The influence of gravity effects of Solar system planets on formation of the temporal variability of hydrometeorological processes is considered. The equivalence of the most clear-cut inte-rannual variability cycles and the periods of gravitation influence of Solar system planets are shown.

The unity of the tropical region is being justified as an area with specific natural and anthropogenic characteristics of landscapes due to the similarity of the principal landscape-forming factors, the common trajectory of the evolution of nature and the extremely long duration of human impact. The degree of landscape transformation of landscapes of three geographical belts (the equatorial, subequatorial and tropical) is quantified, the continental variations are identified. The results of the global assessment of the major changes of tropical landscapes (decrease of forests and increase of the arable lands, land degradation and desertification) are discussed. The prospects for interdisciplinary research of tropical regions for geographers and environmentalists are identified.

March 5,1012 marks 100 years since the establishment of Nature protection committee of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society. Despite the very short period of its operation, the activities of the committee members had a significant impact on the development of the whole territorial nature protection in Russia, mainly expressed in the protected areas - nature reserves, national parks and game reserves.
The article deals with the conditions and prerequisites for the organization of Nature protection committee, its full staff is presented the first time since 1913, as well as information about the activities and impact of the Committee on the current situation in nature reserve management of our country.