[A NATURAL PLAGUE FOCUS. IN GORNYI ALTAI: FORMATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND FUNCTIONING]

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Epidemiology
• Zoology

Background:

• Long-term studies are crucial for understanding natural plague foci.
• The Gornyi Altai region exhibits a complex, multi-level ecological system.
• Recent formation and expansion of the plague focus in South-Western Altai are notable.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the natural focal pattern of plague in the Gornyi Altai region.
• To describe biological processes within the focus.
• To identify key features of the focus's formation and functioning.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of long-term study data.
• Ecological system analysis.
• Population characteristic assessment.

Main Results:

• The plague focus in South-Western Altai is relatively recent, forming approximately 50 years ago.
• Significant expansion in the enzootic area and epizootic activity observed.
• Plague focus dynamics are linked to Pallas' pika (Ochotoma pallasi) and its fleas.

Conclusions:

• Aridization of mountain steppes in South-Western Altai is a key factor.
• Space-time transformations in Pallas' pika populations drive plague dynamics.
• Understanding these ecological factors is vital for plague control.