Distinctive characteristics of formation and dynamics of nival-glacial geosystems in the south of East Siberia and on Mongolian Altai

Separate mountain massifs, separated by a considerable distance from one another, exhibit in their evolutionary development some similar traits. On the other hand, mountain geosystems occurring in them show differences associated with the location of the mountains, their morphological structure and climatic conditions. Global warming has been producing changes in the dynamics of mountain geosystems over the last three decades. However, the response of nival-glacial intracontinental geosystems is different from that in near-oceanic regions.     

The ethnocultural component of tourism development in the Altai Republic

A characterization is provided for the recreation resources of the Altai Republic. The diversity of the national-ethnical composition of the population of the Altai Republic is determined as well as analyzing the spatial distribution of the ethnoses on its territory. The coefficients of ethnical diversity are calculated for all administrative districts. The territories with a different level of ethnical diversity and a different combination of ethnical groups are determined. The study revealed a connection of ethnical diversity and natural conditions of the territory and the concentration of separate ethnoses in definite landscapes. A characterization is provided for the ethnocultural tourism and recreation resources of the Altai Republic within the context of administrative districts. Information is provided concerning the territorial distribution of separate ethnical groups, traditional kinds of their nature management, religion, main national dishes, elements of national costume, national festivities and rites, etc. An analysis of the spatial distribution of the ethnocultural recreation resources identified promising clusters (nodes) or destinations for the arrangement of special ethnocultural tourist routes. Schematic maps are provided, which display the ethnical diversity in the districts of the region, and promising districts for the organization of ethnocultural tourist routes.     

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.     

Vegetable matter dynamics in geosystems of the Nazarovskaya forest-steppe

The long-term vegetable matter dynamics in geosystems of the Nazarovskaya forest-steppe is considered. The differences in phytomass reserves for the facies of the Berezovskii area are demonstrated. The study revealed a clear-cut rhythmic behavior of variability in phytomass and its life forms which is attributed to the bioclimatic situation not only in a current year but also in preceding years. It is shown that anthropogenically disturbed lands are experiencing a progressive succession which manifests itself in successive changes of the grass stand.     

Integrating landscape connectivity into the evaluation of ecosystem services for biodiversity conservation and its implications for landscape planning

This paper examines the integration of landscape connectivity and ecosystem services. It is based on the assumption that if a habitat within a landscape has a more significant role in connecting with other habitats, it would have a higher ecosystem services value for biodiversity conservation. The Shenzhen River watershed, a cross-border region shared by the city of Shenzhen and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in China, was used as a case study. An area-based functional connectivity index, known as the possibility of connectivity (PC), was implemented to examine the temporal and spatial dynamics of the value of ecosystem services for biodiversity conservation over the period from 1988 to 2008. To evaluate the effectiveness of the PC index, a comparison was made between the conventional assessment method for ecosystem services and the proposed method. Results suggest that our proposed method can identify significant reduction of ecosystem services that was not only due to the decrease of habitat size, but also caused by the damage of connectivity among habitat patches. Also, it can identify sites which should have a high priority in restoring the ecosystem services for biodiversity conservation. In conclusion, this study provides a way to consider landscape connectivity in the evaluation of ecosystem services which is essential for landscape planning and nature conservation.     

Evolution of the plain-taiga geosystems of Western Siberia

The role of the Ob-Irtysh valley in the dynamics and evolution of the soil-earth materials factor of taiga-plain landscape is considered. The study demonstrates the mechanisms of operation of the soil-earth materials factor that is responsible for the formation of zonal forest facies along the valley which undergo swamping at the final stage of their functioning. The progressive development of this regional process leads to marked changes of the biogeochemical situation, and to a deterioration of habitat quality. The problem is complicated by technogenic impacts on the landscape sphere of the oil and gas production complex of Western Siberia.     

Equilibrium-nonequilibrium states of ornithogenous geosystems in the north pacific islands

An analysis is made of the issue related to the structural-functional organization of ornithogenous geosystems evolving in islands with large maritime colonial bird nest clusters. It is shown that under moderate ornithogenous pressure (Talan Island), the long-term vital activity of birds acts as an ecological factor identical to light, heat and atmospheric precipitation, and the geosystem is in an equilibrium state. In the case of a strong impact exceeding the stability threshold (Shelikan Island), the geosystem switches to a nonequilibrium state, which is accompanied by a degradation of the soil-vegetation cover, a mass extinction of ornithophobic plant species, a change in soilformation directedness, and by a most dramatic development of erosion processes.     

Hydrological factors in landscape planning of the Lake Baikal Watershed Basin

We outline the essentials of landscape planning of a territory from the water factor at the stage of assessments and summarizations of a natural character. We explore the possibilities of assessing the water potential and the goals of ecologically oriented land use planning. We formulate a number of recommendations and suggest a target-oriented zoning of the lake’s watershed basin with respect to the water factor with a focus on maintenance of the quantity and quality of waters entering Lake Baikal.     

Program-target approach in investigating the stratification of rural areas (as Exemplified by Altai Krai)

We examine the implementation of the program-target approach in a comprehensive typology of rural areas. The study has revealed stratification elements of rural territories and provides groups of areas according to the status of socioeconomic environment and the development potential and polarization.     

Natural and transformed geosystems of the Tunkinskaya depression

The salient features of the economic development process encompassing the territory of the Tunkinskaya depression are examined for some time intervals of the 20^th century. A comparative analysis is made of the variability in the landscape situation. Quantitative indicators of natural and natural-anthropogenic complexes have been determined.     

Automated construction of the boundaries of basin geosystems for the Volga Federal District

Using the Volga (Privolzhskii) Federal District as an example, we offer the solution of such a currently central scientific and methodological problem as automated identification of the boundaries of basin geosystems under different landscape and geomorphological conditions in terms of multiresolution digital elevation models. The main stages of work are described, namely the development of the digital elevation model, its hydrological adjustment, identification of the boundaries of basin geosystems, and validity assessment of results obtained. The technique has been developed for constructing a hydrologically valid digital elevation model with the purpose of identifying the boundaries of basin geosystems.     

The dynamics of mountain geosystems in southern Siberia

Using three key areas as an example we examine the tendencies toward changes of the mountain geosystems in southern Siberia caused by fluctuations of climate. Presented are the quantitative parameters of the dynamics of nival-glacial geosystems (glaciers, perennial snow clusters, icings, and stony glaciers). Portions of large-scale maps for the key areas generated for a subsequent monitoring of the mountain geosystems are presented.     

Use of historical data in mapping geosystems of the Vitim basin

We examine the main stages of geographical investigations across the territory of the Vitim river basin. An analysis is made of the different-time specific character of the natural and economic situation in the key study area, the Muisko-Kuandinskaya depression. The schematic map of the present-day natural complexes is provided.     

The geosystems of the Southern and Middle Kuril Islands

The spatial structure of the landscapes on the Southern and Middle Kuril Islands is considered. The main regularities of their landscape structure are described. The study revealed a landscape asymmetry that has a different genesis as well as the character of influence of the landscape-forming factors for the Southern and Middle Kurils, with the volcanic factor holds a special position.     

The hydrological foundations of landscape planning of the Lake Sevan basin

The main stages of elaborating the landscape master plan for the Lake Sevan basin with reference to the water component are highlighted. Scientific basis for investigating the hydrological organization of the territory is provided by the landscape-hydrological approach determining the interrelationship of quantitative-qualitative characteristics of the runoff with landscape elements. The focus is on the selection of criteria and on the theoretical substantiation of the factors of assessment of the water potential; a number of recommendations for targeted utilization and improvement of the water-ecological situation of the territory are made.     

Fighting for a future: an actor-oriented planning approach to landscape preservation in Galicia

Modification and channelization of streams and rivers have been conducted extensively throughout the world during the past century. Subsequently, much effort has been directed at re-creating the lost habitats and thereby improving living conditions for aquatic organisms. However, as restoration methods are plentiful, it is difficult to determine which one to use to get the anticipated result. The aim of this study was to compare two commonly used methods in small Danish streams to improve the physical condition: re-meandering and passive restoration through cease of maintenance. Our investigation included measurement of the physical conditions in 29 stream reaches covering four different groups: (1) re-meandered streams, (2) LDC streams (the least disturbed streams available), (3) passively restored streams (>10?years stop of maintenance) and (4) channelized and non-restored streams. The in-stream habitats were compared through analysis of the measured physical parameters and by applying a habitat model. We found that re-meandering is a more effective way of re-creating near-natural physical conditions in small streams compared to passive restoration. This is probably due to the limited energy in small streams which restricts re-shaping of the stream channel. However, based on habitat suitability modelling, the change to the physical condition did not translate into improved habitat suitability for young of the year brown trout highlighting the value of using several methods when evaluating restoration success.     

Natural stability of vegetation in geosystems of southern Middle Siberia

We consider some theoretical and methodological issues relating to stability assessment of natural development of vegetation in geosystems. We have ascertained the evolutionary-genetic essentials of vegetation stability and presented the cartographic states of its assessment. The stability map for plant communities has been developed on a conjugate scale of predictive-cartographic products.     

Regional-typological study and mapping of geosystems: analysis of the implementation

We give an outline of the scientific-methodological principles of using the regional-typological approach in geographical research. Based on analyzing cartographic products, we demonstrate the differences in understanding and implementing the approach. The structurallogical schematic diagram for the regional-typological approach has been developed, which opens up possibilities for its implementation in the study and mapping of geosystems and can provide an integral, systemic idea of this approach.     

Degradation of geosystems in the Belgorod region as a result of the economic activities

We determined the rates of anthropogenic degradation of vegetation cover, soils, the river network, the slope type of terrain, and of the geological framework of landscapes. A decrease of the anthropogenic transformation rate of the component composition of geosystems was revealed in the biogenic components – bio-inert components – abiogenic components series was revealed. The time of complete exhaustion of the natural-resource potential is forecast from the components of the physical-geographical environment.     

基于景观格局分析的区域规划环评方法

针对当前区域规划环评在区域景观格局安全性判别和景观格局规划方案系统优化方法存在的不足,本文提出了基于景观格局分析的区域规划环评方法框架,构建了区域景观格局安全性判别准则和景观格局动态分析（累积影响评价）指标体系。通过对区域规划景观格局的动态分析和安全性判别,实现了区域景观格局的系统优化,从而为构建区域景观安全格局和区域...