional bodies of environmental protection, research and design institutes (TomskNIPINeft, TomskTISIz, IMCES SB RAS, Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, etc.), industrial companies (Rosneft, LUKOIL, Tomskneftekhim, Tomskgaz, SCC, etc.).
Geographical Sciences
Geoecology and Hydro-climatic Resources
Earth Sciences (postgraduate study)
Mining Geology Historical and Regional Geology
Groundwork for Scientific Projects
Biogeochemical cycles in the arctic swamp and lake landscapes of West Siberia as an indicator of global climate change and as a basis for rational nature management in the region (BIO-GEO-CLIM). Mega-grant from the Russian Government under Resolution No.220. Amount of financing in 2013-2016: 118 million RUB. [http://biogeoclim.tsu.ru/en/laboratory] A case study of the boreal region of Western Siberia enabled critical information to be obtained for a quantitative prediction of the direction and magnitude of changes in biogeochemical flux of substances under conditions of global warming.
Leader: Oleg Sergeyevich Pokrovskiy, Head of the TSU Laboratory of biogeochemical and remote methods of environmental monitoring, senior research scientist of the Midi-Pyrénées Observatory, coordinator of the United European Environmental Geochemistry lab (LEA LEAGE).
Networks and International Partners
INTERACT eu-interact.org/
NEON
www.neonscience.org/about/
PEEX
www.atm.helsinki.fi/peex/
Kew
www.kew.org/
CALM
www.gwu.edu/~calm/
ITEX
http://ibis.geog.ubc.ca/itex/
SAON
www.arcticobserving.org/
UArctic
http://www.uarctic.org
IPA
http://ipa.arcticportal.org/
Russian-French Research and Education Centre “Environment, Biosphere, Climate Change”
Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Georgetown University,
University of California,
Princeton University,
Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées,
France National Centre for Scientific Research,
France Institute of Geophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences Swedish
University of Agricultural Sciences,
National Institute of Polar Research, Japan
Russian and Regional Partners
Russian Geographical Society,
The Northern Forum,
Siberian Research Institute of Geology, Geophysics and Mineral Resources,
Central Siberian Botanical Garden of the SB RAS,
RAS Institute for Biological Instrumentation with a pilot production plant,
Altai Research Institute of Bioresources and Aquaculture,
Institute for Water and Environmental Problems of the SB RAS,
Research Institute of Fishery Waters Ecology,
Institute for Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry of the SB RAS
Institute of Forest named after V.N. Sukachev
Siberian Research Institute of Agriculture and Turf,
Siberian Research Institute of Crop Science and Breeding,
Institute of Catalysis named after G. K. Boreskov,
Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences,
The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor),
Gazpromneft-NNGGF JSC, Krasnoyarskgeolsyomka JSC,
Krasnoyarskgeologiya JSC,
Norilskgeologiya LLC,
MIF Eco-centre LLC, Artelstarateley “Tal” LLC (Rep. of Sakha),
Sibgeokonsalting LLC,
Primorgeologiya JSC,
Institute of High Current Electronics of the TSC SB RAS,
Research Institute of Medical Genetics of the TSC RAMS,
Institute of Cardiology of the TSC SB RAMS,
Altai Research Institute of Bioresources and Aquaculture,
Institute for Water and Environmental Problems of the SB RAS,
Research Institute of Fishery Waters Ecology, Cancer Research Institute of the SB RAS,
Pharmacology Research Institute of the SB RAS,
Health Resorts and Physiotherapy Research Institute of the RF Ministry of Health,
Seversk Biophysical Research Centre of FMBA of Russia,
Nord Imperial LLC,
TSU Research and Experimental Breeding Nursery LLC
