Research Institute of Applied Ecology of the North, Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Russia:

G. N. Savvinov, Director, Doctor of Biological Sciences, g.n.savvinov@mail.ru
D. D. Savvinov, Chief Researcher, Doctor of Biological Sciences

The article tracks the history of initiation of the applied ecology as the interdisciplinary science to investigate people and environment interaction in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The discovery of large deposits of gold, diamonds, coal, oil and gas in Yakutia and development of the regional mining industry invoked jump-wise increase in the man-made load on natural ecosystems and even induced irreversible alteration of primary components of the ecosystems of the North. As a consequence, in the 1990s, it appeared urgent to establish a special scientific institution aimed to solve environmental issues in the mining areas in Yakutia. That was the Institute of Applied Ecology of the North affiliated in the North-Eastern Federal University. The key subjects of the integrated environmental research undertaken by the Institute are the areas that are most exposed to mining-induced impact in the basins of the rivers Lena, Aldan, Vilyui and Anabar. A peculiar place is given to the studies of industrial regions in the Southern and Southwestern Yakutia where construction of a number of mines is now in process. The Institute takes an active part in ecological supervision of the largest investment projects in the Republic. For example, Talakan and Chayanda hydrocarbon reservoirs, Elginsk coking coal deposit, Nakyn kimberlite field, diamond placer at the mid-reach of the Anabar River, Elkon uranide deposit; or construction of Eastern Siberia–Pacific Ocean oil main and Tommot–Kerdem–Yakutsk trunk railway. At the present time, Yakutia initiates a new stage of industrial growth associated with the development of hydrocarbon resources of the continental shelf in the northern seas of Russia and with the commencement of mining at the large rare earth metal deposit of Tomtor. All these activities will end in heavy production-induced intervention in the natural systems on the Arctic shelf and adjacent lands. Prevention of potential ecological damage calls for amplification of applied research and elaboration of top-priority nature-conservative measures at the mentioned Institute.

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