Ecology and Biological Resources of Melliferous Plants in the Vasyugan Plain and their Importance for the Arctic Belt

Abstract

Searching for mineral and energy resources in various regions of the Arctic basin has revealed the presence of huge reserves of oil, gas and other extractable resources. The coast of the Arctic Ocean, i.e. the European and the Asian north of Russia turns into the region of active economic development.Population migration flows into these regions will increase every year. People will move from the favorable climatic conditions to the extreme conditions of the Arctic. The harsh conditions of the Arctic are particularly heavy for the weather sensitive people with increased excitability of the central nervous system.In the extreme weather conditions, food is the most important means of organism protection. Therefore, a balanced diet is the most important means of human adaptation in the northern latitudes, with bee-farming products playing a huge role [4, 7].The Great Vasyugan swamp is the largest swamp with the area of 53,000 km2. It covers the Ob-and-Irtysh watershed, and stretches within 55040ʹ–58060ʹ N and 75030ʹ–83030ʹ E; its southern border stretches 573 km from the right bank of the Irtysh River to the left bank of the Ob River. From the southern border to the north, the swamp stretches for 320 km. In this area, there are huge reserves of peat, which make over 61% of the total stock in Russia. Among the swamp, there are islands, i.e. spaces not occupied by swamps and lakes, and covered with forest and grass [2].In the Tsarist times, the Vasyugan swamp was considered unsuitable for agriculture. Development of this region started after the October revolution. People grew gray cereals, fodder crops, potatoes, and vegetables. In this area, local horse breed named “narymka” was bred.After the Great Patriotic war, the Vasyugan Plain, or the Narym territory was deserted. Settlements were removed, and bushes and grass started growing in their place.Currently, the Great state program for studying the Narym territory has been started for using these areas to grow agricultural products to be supplied to the population of the Arctic Belt.