Background: One of the key forest characteristics is the biodiversity, particularly the diversity of trees which are forest ecosystem engineers. Nowadays the most worldwide common approach for assessment of forest conditions and dynamics is based on the systematic monitoring, performed at a set of regularly structured plots. To fulfill the existing gap in this sort of knowledge on the Russian forests, an extensive study of tree species diversity on a regular network was conducted in north-west of Russia. Methods: The study used the ICP Forests monitoring network that spans over 1700 km along the western Russian border from forest-tundra in the north to broadleaved-coniferous forests in the south. Tree data were collected at 710 sites that were assigned along a regular grid. We performed series of statistical analyses of the tree species distribution and diversity in relation to environmental and anthropogenic factors. Results: According to the Maxent species distribution modelling results only Pinus sylvestris, Betula sp. and Picea abies have the potential to grow throughout the study area. The locally maximum tree species diversity varies along the latitudinal gradient from 1 to 3 species in the north to 5-7 species in the south. Monocultural stands are relatively abundant across the study area, being especially common in the south taiga. The prevailing part of the monocultural stands is represented by Scots pine (72%). The age distribution of dominant trees has a clear connection with the intensity of forest use. We found that recent wildfire events had only little effect on tree diversity in the study area. Conclusions: We demonstrated that ICP Forests monitoring network enables to successfully establish the main qualitative and quantitative relations of the spatial variation of tree species diversity to climatic, landscape, soil and anthropogenic factors. Analysis of the influence of these factors on tree species distribution allowed us to conclude that with the continuing trend of reducing the frequency and intensity of fires, Norway spruce will further replace Scots pine and Betula sp. in the north-western Russia. Extending the monitoring network, especially adding the time-series context, could provide novel appealing opportunities for forest dynamics projection and sustainable management.

Coatings on graphite with a high heat resistance at a temperature of 1400 ° C in an air atmosphere are prepared on the basis of the ZrB 2 -MoSi 2 -SiO 2 system. It is demonstrated that the sealing vitreous layer is formed through oxidation of the composite components. The kinetic analysis of oxidation processes of the ZrB 2 -MoSi 2 composite shows that the coating formation results from a set of concurrent and consecutive chemical reactions. The stages of forming the gas-impermeable layer are revealed, the schemes for oxidation reactions are proposed, and the kinetic parameters of reactions are determined.

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The concept of ecosystem services (ES) has aroused interest among researchers around the world with the growing anthropogenic pressure on natural ecosystems. The meaning of the concept is taking into consideration the ecosystem functions during making decisions and ensuring sustainable development. Mapping of ES is crucial for territorial representation of ecosystem services, spatial analysis, dynamic changes detection, relationships between ecosystem elements, etc. The goal of the study is to review global scientific literature of mapping ecosystem services at the local level. The paper describes the aims, input datasets, types of mapping, and methods of 19 scientific publications. A summary contains a brief description of the initial data and the methods used. Cartographic material has been prepared to show the research geography on a world map. The most popular groups of ecosystem services for scholars have been identified. More than 39% of the mapped ES belong to the regulating services. Global land cover and land use maps are often used as input data for modeling and mapping. Regression models and software-based models (InVEST, KINEROS, etc) are more frequent among the methods for the ES assessment and mapping. Specially protected natural areas, as well as vulnerable mountain, river, and coastal ecosystems are primary objects of research. The study of ES in Russia is also confined to protected areas. Mapping of ecosystem functions and services of local objects is mostly developed in European countries.