Novosibirsk: Science , 1993. - 157 s. Training Manual . The proposed monograph is the result of the study of succession processes in ecosystems formed on the dumps of coal mines of KATEK. Successions of various components of biota are compared, general patterns are isolated, quantitative characteristics of the developing cycles of carbon and nitrogen are given, the analysis of the relationship between environmental successions and the processes of the biological cycle, including soil formation. Three phases of the formation of the biological cycle during the primary succession of the ecosystem are characterized. The book reflects modern ideas about successions and contains completely new information about the relationship of succession with the biological cycle. The book is of interest to soil scientists, ecologists, botanists, zoologists, microbiologists.