Corvidae represent one of the most prominent and adaptable groups of urban avifauna. Their high abundance, ecological plasticity, and ability to adapt to anthropogenic landscapes significantly influence the biocenoses of urbanized areas, highlighting the relevance of their study. The aim of this study is to analyze the nesting preferences of rooks (Corvus frugilegus Linnaeus, 1758) in selecting nesting sites across various types of urban development in the city of Kostanay and the stages of their nesting period. Observations were conducted on trial sites that included three categories of territories: residential areas, park areas, and suburban areas. During the research, the number of nests, their location, height, utilized tree species, and timing of nesting stages, from nest construction to fledging of chicks, were recorded. Of the 74 registered nests, 39.2% were located in residential areas, while 60.8% were found in parks. No nests were identified in suburban areas. The majority of nests (87.8%) were inhabited. The primary nesting substrates were tall poplars, with rarer occurrences of pines and birches. A trend was noted towards selecting trees with well-developed crowns, with nest heights averaging around 15 m. The results indicate a preference among rooks for specific types of urban development and tree species for nesting in the city of Kostanay, which can be utilized in developing management strategies for corvid populations and conserving biodiversity in urban ecosystems.

In the context of climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressure, the study of avian biodiversity is an important tool for ecological monitoring. Despite a long history of ornithological research in the Kostanay Region, primarily focused on the Naursum Nature Reserve, the winter avifauna of steppe areas, including the depressions in the relief, remains poorly studied. The aim of this study is to analyze the species composition and structure of the winter avifauna in depression biotopes (logs) within the forb-feather grass steppe in the Karabalyk District, Kostanay Region. The research was conducted from December to February (winter 2024-2025) in three different biotopes (Toguzakskiy Log, Ovrag Sukhoy, Log Bolshoy) using route surveys based on the methodology of Yu.S. Ravkin (routes ≥5 km, without transect width restrictions). During the observations, significant differences in species structure and dominant avifauna complexes were established between the biotopes, associated with a complex of factors (food resources, nesting sites, etc.). The dominant families included: Calcaridae Ridgway, 1901, with a share of 25%; Paridae Vigors, 1825, – 18%; Phasianidae Horsfield, 1821; Fringillidae Leach, 1820, – each at 11%. The limiting factors influencing the formation of winter avifauna in the studied biotopes are discussed.

This article is dedicated to Anatoly P. Kaledin, a distinguished scientist, professor, Academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences (RAEN), Honored Ecologist of the Russian Federation, and member of the Writers’ Union of Russia. For many years, Professor Kaledin served as a specialist and supervisor in hunting and fishing organizations within the Rosokhotrybolovsoyuz system. He was also a respected member of the editorial boards for several prominent hunting and scientific publications, including the journals “Food Processing: Techniques and Technology,” “Bulletin of Hunting,” and “Okhota i okhotnichye khozyaystvo,” as well as the almanac “Okhotnichi prostory.” Professor Kaledin dedicated a significant portion of his career to scientific research, notably at the Department of Zoology of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy. His primary scientific interests encompassed game management, history, regional studies, phenology, resource science, nature management, and biodiversity conservation.

As part of the monitoring of non-game fauna in the Kemerovo Region, surveys of the relative abundance of small mammals were conducted in both natural and anthropogenically disturbed habitats. Captures were performed using pitfall traps and Sherman live traps. The study revealed the existence of two isolated populations of the herb field mouse, Apodemus uralensis (Pallas, 1811). A total of 34 individuals of the species were captured. In wastelands and disturbed grass-forb meadows on the southeastern outskirts of Kemerovo City, the herb field mouse is one of the dominant species in the small mammal community. In the southern part of the Kuznetsk Basin, it was found in two adjacent forest reclamation sites established on former opencast coal mines. In 40-year-old mosaic plantings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), and silver birch (Betula pendula), the abundance of A. uralensis was 1.2 individuals/100 cylinder-days, while in Cedar-Pine-Maple-Poplar plantings of the same age, it was 2 individuals/100 cylinder-days. The species' share in the community was 11.4% and 3.8%, respectively. A revision of the osteological collection of mammals at the Kemerovo State University, which includes over 3,000 specimens of mice Apodemus and Mus collected from 35 locations in the Kuznetsk-Salair Mountain region, failed to identify any other findings of the herb field mouse apart from those mentioned above. Within the Kuznetsk Basin, A. uralensis inhabits anthropogenically disturbed areas as isolated populations, forming zones of sympatry with other mouse species: the field mouse, the East Asian mouse, and the house mouse. Given the expansion of Kemerovo City boundaries and construction in the habitats of the herb field mouse, a situation has arisen where one of the reliably existing populations is at risk of disappearing from the region's fauna.

This review article presents research findings concerning the development and practical application of modern bioadhesives for critical agricultural processes. Specifically, it details their use in pre-sowing seed treatment of various agricultural crops and for foliar spraying of plants across different growth stages. The article highlights the demonstrated efficacy of bioregulators and protective-stimuling complexes, which were developed at the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy. Furthermore, it explores the significant potential for expanding the area of treated crops through the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in agricultural practices.

Green spaces play a crucial role in the ecological framework of cities, creating a favorable environment for the population through diverse sanitary-hygienic, aesthetic, and recreational functions provided by the plant cover. The overall character of the woody and shrub flora in urban areas is reflected in its taxonomic structure. While studies exist on the dendroflora of Moscow and its specific areas, contemporary research focusing on the woody flora of large forest tracts within the city is scarce. The aim of this study was to synthesize data on the current species composition and analyze the taxonomic structure of the dendroflora of the Forest Experimental Station of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy. The actual floristic list of trees and shrubs was compiled using materials from the inventory of forest stands on permanent sample plots spanning the period from 2000 to 2025, as well as data from route surveys conducted during the growing seasons of 2019-2025. Data exports from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and the iNaturalist platform were also utilized to synthesize information on the modern dendroflora. The research revealed that the dendroflora comprises 106 species belonging to 50 genera and 19 families. The leading families by number of species are: Rosaceae Juss. (26 species); Sapindaceae Juss. (12 species); Salicaceae Mirb. (10 species); Pinaceae Lindl. (9 species); and Caprifoliaceae Juss. (8 species). The significant impact of anthropogenic factors and the resulting transformation of the dendroflora are evidenced by the clear predominance of alien species (69%) over native ones (31%). In the distribution of species by life forms within the native dendroflora, trees account for 52%, and shrubs for 48% of the total number of species. In the alien dendroflora, the proportion of trees is slightly higher (59%), with shrubs constituting 41% of the species.

This paper explores a novel approach to university education, driven by the increasing technological sophistication and modernization of the educational process in higher education, as well as the need to address objectives set forth by the Priority-2030 project. It is recognized that mastering modern biotechnologies is impossible without proficiency in English, the primary language of international science. However, traditional education often segregates "language" and "disciplinary content." The proposed approach bridges this gap by integrating the study of biotechnological systems through English for Specific Purposes. This method is expected to foster a deep understanding of contemporary biotechnological processes. Digitalization of higher education, along with the imperative to develop the creative potential of each learner, has prompted a search for innovative teaching formats, methodological approaches, and cost-effective solutions to achieve project objectives. Considering that trainees choose educational programs based on their interests and abilities, their professional training and acquired skills should be tailored to individual needs while simultaneously meeting labor market demands and future employment opportunities. The authors aim to substantiate the use of this new concept, outlining the theoretical foundations underpinning the proposed approach, describing its advantages, providing examples of new-format assignments, and demonstrating its economic viability for implementation in an agricultural university. The results of the pilot phase of the experiment, involving 28 students, are presented, showcasing its effectiveness both in achieving educational objectives and enhancing the competitiveness of future graduates in the labor market.

The article analyzes the main quantitative indicators of the bird population in the cities of the southern (Podolsk, Chekhov, Serpukhov) and southeastern Moscow Region (Ramenskoe, Voskresensk, Kolomna). The study presents the bird abundance across all seasons, describes the type of population dynamics observed, identifies the dominant species throughout the year, and examines the seasonal variation in species richness.

This study analyzes data from 120 recoveries of Eurasian Coot rings, which were banded between 1945 and 1977 in the North Caucasus and Southern Russia, sourced from the Bird Ringing Centre. Using GIS analysis and statistical methods, the main directions and extent of migratory movements were identified. These findings are presented cartographically using the Google Earth Pro Geographic Information System. The circumstances surrounding the ring recoveries are also discussed.

This study investigated the reproductive performance of Bufotes boulengeri. The material analyzed consisted of egg clutches obtained under laboratory conditions from toads of varying ages, ranging from 2 to 7 years. The mean fecundity of female Boulenger's toads was determined to be 2489.4 ± 152.9 eggs (range: 484-4816). The highest fecundity was recorded for 4-year-old females, averaging 3507.6 ± 272.9 eggs. The period of high reproductive activity appears to be between 3 and 6 years of age, after which fecundity declines. Although the egg diameter and egg string width showed variation, no clear age-related trends could be established for these parameters.

One of the most significant challenges in poultry slaughter product manufacturing remains the risk of contamination of poultry carcasses and internal organs with pathogenic and opportunistic microflora. This contamination poses a threat to human health, leading to toxic infections and toxicosis. Therefore, the primary objective of veterinary specialists is to ensure the microbiological safety of chicken by-products to prevent the entry of foodborne disease-causing microorganisms. This study presents data on the microbiological indicators of chilled and frozen poultry by-products. It was established that no pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria of the genus Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, were detected in any of the analyzed chicken by-product samples (liver, heart, muscular stomach). Furthermore, QMA&OAMO (KMAFAnM) conformed to the requirements of EAEU TR 051/2021 "On the Safety of Poultry Meat and Processed Poultry Products." However, during the examination of frozen chicken liver samples, the growth of coliform bacteria was observed on Endo selective-diagnostic medium, which is unacceptable. This finding highlights the necessity of conducting such microbiological analyses to ensure the safety of poultry by-products at all stages of production, processing, storage, and sale within the poultry processing industry.