Formation of the scientific landscape of the rural regions of Yakutia in the 20th century

Yakutia, being the biggest and at the same time an under-populated region of the Russian Federation, is a place of unique natural monuments, many of which have remained almost intact. Speaking of the natural landscape of Yakutia, you cannot ignore the cultural landscape - the result of co-creation of human being and nature, as well as its important element - the scientific landscape formed by the research institutions and their contributors. The formation of the scientific landscape on the Yakutia territory began in 1920 - 1930-s during the Yakutia expedition (1925-1930), which identified the promising areas of agricultural development in Yakutia, and also founded the first experimental agricultural settlements and footholds for reindeer farming. The postwar period was marked by the opening of the Yakut branch of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR and the organization of the Yakutia Research Institute of Agriculture. Among the major Yakutia research stations carrying out global researches, there should be mentioned the research station “Spasskaya Pad", which became a peculiar research ground (zoologists, soil scientists, specialists in cryolithozone and climatologists work here for the benefit of science and agriculture); Yakut complex detector of air showers, the only installation in the world detecting the ultrahigh energy cosmic rays; the international biological station “Lena-Nordenskiold" engaged in the environmental research and protection in the Arctic. Another important part of the cultural landscape formation is organization of the network of natural reserves in the territory of Yakutia, including opening of Olyokminsky and Lena Delta Wildlife Reserves in 1981 and 1985 and establishment of five wildlife parks and a number of reserves at the turn of the 21 st century.