E. V. Ostrovskaya, N. V. Dulina, E. V. Kargapolova, Yu. G. Mironova. Socio-Ecological System of a Region: Trends and Contradictions (the Case Study of the Astrakhan Region)

UDK 303.425.4(470.46)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.104.026.201803.538-557

Introduction. The study of the causes affecting the formation of the ecological situation in various regions of Russia seems to be of relevance. The purpose of the paper is to identify trends and contradictions in the transformation of the socio-ecological system of a region by means of a case study of the Astrakhan Region.

Materials and Methods. The materials used were the pieces of sociological research conducted in the Astrakhan Region in 2010-2016. Among the methods used were: questioning, interviewing, and analysis of statistical information. The study was conducted in terms of the systemic approach that combines the ecological and social components.

Results. The analysis of the causes of the unfavorable ecological situation in the Astrakhan Region has been carried out. The study has revealed lack of awareness among the residents of the existing level of air and water pollution, which usually characterize the ecological aspects of the quality of life of people, directly affecting their health, work efficiency, and development of the territorial community. Discrepancy between the positive assessment of air and water quality and the real state of affairs in the region has been revealed.

Discussion and Conclusions. The data obtained allow to draw a conclusion about the imbalance of the socio-ecological system of the Astrakhan Region and its unstable state. The practical significance of the study is in the possibility of using the results of the research to predict changes in the socio-ecological system of a region and in the development of methodological recommendations on how to manage it.

Keywords: socio-ecological systems, environmental threats, air quality, water quality, insecurity of people, public opinion, Astrakhan Region

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Submitted 05.07.2018; accepted for publication 27.07.2018; published online 28.09.2018.

About the authors:

Elena V. Ostrovskaya, Director of the Caspian Marine Scientific and Research Center (14 Shiryaeva St., Astrakhan 414045, Russia), Ph. D. (Geography), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0847-430X, eostrovskaya@mail.ru

Nadezhda V. Dulina, Head of the Department of Sociology, Volgograd State University (100 Universitetskiy Prospect, Volgograd 400062, Russia), Dr. Sci. (Sociology), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6471-7073, nv-dulina@volsu.ru

Ekaterina V. Kargapolova, Professor, Department of Sociology, Astrakhan State University (20a Tatishcheva St., Astrakhan 414056, Russia), Dr. Sci. (Sociology), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2892-3953, Researcher ID: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/O-6734-2017, k474671@list.ru

Yulia G. Mironova, Head of the Department of Sociology, Astrakhan State University (20a Tatishcheva St., Astrakhan 414056 Russia), Ph. D. (Sociology), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1291-258X, lysjakova@mail.ru

Contribution of the authors:

Elena V. Ostrovskaya – critical analysis of theoretical material; analysis of the concept; preparation of the original version of the text of the article; interpretation of the results of the empirical research.

Nadezhda V. Dulina – critical analysis and revision of the text; formalized data analysis; analysis of scientific literature on the subject matter of the article; supervision of the data obtained.

Ekaterina V. Kargapolova – scientific supervision; organization and conduct of empirical research; interpretation of the results of the empirical research; finalization of the text of the article.

Yulia G. Mironova – preparation of the initial version of the text; formalized data analysis; analysis of scientific literature on the subject matter of the article.

For citation:

Ostrovskaya E.V., Dulina N.V., Kargapolova E.V., Mironova Yu.G. Socio-Ecological System of a Region: Trends and Contradictions (the Case Study of the Astrakhan Region). Regionologiya = Regionology. 2018; 26(3):538-557. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.104.026.201803.538-557

All the authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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