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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Mapping the physiography of Michigan with GIS

Abstract

We present a new physiographic map of Michigan, that is also available interactively, online. Only four, small-scale physiographic maps of Michigan had been previously published. Our mapping project made use of a wide variety of spatial data, in a GIS environment, to visualize and delineate the physical landscape in more detail than has been done previously. We also examined many of the unit boundaries in the field, using a GIS running on a GPS-enabled laptop. Unlike previous physiographic maps, the online version of the map enables users to query the criteria used to define each of the 224 boundaries of its 10 major and 91 minor physiographic units. The interactive nature of the online version of the map is a unique enhancement to physiographic maps and mapping. Our study also provides data on the number and types of criteria used to define each of the 224 unit boundaries within the map. Most of our unit boundaries are based on data derived from 10-m raster elevation data and NRCS soils data, e.g., relief, soil wetness, escarpments, landscape fabric, and parent material characteristics. Data gleaned from NRCS SSURGO county-scale soil maps were a strength of the project. [Key words: Michigan, physiography, landforms, soils, GIS, mapping]     

Birdwatching tourism infrastructure planning in the Ria Formosa Natural Park (Portugal)

We investigated the Ria Formosa Natural Park located in the lagoon of the same name; it is famous for a great diversity of bird species and offers outstanding possibilities for the development of a special type of ecological tourism, birdwatching, that attracts birdwatchers from across the globe. It is shown that the existing natural resources on this territory should be complemented by an appropriate infrastructure and the rules in order to ensure tourism sustainability and development in connection with a high ecological significance of the territory and a heavy demand from visitors. Using landscape approach and methods of geoinformationbased landscape-interpretation mapping, extrapolating the density of different bird species, calculating integral indicators for assessing ornithological resources as well as infrastructure development techniques, we undertook a planning procedure of the birdwatching tourism infrastructure, including trails and observation points. As initial data, we used vegetation and soil maps, topographic maps, space images, data on the density of bird species in different biotopes, and field investigations. We generated the population density maps for each bird species as well as the biotope assessment map for all bird species, based on calculating the sum of the products of densities of each species by the ecological value of the species. Also, the landscape map was used to develop the territorial zoning map, having regard to the possibilities and limitations of constructing trails of different classes. Using spatial cross-matching of the assessment maps for ornithological resources and the trail zoning map, we identified places holding promise for the construction of the birdwatching tourism infrastructure. It is shown that the suggested method provides a means of making a proximate assessment of the territory from different perspectives, based on knowledge of a territory’s landscape structure; it is a prompt and inexpensive technique as contrasted to field investigations of the entire territory; however, it calls for further detailed investigation into promising areas.     

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.     

The benchmark network for ecological monitoring of the Baikal natural territory

Using an ingenious cartographic method, for the Baikal natural territory we have developed a benchmark network that includes 18 tracts (0.47% of the territory under consideration). Special-purpose ground-based surveys of the selected tracts showed that such a network fully reflects the landscape diversity on the level of geoms, the phytocenotic diversity, and the species diversity of the regional biota.     

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.     

Use of an expert system to map forest soils from a geographical information system

Abstract

Mapping forest soils using conventional methods is time consuming and expensive. An expert system is described and applied to the mapping of five forest soil-landscape units formed on a single granitoid parent material. Three thematic maps were considered important in influencing the distribution of soils. The first showed the distribution of nine classes of native eucalypt forests, and the second and third were derived from a digital elevation model and represented slope gradient and a soil wetness index combined with topographical position. These layers were input to a raster based geographical information system (GIS) and then geometrically co-registered to a regular 30 m grid. From a knowledge of soil distributions, the relationships between the soil-landscape units and the three data layers were quantified by an experienced soil scientist and used as rules in a rule based expert system. The thematic layers accessed from the GIS provided data for the expert system to infer the forest soil-landscape unit most likely to occur at any given pixel. The soil-landscape map output by the expert system compared favourably with a conventional soil-landscape map generated using interpretation of aerial photographs.     

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.     

Supervised landform classification of Northeast Honshu from DEM-derived thematic maps

This paper proposes a quantitative method to classify landforms using four morphometric parameters from DEM-derived thematic raster maps of slope and topographic openness. Because the different surficial processes and stages in the evolution of slopes create landscapes with different shapes, these parameters may lead to a genetic interpretation of topography. The raster maps of slope and topographic openness were constructed for Northeast Honshu, Japan, from 50-m DEMs. The mean and standard deviation of morphometric parameters within a 3050 m by 3050 m moving window on the raster maps were calculated. The results for some training areas show that constructional/depositional and erosional landforms with different relief have different morphometric characteristics. A supervised landform classification for Northeast Honshu using the knowledge from the training areas revealed a ladder geomorphological structure composed of high mountains, ranges and volcanoes. The close relationship between the ladder geomorphological structure and volcano distribution indicates that the structure reflects the magmatic plumbing system from the upper mantle to the crust of the Northeast Honshu arc.     

Geobotanical forecasting in the nature management ecological optimization in Baikalian Siberia

An analysis is made of the geobotanical forecasting technique. Mapping is known to be recognized as the most powerful method of forecasting-geobotanical investigations. A close interrelation between geobotanical forecasting and vegetation mapping is demonstrated. To improve objectivity of the findings used cartographic models of modern and predicted vegetation which most fully represent the entire structuralcenotic diversity of plant communities in Prebaikalia, the central region of Baikalian Siberia. The predictive constructions are based on analyzing modern vegetation which always includes structural features of its future that manifest themselves in primary and stable derivative communities. We developed the legend and compiled the map (sc 1:200 000) of the region’s modern vegetation. The state of the natural environment of the Lena- Angara interfluve is assessed having regard to the various functions of plant communities in geosystems. The 1:200 000 map of probability-forecasted (within 200 years) vegetation is presented for Lena-Angara interfluve. It is shown that complete recovery of the primary structure will not occur within 200 years. It is found that it is necessary to carry out predictive-cartographic investigations for the whole of Baikalian Siberia as vegetation of this region is characterized by a decreased activity of recovery processes occurring under the influence of anthropogenic factors. The reason has to do with the harsh natural conditions where it is not worthwhile to pursue extensive nature management, such as is universally the case to date, leading to undesirable economic consequences, because the degree of disturbance to vegetation in a number of areas of Prebaikalia has now reached as critical level. It is concluded that a further policy of nature management on this territory must be built upon the new principles to be approved by government documents.     

在GIS支持下的东南山区土壤景观监测与制图

本研究就土壤景观的监测方法、制图技术进行探讨，提出了以景观生态学分析和地物隶属关系分析为主的东南山区土壤景观制图技术。利用GIS和RS技术，通过图形叠加、图形-影象叠架而生成的双因素、三因素叠加图，不但反映了土壤景观变化，而且量化了土壤景观因素之间的关系。如1997年与1985年相比，中海拔地形中多样性指数下降，土壤景观结构的有序性增强；但低海拔和最高海拔的地形中多样性指标上升，土壤景观结构的有序性变差，同时优势度指数也有所下降。     

The results of 100-year-long observations of the glacial geosystem dynamics in the Munku-Sardyk massif

Using the glaciers of the Munku-Sardyk massif as an example, we examine the patterns of changes of glaciological landscapes as revealed through instrumental observations. We present the quantitative parameters of the dynamics of nival-glacial geosystems obtained by using state-of-the-art remote sensing and GIS analysis facilities. Interesting new features reflecting the state of geosystems are described, and particularizing geoinformation calculations and a mapping are performed for a subsequent monitoring of their state.     

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。     

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.     

Cartographic model of river basins of European Russia

An analysis made of the worldwide existing geoinformation systems (HydroSHEDS, CCM, Ecrins, WBD, etc.) suggests that there are as yet no models of adequate quality for the basin boundaries of small rivers in the European part of Russia. For the territory of the European part of Russia with a total area of more than 4 mln. km2 the GIS technology tools were used to construct the electron vector map of river basins and their interbasin spaces. The map thus obtained displays the basins of first-order rivers for a given level of generalization (sc 1:1 000 000). The GMTED2010 model was used as the digital elevation model. A total of 63 553 basin geosystems were identified on the map, averaging 68 km2 in area. Accuracy verification of identifying the basin boundaries showed a good agreement of areal and geometric characteristics of the method used with expert approach. In test areas, the men difference of the indicators of the area of the basins identified automatically and by use of the expert approach made up 3.6%. For areas with weakly dissected lowland topography this error does not exceed 5% while it is about 2% in areas with relatively dissected elevated topography. The basin geosystems thus identified are operational-territorial units with respect to which the geospatial data base is generated to characterize the natural-resource potential of the European territory of Russia. An example is provided for the generation of the geospatial database containing hydrological information covering 1763 hydrological stations collecting streamflow data.