toropova_naNatalia Toropova was born on January 31st, 1946 in a small town Belomorsk in Karelia Republic of USSR. After secondary school she became a student of Moscow State Pedagogical Institute and went to numerous field trips with teachers and researchers of the Botany department. On graduating from the institute in 1970 she became a post-university research student at the Botany department under the supervision of Professor A.A. Uranov, a renowned Soviet botanist.

On finishing her studies in 1974, Natalia Toropova started work at Tambov State University as a senior lecturer. In 1977 she defended her research thesis ‘Structure and Dynamics of Phytogeneous Field of
Cenopopulation Mercurialisperennis L. and its Interaction with Aegopodium podagraria L.’ In 1988 she became the associate professor of the university. While working in Tambov State University, Natalia Toropova trained generations of teachers who are now working successfully in their profession. She used to take her students to nature trips. Together with her fellow researchers from Moscow State Pedgagogical Institute she worked in Voronino Nature Reserve (Tambov region) and in various protected natural areas of Russia. She never ceased to find and develop new ideas in teaching and research.

In 1999 she was invited to teach at the newly established Pushchino State University (now Pushchino Institute of Natural Sciences) in Moscow region. After seven years she retired due to deteriorating health. Natalia Toropova died on January 26th, 2016.

 

Publications (selected)

 

  1. Uranov A.A., Grigorieva N.M., Zaugolnova L.B., Mikhailova N.F., Smirnova O.V., Toropova N.A. Uneven distribution of species as a sources of knowledge of history and dynamics of Cenopopulations. Quantitative Methods of Plant Analysis. Ufa. Bashkir branch of the Institute of Biology. 1974. pp. 217-221.
  2. Smirnova O.V., Toropova N.A. Dog’s mercury. Flora of the Moscow region. Moscow. Moscow State University. 1975. Vol.2. pp. 111-123.
  3. Toropova N.A. Quantitative methods for determining age conditions at long-rooted plants. Botany Journal. 1975. Vol. 60 pp. 56-67.
  4. Smirnova O.V., Egorova V.N., Toropova N.A. Age spectres of cenopopulations of long-rooted plants. Plant Cenopopulations (Main Terms and Structure). Moscow. Nauka. 1976. pp. 146-165
  5. Smirnova O.V. Toropova N.A. Yellow archangel. Flora of the Moscow Region. Moscow. Moscow State University. 1976. Vol. 3. pp. 139-150.
  6. Smirnova O.V., Toropova N.A. Ecological and demographic characteristics of grass plant synusiae. East-European Broad-Leafed Forests. Moscow. Nauka. 1994. pp. 171–190.
  7. Smirnova O.V., Toropova N.A. Main features of populations biology of plant (edificators and accetators) of present forest belt. General notions of populations biology and ecology of plants. East-European Forests: history in theHolocene and present state. Moscow. Nauka. 2004. Vol. 1.pp. 154-164.
  1. Smirnova. O.V., Toropova N.A. Proper time and space of biosystems the expression of polyvariety. Polyvariety of Development of Species, Populations and Communities. Yoshkar-Ola. Mari State University. 2006. pp.32-43.
  2. Smirnova. O.V., Toropova N.A. Populations theory in phytosociology and the problem of succession and climax. Current Problems of Geo-Botany. III National School-Conference. Lectures. Petrozavodsk. Karel Research Centre of Russian Academy of Sciences. 2007. pp.302-319.
  3. Smirnova. O.V., Toropova N.A. Proper space and time of biosystems, Space and Time: Physical, Psychological, Mythological. Papers of V International Conference. Moscow. Cultural Centre ‘Novy Akropol’. 2007. pp.103-115.
  4. Smirnova. O.V., Toropova N.A. Succession and climax as ecosystem process. Current Achievements in Biology. 2008. Vol. 128, no. 2. pp.129-144.
  5. Smirnova. O.V., Toropova N.A., Lugovaya D.L., Aleinikov A.A. Populations paradigm in ecology and ecosystem processes. News of Moscow Society of Naturalists, Biology Department. 2011. Vol. 116. no. 4 pp. 41-47.
  6. Toropova N.A., Smirnova O.V. Ecological risk of natural reserves creation and ways of overcoming them: review of current views. News of Tambov State University. Series: Biology and Ecology. 2014. Vol. 19 no. 5. pp.1577-1580.
  7. Smirnova. O.V., Toropova N.A. Potential vegetation and potential ecosystem layer. Achievements of Current Biology. 2016. Vol. 136 no. 2

 

O.V. Smirnova

I send my words of love and gratitude to Natalia Toropova ,the last research student of A.A. Uranov and my friend – for her unfailing support and help in solving difficult problems, as well as for her determination to make our texts clear-cut and precise.

Sveta Turubanova and Petya Potapov, USA, Maryland University (former students)

Both Petya and I express our sincerest condolences in connection of passing away of Natalia Toropova. She was a kind and sincere person who will remain in our memories forever.

Oksana Sidorova, Marta Bakhmatova, Arkhangelsk. (ex-colleague)

I was saddened to find out about the untimely death of Natalia. It is difficult to believe it… I remember her as a kind and sensitive person, conscientious in her work. I often remember our interesting talks and discussions during the time I was preparing my research thesis. Her utmost professionalism, competence, and commitment earned her great respect. Please accept my deepest sympathies and let me say that I mourn your grievous loss. Let the loving memory of Natalia always remain in the hearts of her family, her friends, colleagues and soul mates.

Kseniya Glushkova (former student)

Yesterday night learned about the death of Natalia. I could not sleep all night from thinking. Please, do not despair!

Natalia will remain in the hearts of hundreds of people as a kind-hearted, open, happy person. There are only a few who could have such attitude to life.

I hope that her soul will find peace and join the souls of her mother, father, and brother. And she will be always with us – with the sun, the snow, the wind, daylight and night. She is always with us!

 

Roman, Tambov (former student)

Yesterday I learned the sad news. Natalia Toropova will always remain in my memory as a woman who bring light and positive attitude.

Some years ago I met a woman who looked remarkably like her, but older, so I did not recognize her at once, but when I saw her stroking the tops of juniper, I understood right away that it was her. I caught up with her. We talked. Let her rest in peace.

Valentina Fedyaeva, Rostov-on-Don (ex-colleague)

Yesterday I was too tired to read the emails and only this morning I saw the letter, heart jumped first with joy then with horror. She was such a unique, open person. It is such a loss for all who knew her. I feel awkward writing clichés with condolences. I did not know that Natalia was so seriously ill. What happened is simply inconceivable. The only consolation for all of us is that she was in our lives, warmed us with her heart’s glow, empathy and forgiveness. God rest her soul in peace.

Pavel Grabarnik, Pushchino (ex-colleague)

Please accept my sincerest condolences.

It happened that I did not meet Natalia often, when she worked here, with us at Pushchino. But I always remember her as a very kin-hearted and honest personality.

Aleksey Yemelyanov, Tambov (former student)

The relatives and friends have said their last good-bye to Natalia. There is no need to say what a wonderful, exceptional person she was. I just want to say that we, all her student she had taught, who spent some brief moments of their lives with her, we all grieve her passing away; we remember the purest and kindest soul. I know that there is an idea of her grave being transferred to Tambov. As far as I am concerned, I promise to look after the place and keep it in order. And I also suggest opening a classroom in her memory at the institute. I hope that the colleagues will approve that.

My heart is with all who grieves for Natalia Toropova. She was more than just a teacher for me, but a soul mate, who ‘saved’ me scores of times with a kind word or advice. I strived to be like her. It was so great to have tea with her and her friends. Natalia always tried to make all her acquaintances known to each other. She loved and respected everyone. I feel so sad that my personal problems prevented me from seeing her in the last years.

God rest her soul in peace. It is so difficult to comprehend, to accept.