Geoinformational Mapping of Landscapes in the Northwestern Part of Western Siberia Using the Hansen Mosaic Dataset

Presented are the technique and results of studying the landscape structure of the north-west of Western Siberia on the basis of the Hansen mosaic dataset consisting of elements covering the entire territory of the Earth. To study this area used a synthesis of classical methods of thematic system mapping as described in the doctrine of geosystems of V. B. Sochava, and automated interpretation of remote sensing data and mapping using GIS technologies. The method of geoinformational mapping of the landscape structure with the use of MultiSpec and Quantum GIS software programs for the purpose of drawing up real-time raster landscape maps is shown. In drawing up the map and the legend, the principle of geomic system-hierarchical representation of the territory as a complex multi-level “bottom-up” structure from topological-level geosystems (groups and classes of landscape facies) to regional-level geosystems (geoms, groups and classes of geoms) was used. Compilation of operational raster landscape maps of the north-west of Western Siberia involved multilevel automated interpretation of the Hansen mosaic dataset and mapping of areas (clusters) on images with different brightness characteristics, with the landscape structure of key areas and stationary physical and geographical profiles. A characteristic of this approach also implies using a dynamic classification of geosystems based on the study of their variable states. Such an approach permits a monitoring of changes in landscape structure and its areas and the intensity of anthropogenic impacts on forest and marsh landscapes, and determination of permissible pressure on geosystems in areas with high technogenic pressure of the oil and gas complex represented by the north-west of Siberia. An automated processing of data based on a supervised classification of territorial objects allows for the elimination of inaccuracies arising in visual image interpretation. Raster landscape maps can be used both for a further generation of vector maps and as a real-time information base for purposes of environmental management and protection.     

Spatio-temporal Organization of Mountain Taiga Geosystems of the Baikal Natural Territory

Results from investigating the geosystems of Cisbaikalia in its western and eastern parts (Primorskii Range and Barguzin Range, respectively) are presented. For studying three macroslopes of these mountain ranges (having an easterly aspect for the Primorskii Range and a westerly and south-easterly aspect for the Barguzin Range), the regional background and the main factors of the landscape differentiation of the study areas were analyzed. Structural features of topological geosystems are revealed, and large-scale maps of key areas are compiled (at a scale of 1:50 000). Maps of the landscape-typological structure were created on the basis of the structural-dynamic and facies analysis of landscapes. It is established that the main factors influencing the landscape diversity are the aspect and steepness of the slopes, the composition and structure of rocks, the absolute height, the amount of atmospheric precipitation, and anthropogenic impacts. It is determined that the influence of the lithomorphic factor is widespread throughout the study areas, the hydromorphic factor is also important, the cryomorphic factor occurs additionally in the goletz zone, and the xeromorphic factor is only observed on the Baikal Range and on the coastal plain in some areas of Priolkhonie. The dynamic aspect of the landscape structure and the relationships between geosystems are displayed in map legends.     

Using the landscape map to assess the productivity of geosystems in the southern taiga of Western Siberia

The principle of structural-dynamical landscape science was used in mapping the taiga of the Ob’-Irtysh, Lower Irtysh and Tobol regions. The spatiotemporal dynamics of the regions’ geosystems is outlined, and their productivity is assessed from forest inventory data and NDVI indices as calculated on the basis of Landsat-5 TM images.     

Development of the Geosystem Mapping Methodology

The formative stages of the geosystem mapping methodology are outlined. It is determined that the early stages of geosystem mapping showed a continuity of the ideas of geobotanical mapping: concerning the hierarchical structure of the phytosphere, and the invariant and the variable states of plant communities. It was found that geosystem mapping involves integrating the facies according to structural and structural-dynamic indicators differing from a traditional typization. Data were generalized having regard to the assignment of the facies to a particular landscape area. Use was made of the facies categories of optimal, limited and reduced development caused by a difference in their structure and biotic productivity. It was determined that a next mapping stage implied identifying the dynamic categories and geosystem state variables associated with one primary geomer regarded as the parent core. The map legend was based on the characteristics of the relief and vegetation. The absence of other indicators has limited the possibilities of using the map to solve forecasting problems. It was established that at present, given a significant body of landscape data, there is almost no research devoted to the cartographic solution of the problem of assessing changes in the natural environment. There is a need for mapping of the structural, dynamic and genetic uniqueness of geosystems and to explain their diagnostic features in all crucial components. We determined that the current stage of mapping should be focused on solving the problem of geographic map-based forecasting. For solving the forecast issues, we identified the features of structural-dynamic and evolutionary transformations of geosystems, their stability, and the direction of transformation under the influence of various factors. The methodology and stages of geosystem mapping are suggested.     

Landscape planning in the Transcaucasia

We have developed the planning documents for model territories of a different dimension: the landscape program of Adzharia (Georgia), the landscape structure plan for the Lake Sevan watershed basin (Armenia), and the landscape plan for the Shirvan National Park (Azerbaijan). Variants of the solution of regional natural-ecological problems are proposed, and the measures for implementation of the target concepts are substantiated.     

Altitudinal gradient as a complex factor for formation of landscape microzonality and geosystem serialness

Using the biogeocenoses of taiga geosystems as an example, we employed the method of correlation analysis and the technique for analyzing the main components to demonstrate that a relative altitude is a complex indicator of serialness of landscape-level geosystems, reflecting not only the particular geographical signatures but also a certain system of conjugation of the portions of landscape and the force of spatial and typological connections that causes the concrete facies to deviate from zonal normal. Complex indicators: the main components, and the correlation and regression coefficients, were used to reveal a functional correlation of the sets of BGC attributes between themselves and with a relative altitude of the location.     

The landscape-assessment map for the Asian part of Russia: the principles and methodological aspects of charting

We examine some aspects related to the generation of the general-purpose landscape-assessment regional-typological 1:2 500 000 map for the Asian part of Russia that was initiated by the V. B. Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS and is based on the methodological achievements of the theory of geosystems and landscape science in general as well as on results from regional comprehensive investigations. Presented are the fundamental principles of compiling the landscape-assessment map: the regional-typological approach, and reflection of the present state of invariant units of structure and ecologically functional significance for nature management.     

Characteristics of the manifestation of landscape-forming processes in the Kuril and Hawaiian Islands

A comparative analysis is made of the landscape-forming factors, and their role in the formation of the spatial structure of landscapes in the Kuril and Hawaiian Islands is determined. The research has been done on the basis of landscape mapping at a scale of 1:200 000. A correlative study was made of the different genetic varieties of geosystems: classical landscapes, catenary and nuclear. In spite of the dissimilar character of manifestation of landscape-forming processes, there occur largely identical formation principles for the spatial structure of landscapes.     

Landscape planning: The applied branch in complex physical geography

Some issues related to the relationship between physical geography and landscape planning in Russia are considered. It is proposed to assess the geosystem components and determine the goal functions of their territorial development on the basis of the contour grid of the landscape map adapted to the goals of landscape planning, which provides a possibility of utilizing the totality of information accumulated in databases, during all stages of work, up to planning decision-making. It is emphasized that the traditions of Russian and soviet physical geography necessarily imply a detailed substantiation of efforts in terms of landscape science; however, landscape science cannot attempt to offer universal coverage of the complex problem of multicomponent diversity of landscapes. Specific reference is made to the need for consultation with sectoral experts already at the stage of selecting or generating the basis for maps of assessing the significance and sensitivity of geosystem components, and maps of the goals of territorial development. It is established that in conditions where in the case of so-called territorial planning there is no division into specialized sectors and all the other sectoral plannings are virtually non-existent, the problem of introducing landscape planning in Russia in terms of the landscape science approach. It is determined that landscape planning in Russia has not yet become a sector or a means for ecologization of territorial planning.     

Geosystems of the Upper Yenisei basin

We examine the methodological issues and some results of landscape mapping of the Upper Yenisei basin (the Nazarovskaya, Kanskaya, Minusinskaya and Tuvinskaya depressions) at a scale of 1:1 000 000. A fragment of the map of the geosystems is provided, and the territory’s landscape structure is described.     

Landscape Pattern Metrics: An Empirical Study from 2-D to 3-D

Analysis of landscape patterns, as an important means of studying landscape ecological functions and processes, is a key part of landscape ecology. The traditional patch-corridor-matrix paradigm, ignoring the differences between real three-dimensional (3-D) landscapes and two-dimensional (2-D) landscape maps, quantifies and describes 2-D landscape maps using landscape pattern metrics. Such simplification of the real landscape will lead to differences between 2-D landscape pattern metrics and real values, especially in mountainous areas. This study seeks to examine whether these differences are significant in natural landscape patterns. Fourteen small watersheds in a mountainous area were selected as sample landscape units. Two metrics at the patch level, five metrics at the class level, and four metrics at the landscape level were chosen as representative metrics. The results indicated that there were significant differences between the 2-D and 3-D landscape pattern metrics at the patch level, landscape level, and class level. We interpret the differences as errors in the 2-D metrics. The errors depend on the metric and the landscape type, and the errors for different landscape types were inconsistent. Whether these errors affect further interpretation of the role of pattern in landscape ecology remains uncertain.     

Small-scale maps of geochemical barriers

We examined the various aspects of the study into radial geochemical barriers in soils, their classification, and some mapping problems as well as the experience in compiling small-scale maps of geochemical barriers. We describe the technique for compiling maps of geochemical barriers (topsoils — biogeochemical and subsoil — physicochemical barriers) for the territory of Russia, based on M. A. Glazovskaya’s new typological grouping of barriers. The maps thus compiled are the result of applying the new typization and target-oriented interpretation of soil profiles (sets of genetic horizons) for the purposes of mapping large territories.     

The principles of forecasting the geom structure of the Prebaikalia under climate change

We consider some methodological principles of forecasting changes in the geom structure of the Prebaikalia’s territory under climatic warming. A forecast is made by using a GIS that was created on the basis of the landscape map for the southern part of East Siberia. The identified spatial connections of geoms, the characteristic altitudes at which each geom is located, and the location structures of geom units in altitude serve as a basis for forecasting.     

基于景观生态学的山地小城镇建设规划——以重庆柳荫镇为例

由于地形、地貌以及地质条件的复杂性,山地城镇在景观的要素构成、景观格局、景观功能及生态环境都与平原城镇有着相异的特征.在基于山地城镇景观生态特征和生态现状分析的基础上,结合重庆市柳荫镇的建设规划实践,从城镇土地利用规划、生态格局建设和城镇风貌营造三方面,论述了景观生态学对山地城镇建设规划的方法论指导作用.强调了山地城镇生态、视觉廊道建设对城镇生态网络和景观风貌的作用和意义.     

Generation of integral maps using the territory of a municipal district as an example

This paper further develops the ideas of V. B. Sochava’s Siberian school of thematic mapping concerning an integral approach in generating synthesis and assessment maps of the habitat on objective grounds confirmed by quantitative calculations. Maps of the natural environment display the invariant structure of the sites of a territory and their variable states. Integral indicators of the state of environment combine differentquality spatial information on the geographical location of the sites having regard to the scientific principles of qualimetry. An unbiased calculation of integral indicators is ensured through the use of the method of principal component analysis. The first principal component characterizes a maximum of variation in information on the geosystem, and the second component refers to a stable environment background. Their difference for each location corresponds to the potential of geosystem variability. The resulting integral indicators are displayed on assessment cartograms. The entire array of independent principal components is used for a classification of geosystems using the method of k-means clustering to create the typological map of the territory. Calculations are based on data for forest management of the Slyudyanka Leskhoz within the boundaries of the Slyudyanka municipal district of Irkutsk oblast. The territorial norm of the geographical environment corresponds to geosystems of the mountain-taiga belt of the Siberian stone pine and larch taiga on different-aspect slopes. Negative deviations from the norm are induced by high-mountain goletz and subgoletz geosystems on steep slopes, and positive deviations correspond to flat interfluves and gentle slopes.     

中国西部干旱区生态景观制图的若干问题

制图方法是认识和揭示客观现象与过程的重要途径。生态景观制图作为专题制图学的一个重要方向,通过建立分类体系,制定分类方法,编制专题图件,可以反映自然要素和人为作用的特点,揭示生态景观要素的耦合关系。生态景观制图中专题要素的表现方式,制图过程的数据采集,制图单元的划分,制图的模式选择,以及遥感、GIS与数字制图手段的应用,是十旱Ⅸ景观生态制图的关键问题。生态景观制图巾的地图信息理论、地图模式论、地图分析理论、地图要素综合理论、制冈工艺学等的发展,对于开拓资源环境制图学的新领域具有理论价值,并对生态规划与生态建设具有重要促进作用。     

The present geoecological situation within the territory of the city of Irkutsk

Presented are the results derived from studying the exogenous geological processes within urbanized territories. Specific areas are identified: local geosystems of urban territories with intense development of natural-technogenic exogenous geological processes which require analysis of the evolution of the geological environment and engineering technical work in order to minimize the negative technogenic load.     

Cartographic approach in studying the structure and dynamics of geosystems as exemplified by the middle Ob region

The structure and dynamics of geosystems in the northwestern part of Western Siberia is considered using the Kazym-Lyamin interfluve, based on the landscape-assessment map for the middle part of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District. The study used the landscape structural-dynamical approach and the methods of studying the spatio-temporal dynamics of taiga geosystems.