Floods occur in almost all continents of the world and cause enormous damage to humanity. Floods usually occur due to a variety of natural and climatic factors. In areas with cold winters, flooding occurs due to ice jams that stop the flow of the river; and in areas with mountainous terrain, floods also occur due to heavy rainfall. To protect themselves from the water element, people build protective structures and take preventive measures. The most common bank protection structures are dams. In Yakutia, due to the natural and climatic features, floods occur almost every year. The article deals with the problem of flood protection and damage in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). In the republic, only a small part of protective structures have been built in the total number of the settlements located in hazardous zones and exposed to the negative impact of waters. The condition of these structures raises some doubts, since the repair (maintenance) work is not carried out properly, and some of them are not built in accordance with building codes. In particular, the dam in the village of Grafsky-Bereg, Namsky District, is considered. The dam was built after a big flood in 2010 that caused huge damage to Namsky District. The condition of the dam along its entire length is considered. The technical condition of the dam was assessed and the need for maintenance and reinforcement of the dam in the village of Grafsky-Bereg was identified. Recommendations are given for repair, strengthening and maintenance of the dam for its further safe operation.

The article discusses the main methods used to assess the use of land in agriculture, reviews and presents the main points of view of Russian researchers in the field of land use. The author proposes the main directions for improving methods for assessing the economic efficiency of land resources, in particular, the introduction of a tool for selecting a key set of indicators that most reliably reflect the efficiency of land use in agriculture in relation to each specific region and municipal district. Along with this, the article proposes the improved assessment methods using modern methods of data visualization with the help of geographic information systems.

The article is devoted to the study of innovation activity, including innovation infrastructure and patent activity in the regions of the Russian northeast (RNE). The north-eastern regions of Russia include the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Magadan Oblast, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Kamchatka Krai and Sakhalin Oblast, which, except Kamchatka Krai, belong to the northern regions of the resource type. The methodological basis for assessing the innovative development of the regions was found in works by foreign and Russian authors, as well as revealed by the authors when studying the topic. The review analysis of innovative activity of the five regions located in the Russian northeast was done. The innovative infrastructures of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Magadan Oblast, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Kamchatka Krai and Sakhalin Oblast were analyzed. The indicators “dynamics of changes in the indicators of patent activity”, characterizing the inventive activity of the regions, were presented. The data analysis showed that the leading position among the regions of the RNE in terms of inventive activity is occupied by the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) with an indicator of 0.79, which is significantly higher than those of Magadan Oblast (0.36), Kamchatka Krai (0.32), and Sakhalin Oblast (0.10) (Fig. 5a). The same pattern of location was observed in the dynamics of issued patents for inventions, utility models and industrial designs per ten thousand people of the labor force (Fig. 5b). The analysis and assessment of the innovation potential of the RNE showed that the necessary legal and innovative infrastructure base has been created in most subjects, regional concepts and programs for the development of innovative systems have been adopted, and there are basically the necessary infrastructure elements for the development of regional innovation systems. In the future, further studies of the impact of innovative processes on the socio-economic development of the northern (Arctic) territories, including the Russian northeastern regions, will be necessary.

This paper examines the international practices and regional experience in the reintroduction and use of bison in the economy, identifying the main risks for the future integration of bison in livestock industry. Scientific publications of Russian biologists, foreign economists and biologists, industry and regional reports, information papers of various bison associations, news articles and press-releases of state authorities were studied as materials for the paper. The authors consider the possibility and perspectives of replicating foreign experience and estimate the risks, considering the regional context. The North American experience in the recovery and commercial raising of the plains bison, a related subspecies/ecotype of the wood bison, shows the potential of bison breeding as an alternative to cattle. At the same time, high resistance to climatic conditions of the republic, similar experience in horse breeding, positive results of reintroduction, show the potential for replication and further development of foreign experience in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). Studying foreign experience also revealed dangers and negative aspects that require further research in order to minimize their impact in future: small population, vulnerability to diseases, wild nature, natural strength, competing species, as well as regional aspects such as remoteness and the lack of developed infrastructure. On the main risks, a range of issues is outlined, the solution of which will have a positive effect on the prospect of introducing bison into cattle breeding. In the future, the work on the analysis of the highlighted issues will allow a deeper research of using bison in the economy of the republic, determine the strengths and weaknesses in comparison with other species, formulate the necessary measures to minimize risks and more efficient, in the long term, integration into the economy of the republic.

The article presents the practice of launching the production of Calcium-Sigostin, a biologically active supplement (BAS) developed by a small innovative enterprise LLC “Dary Yakutii” (Gifts of Yakutia) using fishbone powder from northern Cisco species with the purpose of using local raw materials to create food products useful for the population health. Currently, there is a need for modern non-medicinal preparations based on mineral, plant and animal raw materials for the prevention of socially significant diseases, especially for the population living in the north of Russia, by using them with food to normalize metabolism, and to improve the functioning of human body systems. The introduction of new innovative products based on unique Yakut raw materials contributes to a gradual transition to a waste-free technological cycle in the agricultural industry of Yakutia, for example, in the fish processing industry in Yakutsk. In the future, the release of new products will contribute to the creation of new industries in the economy of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). To minimize the costs of producing dietary supplements, the method of contract production in Moscow Oblast was chosen, with the production of raw materials in the city of Yakutsk. The practical experience of launching production described in the article can be used to accelerate the release of products developed by scientists and entrepreneurs in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), which will solve the issues of minimizing costs and accelerating the processes of entering markets and reaching the population.

The article presents the results of a sociological survey of young people living on the territory of Mirninsky District in order to determine the socio-economic state of the youth environment. Based on the results of the survey, the basic needs of young people were identified, the degree of their satisfaction; problems faced by young people; their life positions on the issue of military service, attitude towards people with disabilities and volunteering; attitude to the socio-economic policy pursued by the public authorities. Of particular interest was the attitude of young people to volunteering, which became relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey also helped to identify the main information sources used by young people, since the possibilities of communication channels contribute to timely informing young people about events, including those carried out by the youth policy committee. Determining the state of the youth environment is necessary for building priority areas of youth policy at the municipal level, the correct implementation of which is the most important factor in the successful development of the municipal formation «Mirninsky District», Sakha Republic (Yakutia) and the state as a whole.