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Founded in 1930

The department was headed by Professor A.A. Borzov (1930-1939), Professor A.I. Solovyov (1939-1949), Professor N.A.Solntsev (1950-1955), Professor M.A. Glazovskaya (1955-1959), Professor N.A. Gvozdetsky (1959-1987).

Since 1987 the Department is headed by Corresponding Member of Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Geography, Professor Kirill Nikolayevich Dyakonov.

Teaching and research staff
Professors:
Dyakonov K.N., Corresponding Member of Russian Academy of Sciences , Doctor of Geography (landscape geophysics, landscape dynamics and evolution, dendrochronology, land reclamation);
Syssuyev V.V., Doctor of Geography (landscape geochemistry, landscape biogeophysics, geosystem modeling, forest landscape planning);
Reteyum A.Yu., Doctor of Geography (general Earth science, climate changes, environmental management, environmental impact assessment).

Associate Professors:
Avessalomova I.A., Ph. D. (Geography) (landscape geochemistry, biogeochemistry, anthropoecology);
Ivanov A.N. Ph. D. (Geography) (landscape structure and dynamics, island geosystems, natural protected areas);
Kozlov D.N. Ph. D. (Geography) (landscape modeling, geoinformation science and remote sensing, agricultural planning, land cover changes);
Petrushina M.N. Ph. D. (Geography) (landscape dynamics and evolution, mountainous landscapes);
Khoroshev A.V. Ph. D. (Geography) (landscape structure, landscape planning, natural protected areas);
Kharitonova T.I. Ph. D. (Geography) (landscape dynamics, land reclamation).

Senior lecturers:
Mironenko I.V. (landscape dynamics, landscape mapping).

Leading researchers:
Nizovtsev V.A. Ph. D. (Geography) (historical landscapes, landscape archaeology);
Chizhova V.P. Ph. D. (Geography) (recreation geography, natural protected areas, landscape planning);
Snytko V.A., Corresponding Member of Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Geography (landscape dynamics, history of physical geography);
Linnik V.G. Doctor of Geography (landscape modeling, radioecology);
Novenko E.Yu. Ph. D. (Geography) (palaeogeography, landscape evolution).

Senior researchers:
Kalutskov V.N. Doctor of Geography (ethnocultural landscape studies);
Khrustaleva M.A. Ph. D. (Geography) (landscape geochemistry, analytical methods);
Samoylova G.S. Ph. D. (Geography) (mountainous landscapes, environmental impact assessment);
Shcherbakova L.N. Ph. D. (Geography) (landscape structure, land use).

Researchers:
Bochkarev Yu. N. Ph. D. (Geography) (dendrochronology, landscape dynamics).

Junior researchers:
Merekalova K.A. (landscape structure).

Profile of graduates
Bachelor degree – 4 years
Title of course: Physical Geography and Landscape Science
Graduate degree: Bachelor of Physical Geography and Landscape Science

Master degree – 2 years for bachelors
Educational Master Program: “Physical Geography and Landscape Science”
Graduate degree: Master of Physical Geography and Landscape Science

Career opportunities
Educational programs provide professional skills in landscape science and landscape ecology both in theoretical and applied fields of knowledge. Particular focus on study and modelling matter, water and energy cycles in a landscape is an important part of education. Graduates can work in companies specialized in ecological projecting, ecological examination, environmental impact assessment, landscape design, territorial and urban planning, in scientific departments of natural protected areas, as well as in research institutions of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Main courses\Curriculum

Theoretical basics of Landscape science, Landscape mapping, Methods of field and laboratory research, Data analysis, Landscape indication, Landscape dynamics and functioning, Landscape geochemistry, Landscape geophysics, Physical Geography of Russia and landscape protection, Landscape biogeophysics and biogeochemistry, Anthropogenic landscapes, Physical and mathematical basics of landscape science, Geosystem modeling, Problems of physical geography, Actual issues of geography. Territorial issues of nature protection, Ethnocultural and historical landscape studies, Environmental monitoring, Environmental impact assessment and environment-friendly technologies, Landscape planning and Engineering geography, Geographical issues in recreation management, Ecological economics, Environmental management. Marine and Island Ecology, Mountainous Landscapes, Anthropoecology, Radioecology, Forest Landscape Ecology, Dendrochronology, Palaeogeographical Factors in Contemporary Landscapes.

Fields of Research: landscape structure, functioning, dynamics and evolution; landscape geochemistry, landscape geophysics, landscape ecology, general earth science, ecological modeling, mountainous landscape, island geosystems, dendrochronology, palaeolandscapes, landscape planning, environmental impact assessment, environmental management, natural protected areas, ecological networks, forest and agricultural planning, recreation geography, historical and ethnocultural landscape studies.

Main accomplished research: physical-geographical regionalization of the former USSR; theory of landscape morphology; methodology of landscape and landscape-ecological mapping; classification of natural and natural-anthropogenic landscapes; methodology of landscape dynamics studies; theory and methods of palaeolandscape studies using dendrochronology, spore-and-pollen analysis; physical and mathematical basics of landscape studies; methodology of remote sensing based techniques for landscape mapping, landscape maps and reviews of landscape structure for regions of Russia (the Caucasus, the Urals, the Altay, the Sayan, West Siberia, Moscow region, Ryazan region, Kostroma region etc.); methodology of landscape approach to land reclamation, forest planning, agricultural planning, environmental impact assessment; projects of regional ecological networks (Kostroma region); management plans and landscape maps for nature reserves and national parks of Russia.

Future research activities: theory of geosystem modeling, theory and methodology of landscape-ecological planning and mapping; methodology of forecasting chain reactions in a landscape; theory of island geosystems; methodology of landscape approach to territorial planning; methodology of mapping landscape dynamics; landscape-based criteria for ecological networks; methodology of remote sensing techniques for landscape monitoring; textbook in contemporary landscape science.

Scientific and educational contacts and communications. Our department collaborates with Institutes of Russian Academy of Sciences (Institute of Geography, Institute of Soil Science, Institute of Geoecology, Institute of Geochemistry, Institute of Problems of Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Water and Ecological Problems, Institute of Steppe, Sochava Institute of Geography of Siberian Branch), Institutes of Urban Planning, nature reserves (“Centralno-Lesnoy”, “Centralno-Chernozyomny”, “Kavkazsky”, “Orenburgsky”, “Dalnevostochny”, “Komandorsky”, “Kologrivsky Les”, “Katunsky” etc.) and national parks (“Sochinsky”, “Alaniya”, “Zabaykalsky”, “Kurshskaya Kosa”, “Smolenskoye Poozerye”, “Vodlozersky”. “Kenozersky”, “Valdaysky” etc.) of Russia, National Olympic Committee, Environment Resource Management company, “Verkhovye” Foundation, regional universities (Smolensk, Kaliningrad, Kostroma, Ryazan, Gorno-Altaysk, Tomsk, Tyumen etc.), Centre for Wild Nature Protection, World Wildlife Foundation, Greenpeace.

International relations: International Association for Landscape Ecology, Komenius University in Bratislava (Slovakia), Warsaw University (Poland), Leibniz Institute for Ecological and Urban Research (Germany), ALTERRA institute (the Netherlands), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lviv University (Ukraine), University of Avila (Spain), University of South Bohemia (Czech Republic), University of Leeds (UK).

Major publications

Avessalomova I.A. Landscape Biogeochemistry, Moscow, 2007. 162 p. (In Russian);

Avessalomova I.A., Petrushina M.N., Khoroshev A.V. Mountain landscapes: structure and dynamics. Moscow University Press, Moscow, 2002, 124 p. (In Russian) ;

Chizhova V.P. Recreational landscapes: stability, norming, management. Smolensk, Oikumena, 2011. 176 p. (In Russian);

Dmitruk N.G., Nizovtsev V.A., Vasilyev S.V. Methodics of teaching geography. Moscow, Academia, 2012. 320 p. (In Russian);

Dyakonov K.N. Landscape Geophysics (balance method). Moscow University Press, Moscow, 1988, 116 p. (In Russian);

Dyakonov K.N., Doncheva A.V. Ecological Planning and Ecological Expertise. Aspect Press, Moscow. 2002. 384 p. (In Russian);

Dyakonov K.N., Kasimov N.S., Khoroshev A.V., Kushlin A.V. (eds) Landscape analysis for sustainable development. Theory and applications of landscape science in Russia. Alex Publishers, Moscow, 2007;

Dyakonov K.N., Kotlyakov V.M., Kharitonova T.I. (Eds.). Horizons of Landscape Science. Moscow, Kodeks, 2014. 488 p. (In Russian);

Ivanov A.N. Ornithogenic geosystems of the Northern Pacific. Moscow, Nauchny Mir, 2013. 228 p. (In Russian);

Ivanov A.N., Chizhova V.P. Natural protected areas. Moscow, 2010. 184 p. (In Russian);

Kalutskov V.N. 2011. Ethnocultural Landscape Studies. Moscow University Press, Moscow. 112 p. (In Russian);

Kalutskov V.N. Geography of Russia. Moscow. Yurait, 2015. 347 p. (In Russian);

Khoroshev A.V., Nemchinova A.V, Avdanin V.O. Landscapes and ecological network of the Kostroma region. Kostroma Univ Publ House, Kostroma, 2013. (in Russian);

Mamay I.I. (Ed.). Landscape studies (Development of ideas of N.A. Solntsev on contemporary landscape science). Moscow, Smolensk, Oikumena, 2013. 330 p. (In Russian);

Mamay I.I. Dynamics and Functioning of Landscapes. Moscow University Press, Moscow. 2005.138 p. (In Russian);

Nikolayev V.A. The Landscapes of Asian Steppes. Moscow University Press, Moscow. 1999.288 p. (In Russian);

Nikolayev V.A. Landscape Science: Aesthetics and Design. Aspect Press, Moscow. 2003.176 p. (In Russian);

Nikolayev V.A. Landscape Science. Moscow University Press, Moscow, 2006, 94 p. (In Russian);

Nikolayev V.A., Syssuyev V.V., Kopyl I.V. Natural-anthropogenic landscapes: forest and agricultural landscapes. Moscow, 2007. 158 p.;

Nikolayev V.A., Avessalomova I.A., Chizhova V.P. Natural-anthropogenic landscapes: urban, recreational, park. Moscow, 2011. 112 p. (In Russian);

Nikolayev V.A., Kazakov L.K., Ukraintseva N.G. Natural-anthropogenic landscapes: industrial and transport geotechnical systems, geoecological foundations of landscape design. Moscow, 2013. 88 p. (In Russian);

Petrushina M.N., Samoylova G.S., Shcherbakova L.N., Khoroshev A.V., Ivanov A.N. Physical geography of Russia and neighbouring countries. Moscow, 2013. 152 p.;

Puzachenko Yu.G. 2004. Mathematical Methods in Ecological and Geographical Studies. Academia, Moscow. 416 p. (In Russian);

Puzachenko Yu.G., Dyakonov K.N. and Aleshchenko G.M. 2002. Landscape diversity and methods of its measuring. In: Geography and Monitoring of Biodiversity. MSU Ecocenter, Moscow. P. 76-177 http://de.msu.ru/~vart/doc/gef/book2.html (In Russian);

Solnetsev N.A. 1948. The natural geographic landscape and some of its general rules. In: Wiens J.A., Moss M.R., Turner M.G., Mladenoff D.J. (Eds.) Fundamental papers in landscape ecology. Columbia University Press, New York, 2006. pp. 19-27 ;

Syssuyev V.V. Ecological norming and monitoring. Moscow, 2014. 162 p.;

Syssuyev V.V. Physical and Mathematical Foundations of Landscape Science. Moscow University Press, Moscow, 2003, 245 p. (In Russian)