He role and objectives of the institutes of the Komi science centre Ural branch RAS in studying of the Arctic region

The mail reason for publication of this special "Arctic" issue of the journal are the basic changes in the state policy in the Arctic regions and particular interest to this region in period of large-scale reforming of science. The selection of materials reflects the basic directions of researches carried out by institutes of the Komi Science Centre, Ural Branch, RAS, in the Arctic territories. The editorial staff reviewed the basic scientific results to define the place of the Science Centre for the near future.The major directions of scientific researches of institutes of the Komi Science Centre on the Arctic problems in which the North is considered as an object of interdisciplinary researches are shown. Scientists have developed the fundamental bases for studying the northern territories and contributed to the theory and methodology of regulation of social and economic development of northern regions. Theoretical and practical aspects of reproduction of resources of vital activity, territorial planning, demography are studied. The basic directions of mineral resources development and transportindustrial infrastructure creation are defined. The geological-economic regionalization of the territory is made, mining sites and transport corridors forming the transport frame of the industrial-transport development of the Timan-North Urals region are outlined.The inventory and estimation of biological resources is finished, the biodiversityof tundra ecosystems is studied. Monitoring of health indicators, physical and mental condition of the population of northern regions is carried out. The problems of Komi and other Finno-Ugric languages, and traditional culture of northern peoples are of special interest.The vector of the most pressing scientific problems of the Arctic regions whichshould be addressed to in the future, including withdrawal from colonial economy of the North and maintenance of natural balance of the territories of Arcticregions disturbed by coal-and-oil extraction, is designated.