Systems radioecology: Modeling of ecological processes and assessment of radiation risks

Outlined are the background and tasks of systems radioecology as a separate branch of radiation ecology based on systems analysis and mathematical modeling. The need is justified for developing appropriate methods in this field for assessing the radiation tolerance of natural systems and the radioecological risks. Particular examples demonstrate the use of different approaches in analyzing the functioning of forest biogeocenoses after acute irradiation and studying the impacts of radioactive contamination of meadow ecosystems on humans and biota. Trends of further studies are outlined, focusing on improvement of systems radioecology methods combined within an integrated methodological framework.