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.     

Differentiation of subtaiga landscapesin the Western Transbaikalia

A study is made of the northern spurs of the Tsagan-Daban Range in the Transbaikalia which are represented by Central-Asian and North-Asian taiga geosystems. The investigations of landscape structure were made in two key areas characterized by an alternation of mountain ranges and intermontane depressions (creek valleys).     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Structural-typological characteristics and ecological potential of the Baikal region’s geosystems

We outline the methods and results of cartographic analysis and assessment the present state of a large region’s geosystems: their structural, functional and functional-value characteristics have been revealed. Drawing on the notion of epiformations, we determined the ecological potential of geosystems at the regional level for nature management purposes. A fragment of the typological general-purpose interpretation map “Ecological potential of the Baikal region’s geosystems” is presented.     

Reconstructing the development of the geosystems of the Primorsky Range during the latter half of the Holocene

We examine the sequence of changes in the structure of the geosystems of the Primorsky Range (Baikal region) for the last 6000 years, based on a continuous recording of fluctuations of the vegetation reconstructed from spore-pollen complexes of a high peat bog. We determined the chronological timeframe of paleogeographical events. The study showed that there occurred a radical structure transformation of the geosystems in the mid-late Holocene, along with a recurrence of similar landscape transformations caused by the instability of natural conditions.     

Landscape-ecological forecasts from computational models and palaeoreconstructions (using the Volga basin as an example)

Presented is the predictive topo-ecological concept, based on empirical-statistical models of geosystems. Using the geosystems of the Volga basins as an example, this study considers the mechanisms of local and regional response to the global warming expected in the 21st century. A general process of “savannization” of mixed and broad-lived forests is predicted for the Middle band of the Russian Plain with the development of the thermoarid climatic trend. The prognostic non-representativity of the known palaeographical scenarios of the warm epochs during the Pleistocene and Holocene is demonstrated.     

Structural-dynamical analysis of the state of the biota of soils in urbanized geosystems (Exemplified by the City of Sayanogorsk)

We report the results from investigating the ecological state of the urbanized geosystems in the city of Sayanogorsk. A comparative analysis is made of the structure of zoocenoses against the natural and anthropogenically disturbed soils predominating in the region. We examine the transformation conditions for soil cover and the ecologically important factors influencing the state of soil-biotic communities. The study revealed a negative influence of urban pressure on the population and biomass of invertebrate animals and demonstrated the possibilities of using the structure and quantitative characteristics of zoocenoses in biodiagnostics of changes of steppe geosystems under the influence of anthropogenic factors.     

Functional organization of vegetation in the system of cartographic forecasting

Presented are the results from the assessment stage of forecasting-cartographic investigations into the vegetation in the Angara-Lena interfluve. An assessment is made of the main (preferred) and secondary ecological functions of vegetation within the geosystems. We demonstrate their changes with respect to native (reconstructed) vegetation.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

贝加尔地区萨彦山东部Jom-Bolok火山谷湖泊古环境研究（英文）

This article describes the lake basins of the Jom-Bolok volcanic region in the East Sayan(the largest manifestation of the Holocene eruptions in Central Asia). The geomorphological position, origins, aspects of the structure and development are reviewed considering its sedimentary filling. The limnic morphogenesis here develops under the conditions of contrasting relief, high energy of neotectonic and exogenous processes. We established that Lake Khara-Nur, formed as a result of lava-damming of the Jom-Bolok river valley, emerged in its present form approximately 6500 years ago. A complex record on the environment and climatic changes, acquired from its sediments, made it possible to determine for the first time in this region the long-term trends in the development of the Middle and Late Holocene mountain geosystems and also the distinction of several paleogeographic stages of the formation of the natural environment. An average geochemical record resolution for the bottom sediments of the lake was made uniquely for the East Siberian lake records and is equal to 35 years, while the palynological record approximates 110 years.     

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.