Analysis and prediction of the environmental consequences of urbanization

The environmental consequences of urbanization include irreversible changes in the quality of atmospheric air, surface water, soils and green spaces. RUDN scientists are conducting research on the prediction of the impact of urbanization on the state of the environment on the example of the territory of New Moscow, where rapid urbanization is expected over an area of more than 1,500 square kilometres. The study includes analysis, assessment and forecasting of changes in the quality of soils, water and air, ecological functions and ecosystem services for various urbanization scenarios in the territory of New Moscow. The results are in demand for planning sustainable development of urbanized areas.

Analysis, assessment and mapping of ecological functions and ecosystem services of urban forests

Urban forests in the composition of modern cities play a key role in the sustainable development of ecosystems, providing such functions and services as air purification, climate formation, biodiversity conservation. Analysis, assessment and mapping of ecological functions and ecosystem services of urban forests are necessary for planning their rational use. The studies include integrated methods of soil-ecological and geobotanical surveys, work with GIS (Geological Information System) and remote sensing. The objects of research are specially protected natural territories in Moscow, Kursk and Tver regions.

Monitoring the ecological functions of soil constructions to create sustainable lawn ecosystems

Along with decorative functions, urban lawns play an important role in the filtration of surface waters, the absorption of fine dust, the deposition of carbon. City lawns have a high anthropogenic load. Analysis of the composition, properties and modes of soil structures is necessary to ensure the sustainable functioning of urban lawn ecosystems. Methods include monitoring the emission of greenhouse gases, analyzing the dynamics of the hydrothermal regime of the soil, analyzing the biomass, chemical and biological properties of the soil, mathematical modelling of material flows, heat and moisture.

Cultural layers of cities: an analysis of environmental functions and risk prediction

Cultural layers - anthropogenic sediments accumulated over a long period of urban life. Along with high historical and cultural significance, cultural layers play an important and hitherto insufficiently studied role in the biogeochemical processes of urban ecosystems — carbon sequestration, accumulation of pollutants, and the formation of specific living conditions of microorganisms. Possessing considerable power, cultural layers create a technogenic lithological basis of cities. The analysis of their properties and functions is necessary for assessing and predicting geo-ecological risks and understanding the role of technogenic sediments in regional and global processes. Cultural layers as an object of study are located at the junction of archaeology, urban ecology, soil science and engineering ecology. Methods include field surveys, integrated soil analysis.