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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

西伯利亚自然资源及其开发潜力

西伯利亚自然资源极其丰富,开发潜力巨大,在全俄乃至更高层次的区域中具有明显的竞争优势.根据国内外最新资料,对西伯利亚的能源、矿产资源、森林资源、水资源和水能资源的开发现状进行了详尽的分析,从开发面临的优势与劣势、机遇和挑战等方面对西伯利亚的自然资源开发潜力进行了探讨,并根据SWOT分析结果提出了西伯利亚自然资源开发的策略和建议.     

Dynamic types of denudation in island steppes of southern Siberia

Basic patterns of contemporary functioning of the denudation systems are presented for the areas of southern Siberia. The denudation triggering mechanism is elucidated, which is associated with the climate-induced alternation of the zonal and extreme phases of denudation cycles. Three regional types of denudation with a different directedness of relief-formation, controlled by the structure of climatic fluctuations, are considered.     

Quantitative assessment of the atmospheric circulation intensity in southern East Siberia

The monthly mean values of the 500-hPa geopotential height (NCEP/NCAR reanalysis database) have been used to calculate the values of the zonal and meridional circulation indices spanning the time interval 1949–2007 for southern East Siberia. An analysis is made of the variation in atmospheric circulation intensity over the study territory.     

蒙古国植被自然恢复潜力

植被自然恢复能力评估是生态恢复实践的重要内容.基于蒙古国的MODIS EVI植被指数产品、气象数据及土壤数据,依据相似生境原则,构建了植被恢复潜力计算模式,计算得到蒙古国植被恢复潜力值(VRP,可代表在自然条件下区域植被能够恢复到的最佳状况)及植被恢复潜力指数(VRPI,代表植被生长现状与最大潜力之间的差距),并用蒙古...     

The structure of denudation cycles in the forest-steppes of Middle Siberia

A comparison between the evidence from station-based investigations into contemporaneous denudation with the data on the structure of reference sections of the loess formation from the late Pleistocene revealed a hierarchical structure of denudation cycles in the submontane forest-steppes of Middle Siberia. It is established that an elementary 3–5-year cycle exhibits features typical of high-order cycles. Similarity features manifest themselves in the denudation mechanism, and in the sequence of phase change inside the cycles. A denudation cycle of any hierarchical level inheritedly from the late Pleistocene includes accumulation phases of Aeolian material, redistribution of matter by the slope processes, and of fluvial removal of matter from the system.     

Some aspects of ecological risks of nature management in southern Baikalian Siberia

The diverse environment-protective role of vegetation is highlighted in the context of economic development of southern territories of Baikalian Siberia. Results from geobotanical forecasting for the purpose of minimizing ecological risks of nature management are presented.     

Karst under natural and technogenically modified conditions in southern East Siberia

We outline the karst process with its surface and subterranean forms in natural and natural-technical geosystems in southern East Siberia. The activity of karst and its interrelationship with the other exogenous processes are demonstrated.     

Quantitative response of vegetation phenology to temperature and precipitation changes in Eastern Siberia

Significant changes to the world’s climate over the past few decades have had an impact on the development of plants. Vegetation in high latitude regions, where the ecosystems are fragile, is susceptible to climate change. It is possible to better understand vegetation’s phenological response to climate change by examining these areas. Traditional studies have mainly investigated how a single meteorological factor affects changes in vegetation phenology through linear correlation analysis, which...     

Glacial geosystems: Principles of self-organization

The self-organization processes of glacial geosystems are considered by using ice sheets as an example. The conveyor type of movement, i.e. the movement of the surface brittle layer due to the viscoplastic diffluence of the lower layer, has been identified and characterized for the first time. In this case, the movement of ice can also proceed across the horizontal surface through a decrease in its thickness, with an invariable volume of the lower-lying layers of ice under a pressure sufficient for viscoplastic deformation.     

The ecological potential of vegetation as a factor of nature management in Baikalian Siberia

We examine the theoretical and applied aspects related to the concept of the ecological potential of vegetation as an important factor for pursuing of the public environmental policy. Taking into consideration the ecological potential in the nature management system is essential. A map fragment illustrating the ecological potential of the Baikal region is provided.     

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.     

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.     

河北省中南部农田孢粉组合特征

The study on 82 surface soil pollen samples from different types of cultivated vegetations in central and southern parts of Hebei Province indicates that the pollen assemblages from farmlands in the plain have not only their own plant types, but also the pollen components from the nearby mountains. Arboreal pollen percentages and concentrations (dominated by Pinus) from farmlands in mountain area are higher than those in the plain, and it reduces gradually with the increasing distance away from the mountains. Taking Pinus pollen in Taihang Mountains as an example, its content is 20%-30%, 10%-20%, 20%-30% and below 16% respectively for the samples from the area of 0-50, 50-100, 100-150 and more than 150 km away from the east Taihang Mountains. The increase of Pinus pollen proportion in the central plain is probably related to the fohn effect. The spatial variation of AP from mountains to the plain in Hebei Province may be similar to the forests clearance by human activities in the early historical period. Shrubby pollen proportion is small both in mountains and in the plain, but their major components are different. Elaeagnaceae, Corylus, Ostryopsis and Oleaceae are common in mountain areas, while there are relatively high contents of Rosaceae and Vitaceae in the plain. Herbs content in the plain (about 60%) is 15% higher than that in mountains, among which the Cereals and Cruciferae pollen percentages are 5% and 2% higher respectively. Artemisia pollen percentage in the plain is lower than that in mountains. Since the human activities are weaker in mountains compared with that in the plain, the general trend is that Chenopodiaceae pollen increases from mountains to the plain gradually, reflecting the raising intensity of human activities. The fern spores of Selaginella sinensis in mountains are higher than that in the plain, but it still reaches to about 7% in the plain. The fern spores of Selaginella sinensis are not prone to be spread by wind, indicating that those in the surface soil of the plain may be carried by river water from mountains during the deposition of the plain.     

The erosion-accumulative processes within the basins of small rivers of southern East Siberia

The mean values of potential soil loss and of sediments that are removed from the gullies are calculated, and the data on the rates of erosion-accumulative processes on arable lands, in gully-dried-up river-bed systems are provided. For the Yelovka and Kuitunka rivers the basin component of the erosion-accumulative processes has been assessed qualitatively. The sequences of erosion loss to drainage basins of small rivers as well as of scouring and accumulation are determined.