The purpose of this study was to analyze the ecogeographical distribution of poisonous plants in floristic regions of Kazakhstan and identify the effect of arid conditions on their distribution. In total, the 51 most toxic vascular plant species belonging to 34 families were identified in the republic. Cartographic analysis showed that the lesser part of these species are confined to plain floristic regions in northern deserts; while mountain steppe regions have the greater part of toxic species. The largest numbers of poisonous plant species were recorded in the following floristic regions: Western Tien Shan, Tarbagatai, and Altai; the smallest numbers, in Mangyshlak, Northern and Southern Ustyurt, and Buzachi.

Using biogeographic approaches, the mapping of protected species of terrestrial vertebrates in the Republic of Kazakhstan was analyzed and carried out to identify places of high faunal diversity and assess the effectiveness of their protection by a network of specially protected natural areas. An analysis was made of the spatial distribution of protected species of terrestrial vertebrates by taxonomic groups (mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, 109 species in total) and their totality, as well as by protection status; places of concentration of protected species of vertebrate animals were established as priority for the protection of territories in the Republic of Kazakhstan and an assessment was made of the effectiveness of locating the existing network of specially protected natural areas. The maps were made using the grid mapping method, which makes it possible to compare the results obtained with other arid macroregions. The role of a number of reserves, national parks, and large reserves in the protection of biological diversity is shown. Recommendations for the development of a network of specially protected natural areas in order to preserve areas of high biodiversity, as well as the tasks of further research in this direction have been formulated and substantiated.

Poisonous plants are a collective group of plants of various systematic categories that contain phytotoxins that pose a potential danger to humans and animals. A number of publications both in Russia and abroad are devoted to the problem of patterns of distribution of plants hazardous to human health in connection with environmental factors. This work is a continuation of research into the spread of plants dangerous to humans in Russia. The aim of this work is ecological and geographical analysis of poisonous plants distribution in biomes of the Far East in Russia. Resulted from the research work on the territory of the far-eastern biomes of Russia we revealed 87 the most toxic vascular plant species that belong to 21 plant families. Some of the most poisonous plants of the Russian flora are plants of the genus Aconitum, of the family (Ranunculaceae). About 70 species of this genus grow in Russia, of which 40 are found only in the Far East, since this territory is considered the center of botanical diversity of the genus in question. The cartographical analysis showed that the highest number of poisonous plant species could be found in the south-east regions – in Primorye, the basin of Ussuri river, in the lower and middle course of the river Amur. Based on a map of Russian biomes, optimal habitats for poisonous plants were identified. Maximum number of Aconitum species, as the most poisonous genus of Russian flora, is in the mountain biomes and in the plain forest-steppe biomes in the Amur basin. The types of ecosystems with the maximum abundance and diversity of poisonous plants have been identified. The species richness distribution shows the concentration of poisonous plant species in small mountain biomes and in arid-like biomes. Correlation analysis of relationships between the number of plant species and climatic factors revealed the significant closeness of the correlation with the average annual air temperature (0,66). Maximum correlation closeness appeared to be between number of poisonous plant species per 10 000 km 2 and total number of vascular plants per 10 000 km 2 (0,81).

This article analyzes a set of species of allergenic plants in the lowland biomes of Russia. Their species diversity was revealed, a statistical analysis of the relationships between the number of allergenic plant species in regional biomes and climatic indicators was carried out, and the corresponding maps were built and their analysis was given. It is shown that the distribution of the number of allergenic plant species in the spring reflects their clear predominance in broad-leaved forest and forest-steppe biomes, while in the summer allergenic plants predominate in forest-steppe and steppe biomes. The closest positive relationship has been established between the number of allergenic plant species that bloom in the summer and the average annual air temperature, as well as between all allergenic plant species and the average annual air temperature. However, the relationship between the number of allergenic plant species in the biome and the aridity index turned out to be low.

The article analyzes a set of species of allergenic and poisonous plants in arid and semiarid biomes of Russia. The species diversity of allergenic and poisonous plants was determined. A statistical analysis of the relationships between the number of species of allergenic and poisonous plants in regional biomes and climatic indicators is carried out, the corresponding thematic schematic maps are constructed, and they are analyzed. It is shown that the number of species of allergenic and poisonous plants is related to the total species number in biomes. This, in turn, is determined by the geographic location, which determines the average annual temperature and amount of precipitation in the regions. The closest established relationship is between the number of species of allergenic and poisonous plants and the average annual air temperatures. A relatively high relationship was found between the species number and the average annual precipitation. However, the relationship between the total number of dangerous plant species in the biome and the aridity index turned out to be low.

The article analyzes a set of medicinal-plant species in arid and semiarid biomes of Russia. The species diversity of medicinal plants in general, as well as those used to treat diseases of various classes, is determined. A statistical analysis of the relationships between the number of species of medicinal plants in regional biomes and climatic indices is carried out; the corresponding thematic schematic maps are constructed and analyzed. It is shown that the number of medicinal-plant species is related to the total biome species number. This, in turn, is determined by the geographic location, which determines the average annual temperature and precipitation in the regions. The closest established relationship was between the number of medicinal-plant species and the average annual air temperatures. A relatively high relationship was found between the species number and the average annual precipitation. In the analysis of the relationship between the number of medicinal-plant species used to treat certain classes of diseases and the climatic factors, the picture turned out to be similar.

The medicinal plants of the steppes are a very important source of raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry and are used widely in official and ethnic medicine. They contain higher concentrations of biologically active substances compared with equivalent species from northern habitats. “Officinal” plants (from the Latin officina—a monastery storeroom for medicines) are those permitted for medical use by the Russian Ministry of Health; the steppes contain 113 such species from 96 genera and 43 families—105 aboriginal wild-growing species and eight introduced species cultivated on open ground. In official medicine, such plants are used to treat 14 principal classes of diseases (according to ICD-10). This article studies the regional specifics of flora (variety of officinal plant species composition, their effective substances, indications and contraindications for use, current state of resources, protection and principal uses) within the limits of the three steppe biomes on Russian territory. A very wide variety of wild-growing and cultivated officinal plants are found in the Black-Sea-Ciscaucasian steppe biome. The territory of natural communities is shrinking as a result of the steppes’ agricultural use for cattle breeding and crop production. The flora of medicinal plants is endangered—25 species of officinal plants are included in the Russian Federation and regional Red Data Books; the specially protected natural zones are inadequate for conserving their populations. The introduction of medicinal plants into agriculture may be an efficient means of using this important resource optimally.

The potential risk of natural focal infections for tourists and park visitors has been analyzed and assessed based on the example of Karkaraly National Park (NP), which is located in central Kazakhstan. The medical and geographical characteristics of the area were carried out with three approaches: (1) assessment of natural preconditions for the emergence and existence of natural foci of infections, (2) mapping of the existing natural and anthropurgic foci of infections on a landscape basis, and (3) analysis of population morbidity according to medical statistics data. On the whole, the medical and geographical situation in Karkaraly NP is assessed as most favorable among other NPs in Kazakhstan: it has the lowest number of nosoforms, a small number of natural foci, and a low morbidity rate. However, a certain risk of infection does exist, since the anthrax burial site and rabies foci, as well as tularemia foci in populations of aquatic and semiaquatic rodents, partial overlap with the popular tourist routes in the park. The natural foci of infections of current interest are confined to hummocky and low-mountain, forest landscapes; however, they have both natural and anthropogenic preconditions.

This paper provides a medical–environmental and biogeographical assessment of potential natural hazards in the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve (Republic of Kazakhstan) with consideration of the tourism activities planned there. The exposure factors were analyzed for allergenic and poisonous plants and natural disease foci. The medical–geographical risks are caused by the existence of five natural foci of nosological entities in the reserve, among which tularemia and brucellosis have high morbidity levels in the region. The mammals inhabiting the reserve act as carries of natural-focal diseases, and a large number of poisonous and allergenically active plants grow there. This indicates that the presence of the corresponding risks require regular medical and environmental monitoring. The presented methodological scheme used to assess natural hazards may also be applied to other arid areas and regions.

An ecological and geographical analysis of the distribution of poisonous plants in the regional biomes of Russia and the effect of arid conditions on it are presented. On the territory of Russia, 82 of the most toxic species of vascular plants (belonging to 34 families) were identified; of them, 55 were poisonous species of the genus Aconitum. Cartographic analysis demonstrated that the smallest number of poisonous plant species (excluding species of the genus Aconitum) is confined to the plain biomes of the forest-tundra and tundra, and the largest number of such species grows in lowland steppe biomes. In the lowland desert biome and in some mountain biomes, the number of poisonous plant species is also significant but is slightly lower than in the steppe biomes. The maximal number of species of the genus Aconitum was detected in the mountainous Far Eastern biomes. Correlation analysis of the relationship between the number of plant species and climatic factors revealed the maximal correlation between the total number of poisonous plant species (excluding species of the genus Aconitum) with the average annual air temperature.

This paper is dedicated to the medical–geographical assessment of seven regions in the Republic of Kazakhstan where national parks have been designated that have potential for ecotourism development. The authors have grouped the regions by the level of population morbidity in order to identify their regional medical–geographical parameters and background (reference) characteristics. A medical–geographical map chart of the Republic of Kazakhstan showing the complex of natural focal diseases has been produced. Administrative regions with different medical–geographical risk levels have been identified. This makes it possible to develop detailed medical–environmental monitoring programs, combined with organizational and management actions in areas visited by tourists.

Application of new possibilities in generalization, visualization and integrated analysis of biological and geographic information enables the effective application of biogeographical approaches for the organization of a system of nature protection areas. The research of the Department of Biogeography of the Lomonosov Moscow State University (case studies of three different regions, i.e. the Putorana Plateau, the Karkaralinskie Mountains in Central Kazakhstan and the Kaliningrad Oblast) demonstrate the possible use of the biogeographical monitoring of rare and protected species for the selection of priority territories for biodiversity conservation at various levels of the spatial organization of biota.