Abstract: This paper describes the main stages, directions and items of ecological research in the former soviet U-nion. Ecological research in the country was restroded by many suective and Uective factors and still lags behind the world level in many aspects such as population dynamics theory,community research,eco-physiclogy,application of calculation techniques etc, The most important trends of ecological research deterrnined by the developn1ental processes of human scientific thinking and new requirements of practical activities are discussed in the paper.

Key words: sediment covering, nitrogen, phosphorus, release control.