The discrete spatial and temporal variability of the geosystem characteristics at the regional level (geomes) on the territory of Baikal Siberia has been theoretically and statistically studied. The concepts and equations of a unified quantum theory aimed at a fractional description of processes and phenomena in terms of the functional state of geomes in the Hilbert space of the superposition of functions of the altitude distribution of geosystems were used. Frequency distributions by elevation gradations were determined based on the combination of an electronic geome map and a digital terrain model. Geomes differ in modal height values corresponding to their highest occurrence – optimal conditions of existence in the territory. Distributions are transformed into indicators of integrated hazard, which are statistically transformed into information functions of through quantum theory. The coefficients of variability of these functions in terms of location height are quantized, differ by geomes, which is confirmed by the results of theoretical analysis. A map of the quantum levels of spatial and temporal variability of the geomes of Baikal Siberia and a scheme of spatial and temporal transitions between quantum levels (geomes) are constructed. The methods of forecasting the dynamics and evolution of geosystems are substantiated and new procedures for calculating the quantum variability of the temporal and spatial position of geomes are proposed.
The article presents the results of assessing the role of the forests of the Trans-Baikal Territory and the National Park “Chikoy” in the absorption of atmospheric carbon. The calculations were performed based on the data of the state forest registry on the species and age composition of forest stands for 2005-2021 using a technique that takes into account growth coefficients. The obtained quantitative estimates of the role of the region՚s forests in carbon sequestration confirm the need to expand the area of protected areas and ensure sustainable forest management in order to preserve this ecosystem function of the forests of Transbaikalia.
The research was carried out in the Baikal region, in its northeastern part – in the Barguzinsky ridge. This is a specially protected area of the Baikal region (Barguzinsky Reserve, which requires scientifically based environmental management planning with the study of landscape components individually and as a whole, as well as the creation of landscape maps that reflect the current state of these landscapes. The landscape structure of the ridge is dominated by alpine geosystems. In the key area, char and mountain taiga forests occupy equal areas. At the latter, vegetation was studied in detail as the most quickly responsive component to various changes. In total, about forty detailed geobotanical descriptions were made. The 1:50,000 scale landscape map was created as a result of field work, analysis of satellite images and topographic maps. At the topological level, the map displays the landscape structure of the facies rank.
Lake Gusinoye is the largest lake in the Baikal natural territory after Lake. Baikal, around which the Gusnoozersky industrial complex is formed. In the macrophyte flora of the lake. 27 species from 21 families have been identified. The spatial structure of vegetation is determined by the morphometric characteristics of the lake's littoral zone. The northern and southern sectors of the lake are the most overgrown. Compared to previous years of research, an increase in the area of charophyte and moss thickets was revealed. The progressive overgrowing of the lake helps to maintain the processes of self-purification of the ecosystem, removes pollutants and nutrients from circulation and ensures the sustainable development of the ecosystem. The ability of the lake ecosystem to maintain the overall level of productivity due to restructuring of the structure is also evidenced by data on other communities of hydrobionts (zooplankton, zoobenthos and ichthyocenoses). The results of our studies of the chemical composition of macrophytes of Lake. Gusinoe showed, in comparison with the data of the 90s, the concentrations of chemical elements in macrophytes decreased. The recorded ecological state of the lake is determined by a complex of factors, both natural and natural (water level, temperature rise, littoral morphometry, chemical composition of water).
In modern geopolitical conditions, tourism development in the Far East is included in Russia’s strategic agenda. At the state level, a set of unprecedented measures aimed at developing the tourism industry in the macroregion has been launched. This article examines the specifics of implementing the federal agenda for the integrated development of tourism in the Far East with a case study of the Republic of Buryatia, located in the Baikal Natural Territory and part of the Far Eastern Federal District since 2018. The article presents the key measures of state tourism policy with respect to the Far East, the main directions and mechanisms of state regulation, and support of tourism in the Republic of Buryatia. It is shown the territorial structure of tourist and recreational activities in the region is changing. The research is based on legislative and regulatory documents, national projects and state programs, scientific publications, information and statistical data from various official sources at the federal and regional levels, and Internet sources. The results of the study indicate that the Republic of Buryatia is actively improving its own regional policy for tourism development, using new approaches and progressive instruments of state support. Tourism in Buryatia has recovered from the COVID shock and is developing quite successfully in the conditions of modern reality. This confirms not only the priority Far Eastern vector of tourism, but also the sufficiency of the efforts of the region, which actively participates in all competitive selections for federal financial support. At the same time, a significant increase in the number of accommodation facilities and tourist flow without insufficient consideration of environmental factors in investment and economic activities may result in increased environmental degradation. The article proposes measures to improve tourism policy in line with the strategic objectives of tourism development in the Republic of Buryatia and preservation of the unique Lake Baikal ecosystem.
Based on data from 7 meteorological stations, the main parameters (surface air temperature, precipitation, aridity and humidification indices) characterizing climate trends for 1950–2021 were considered on the territory of the Selenga midlands (The Republic of Buryatia), and their influence on river flow and radial growth of Scots pine. A significant increase in surface air temperature is shown, occurring with a high degree of consistency at different weather stations. The average value of the linear trend for the territory for the general period was 2.1°C. The most intense increase in temperature and increase in the frequency of above-zero anomalies has been observed in the last 11 years (2011–2021). In the precipitation regime during the study period, two complete moistening cycles were identified (1961–1981 and 1982–2018) lasting 21 and 37 years. Currently, there is a humid phase, which began in 2019. An increase in temperature leads to increased aridity of the region, which is especially noticeable during the arid phases. The cyclicity characteristic of the precipitation regime is also manifested in long-term changes in river flow. The river’s water flows are most dependent on precipitation. Selenga. However, the synchronicity of their changes is not observed throughout the entire time series. In the precipitation regime, the phase of reduced moisture at the beginning of the 21st century is not as clearly expressed as in the runoff regime. The same differences were revealed in the flow regime of different rivers, which is due to the location of their catchment areas. The watersheds of only two rivers — Dzhida and Orongoy — are located entirely in the Selenga midlands. Most of the catchments of the Selenga and Chikoy rivers are located outside the study area. This circumstance determines to a large extent the good consistency of long-term changes in the water flows of these rivers and the differences from the river flow regime. Orongoya and especially r. Jids. The dynamics of the width of the annual rings of Scots pine trees growing in the Selenga midlands reflects changes in its hydrothermal regime during the current and previous growing seasons. The influence of atmospheric precipitation is pronounced, so the amount of precipitation for May–June explains about 40% of the increase for the residual (without autocorrelation component) tree-ring chronology.
The geoecological situation in the natura-technical geoecosystems of Baikal Asia is complicated by the invasion of alien species. Information about the Baikal endemic amphipod Gmelinoides fasciatus that penetrated into the cooling reservoir of the Chita TPP-1 is insufficient to assess the current geoecological situation in the benthic subsystem of the cooling reservoir. The purpose of our research of the study was to identify the geoecological features and functions of Gm. fasciatus affecting the geoecological situation in the benthic subsystem of the Chita TPP-1 cooling reservoir. In 2022–2023 the Gm. fasciatus distribution, size structure of the population and elemental composition have been studied in Kenon Lake. It is established that Gm. fasciatus has settled the coastal zone of the lake, the size and structure of the population indicate its stability. The P content in the crude mass of Gm. fasciatus in the lake is 29.7 kg, Ca — 444 kg, Cu — 0.28 kg. Due to the Gm. fasciatus invasion in Kenon Lake, in the monitoring and management system of the cooling reservoir, it is now possible to use a new indicator of the state of the bottom subsystem. Invasion of the amphipod Gm. fasciatus entailed a change in the geoecological situation in the cooling reservoir of Chita TPP-1 — Kenon Lake.
The paper presents the results of the study on icings in the Selenga middle mountains (Western Transbaikalia). Current and retrospective maps of their distribution have been drawn up, relevant data on the main morphometric characteristics, interannual spatial dynamics, and area variability have been obtained. Comparison of vector data on the location of the icings in different years, together with the materials obtained during field expedition studies, allowed us to preliminary assess their belonging to different genetic types. It has been established that in the Selenga Middle Mountains, the predominant icings are formed as a result of groundwater rise to the surface during the seasonal freezing of rocks. About 30% of the icings are associated with groundwater sources coming from deep aquifers (key icings), river water icings are very rare. The interannual variability of the size of icings is in sync with the hydration cycles, at the same time, there is a tendency for an increase in the total number of icings. At the same time, the number of very large icings has decreased 2 times as compared to 1990, while the number of medium and small icings has increased. These trends are a consequence of changes in the state of the natural environment under the influence of climatic processes (increase in air temperature) and anthropogenic factors, which influence on the intensity of the icing formation processes in the Selenga Middle Mountains is significant.
The dynamics of indicators of a number of natural factors from 1970 to 2022 in the subjects of the Baikal region: air temperature, annual precipitation, water resources, and forest area affected by fires are considered in the article. A correlation analysis was carried out between the presented components in the territory under consideration, which revealed the strength of dependence from medium negative to highly positive. The results of the work carried out can be one of the bases for natural and economic regulation in the territory under consideration, predictive assessments of the dynamics of natural processes for their consideration in the complex of natural and socio-economic processes, as well as in planning and forecasting socio-economic activities in the territory of the subjects of the Baikal region.
The purpose of this study is to identify the spatial dynamics of the population of the territories of the south of Baikal Siberia (Irkutsk region, Republic of Buryatia and Trans-Baikal Territory). The study was conducted using statistical, cartographic and comparative geographical methods; The units of statistical observation are urban districts and municipal areas. The main results are the identification of the main urbanized areas and transport corridors in places of maximum population concentration. Thus, the demographic potential of the Irkutsk part of the Trans-Siberian transport corridor accounts for more than half of the region’s population. The influence of the level of development and location of productive forces on the demographic situation and the transformation of settlement systems is assessed. Geographical aspects of spatial development are expressed in the strengthening of two partially overlapping gradients of population and production concentration: mainline-peripheral and central-peripheral. Currently, agglomeration effects prevail over highways, but all agglomerations operate on highways. Modern market conditions, through increased economic contrasts, the strengthening of the role of the most important highways and agglomerations, and the degradation of local infrastructure, affect the demographic situation.
The results of studies of soil flushing and accumulation in the period 2009–2017 in the northern part of the Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe in areas with high intensity of erosive and accumulative processes are presented. A wide range of erosion values from meltwater has been established – from 0.4 to 25 mm for the spring period. The results of the application of a refined Regional model for calculating potential flushing for the northern part of the Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe are presented. The analysis of meteorological factors and conditions of the underlying surface affecting the distribution of values of melt runoff, flushing and accumulation of soils on arable massifs located on inclined watershed surfaces is carried out: the specificity of the distribution of meltwater flows determines the formation of zones of extreme erosion along the perimeter of arable land in the lower parts of the slope – up to 15–20 mm of soil layer. In conditions of low slope steepness, the effect of relief on erosion is largely determined by the high slope lengths and melt water flow lines. The distribution of flushing values over the area of arable land shows a close correlation with the values of snow accumulation and soil moisture. The spatial and temporal patterns of the influence of the previous autumn soil moisture on the intensity of erosion have been established: the values of flushing increase with increasing soil moisture, the average values of erosion correlate with the values of autumn soil moisture in dynamics over the years of field observations. Special soil protection measures have been proposed for sites with the most intensive flushing in the research area.
The northern regions of the Irkutsk oblast have been prone to fires in recent decades as a result of oil and gas and infrastructure development, as well as changing climatic conditions. Geoinformation mapping and analysis of the spatial structure of the vegetation cover of two key areas located in the area of the Vershina Khandy village and the village of Tokma for two time slices: 2013–2014 and 2018–2019 (before and after active forest fires, mainly in 2016 and 2017) was carried out. Mapping was done using the Random Rorest supervised classification method, Landsat 8 space images. As a result, 10 classes of vegetation cover were identified on the territory. It is shown that in the territories in 2013–2014 coniferous (light coniferous – pine-larch, larch-pine, less often dark coniferous – cedar and spruce) forests prevailed, as well as mixed coniferous-deciduous and deciduous forests and swamps. From 2013 to 2019, more than 20% of Tokma and more than 5% of Khanda key area was covered by fires. Mostly coniferous forests, as well as ernik bogs in the Tokma area were burning.
The problems of negative ecological changes of Vorobyovy Gory Nature Reserve associated with visual pollution of its territory, which simultaneously performs environmental and recreational functions, were considered. In particular, two of its aspects were distinguished: information and light pollution. Their implications for the environment and humans were analyzed. The methods of quantitative assessment of these implications were given, the issues of objectivity of information pollution assessments were discussed. Based on instrumental measurements of light pollution, a map of its distribution on the territory of the nature reserve was made. The risks of visual pollution of this territory associated with the loss of its natural and cultural heritage were indicated. Ways of regulating visual pollution were proposed.
The purpose of the study is to identify the features of ethno-demographic processes in Crimea during the first two decades of the 21st century. The work is based on statistical and cartographic research methods. The nature of ethno-demographic processes in the territory of Crimea in the period between the population censuses of 2001 and 2021, which saw a change in the political subjectivity of the peninsula, was determined by the growth in the number and share of the Russian and Crimean Tatar population. At the same time, there was a significant reduction in the size and proportion of the Ukrainian population, caused by both migration outflow and a change in ethnic identity. In addition, the study was able to identify an important spatiotemporal component of ethnodemographic processes in Crimea during this period – the increasing concentration of the main ethnic communities (Russians, Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars) in the southern part of the peninsula.
The little-known Yenisei Expedition of 1905 led by I.S. Sergeyev, K.V. Ivanov, and I.I. Islyamov is examined and described. Based on the study of archival documents, the preparation of the expedition in the highest state institutions of the Russian Empire and the specific circumstances of its journey from European seaports to the Russian river port in Yeniseisk are demonstrated. The significance of the expedition is analyzed in connection with its contemporary realities. An assessment of the importance of the waterway along the Yenisei River is also provided, which connects not only the South and North but also the West and East of Russia. The special role of certain participants, particularly I.I. Islyamov, who played a notable role in the geographical exploration of Russia but remained little-known to the general public and even many specialists, is emphasized.
For the past few years, the Institute of Limnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences has been conducting geological and geomorphological studies of the bottom of Lake Ladoga. Starting from 2018, underwater photo and video cameras developed at the Institute began to be used in these studies. The use of this new research tool led to the discovery of a number of new facts about the structure of the bottom of Lake Ladoga. In particular, at the bottom of the northern part of Lake Ladoga, three subvertical ledges were found, composed of bedrock, up to 70–100 meters high. According to a number of features, such as the bedrock composition of rocks, morphology and spatial correspondence to known fault zones, these ledges can be recognized as morphological expressions of tectonic objects – faults of presumably fault type. The absence of visible traces of glacial processing on the bedrock blocks suggests the Holocene age of the formation of these ledges and, accordingly, the existence of modern active tectonic movements in the area of Lake Ladoga.
Abstract—In present research results of Lake Ladoga bottom morphology analysis are presented. Semi-automated instrumental classification of digital bathymetric model with application of geomorphometric parameters was executed to achieve the goal. Bathymetric position index and slope were used as classifiers. As a result, 8 types of surfaces were distinguished, which were mapped on the morphological scheme. Plains, slopes and linear top (ridges, heights) and bottom (hollows, depressions) were distinguished. Combinations of such elements allow to contour 3 zones which correlate to morphostructural areas: South-Ladoga, Central-Ladoga, North-Ladoga. Differences of these zones depend on both lake’s basin geological structure and exogenous factors of Late-Pleistocene-Holocene (glacial, glacial lacustrine processes). The suggested approach proves high efficiency for Lake Ladoga greatly variable morphology study.
Abstract—On the basis of long-term field and analytical research, the response of the channels of different rivers to one of the types of mechanical impact on rivers – the in-stream mining – is considered. The nature and rates of the response of the river channels of free-flowing and regulated rivers to the in-stream mining, disturbance extent of the channel morphology and the rivers hydrological regime are revealed. The purpose of the work is to assess the possibilities of in-stream mining and allowable mine’s sizes which bases on the general principles of the theory of fluvial processes, and to minimize the negative effects of given mechanical disturbances on rivers and floodplains
Abstract—A method for calculating the complex index of the eco-geomorphological hazard of mining territories according to their influence on the ecological situation in the Baikal region is proposed. The described approach makes it possible to characterize in detail the consequences of mining for the ecological situation in the region. The proposed assessment takes into account not only the area of disturbed lands, but also other factors affecting the possibility of transport of pollutants and the degree of their hazard (in particular, the type of raw material extracted, the geomorphological position of the mining territories, the degree of the anthropogenic transformation of landscapes, the composition of anthropogenic deposits and the degree of reclamation of disturbed lands). To test the methodology, the complex index of the eco-geomorphological hazard of lands disturbed by mining was calculated for municipalities of the Baikal region for 2020. Municipalities were ranked according to the value of the complex index and a corresponding map was compiled.
Abstract—Based on year-round measurements of water temperature at an autonomous station (an anchored chain equipped with temperature sensors), the features of the temperature and ice regimes of the Petrozavodsk Bay of Onega Lake in modern climatic conditions were studied; the dates and duration of the main hydrological phenomena in the water area of the bay were specified. In the abnormally warm winter of 2019–2020, the water area of the Petrozavodsk Bay was not completely covered with ice for the first time in a long period of observations; in the area of the measurement station, ice fields were observed from late January to mid-March. The duration of ice-covered period in the next two winters was 3.5 and 5 months. Data were obtained on the timing of the onset and duration of the spring under-ice convection, a phenomenon that plays an important role in the thermal regime of the lake at the end of winter. It is shown that 2016, 2021 and 2022 spring under-ice convective mixing lasted 4–6.5 weeks, covering the entire water column by the end of ice period. Mixing of the water column after breaking the ice (spring homothermy) continued for another 3–4 weeks. In the spring of 2020, under-ice convection was not observed; spring overturn continued for two months from mid-March to mid-May. The dates of the upward transition of water temperature through 4°C in the years of measurements (5–19 May) were ahead of the long-term average by 2–3 weeks (end of May). Thermal stratification was established from 12 to 27 May and existed for 3–3.5 months. Complete mixing of the water mass of the bay took place in late August–early September, and then, until ice settling, the water column cooled in a state of homothermy. Immediately before ice formation, the water temperature dropped to very low values and did not exceed 0.1°С in the water column. The period with an average daily water temperature of the surface layer of the Petrozavodsk Bay above 10°C lasted from 121 to 144 days during the years of measurements.
