AbstractModern processes of gully erosion and thermoerosion are clearly pronounced in the permafrost zone in the north of Western Siberia, on the Yamal Peninsula, including in the territories of new development. Under these conditions, knowledge of the gully potential is necessary for the rational siting of buildings and infrastructure in the areas of new development in order to avoid their damage

AbstractA landscape stability assessment is made for the major islands of the Empress Eugénie Archipelago. The landscapes are ranked according to groups of stability on the basis of an integrated numerical score for 17 indicators. It was found that the islands are dominated by landscapes of moderate stability, and by unstable landscapes. The islands are characterized by a significant differentiation

AbstractA natural resource zoning of the Far Eastern macro-region within the boundaries of the modern Far Eastern Federal District (Okrug) has been carried out. The zoning is based on identifying territorial combinations of natural resources from the presence of two types of inter-resource links: direct and indirect links of resourcecontaining components in natural geosystems, and indirect links of

AbstractAn analysis is made of the cyclone trajectories for 2003–2013 in order to gain insight into the influence of their genesis on the generation of the flow of wet depositions of acid-forming substances over the territory of Primorsky krai and a part of the water area of the Sea of Japan. All the cyclones crossing the region of interest during the period under investigation have been considered

AbstractThe investigations were made in the zone of influence of the Irkutsk UC RUSAL aluminum smelter. Soil cover on this territory is represented by gray medium and light loamy soils, with a small thickness of the humus profile. The stoichiometric formulas of solid mineral solutions, humic substances and components of soil solutions formed under the influence of technogenic load are calculated by

AbstractGeographical space is considered as a dual system of subspace of geophysical coordinates and subspace of component coordinates of the geosystems states. The theoretical and mathematical models of the interaction of these subspaces in terms of vector fields, wave equations and functions, eikonal equations and local sheaves of linear dependencies of meteorological parameters are developed. The

AbstractAn assessment is made of the lake resources of Russia in particular regions identified on the basis of the genetic principle, i. e. an approximate even-aged origin of most lake basins within the territory. It was determined that a little less than two-thirds of all water bodies are located on the coastal plains of the seas of the Arctic and Pacific Oceans, which account for one-fifth of the

AbstractContrary to a widely held view of transitional (intermediate) objects as being “noise” in a research process, the idea that transitional objects are essential elements of classifications, regionalizations, periodizations and other structural schemes is substantiated. The methodological basis for these propositions is provided by the concepts of descriptive and fuzzy sets and its underlying

AbstractThis article discusses the tasks and features of the organization of nature parks within the boundaries of the Baikal Natural Territory, the phenomenon of which is reflected in Russia’s only federal law of a natural site, Lake Baikal, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and the main purpose of which implies not only natural environment conservation but also a further development of the infrastructure

AbstractPresented are the results from investigating the environmental impact of the mining industry in the Baikal region and Mongolia where in accordance with the tripartite international agreements it is planned to create the China−Mongolia−Russia transport economic corridors. The investigation was made for the areas traversed by the sections of the transport and economic corridors: the Trans-Siberian

AbstractThis article is devoted to the geo-economic processes in modern Eurasia and their impact on the dynamics and localization of marine economic activity in the Russian Federation. The relevance of this issue is associated not only with the increasing influence of the marine factor on the economy and settlement patterns but also with the almost universal projection of the Eurasian integration processes

AbstractTo identify features in natural reforestation after abandonment of land, this paper considers the current state of 21 tracts of fallow lands of the Tunka depression (Republic of Buryatia). On the basis of a geobotanical analysis, the species composition of tree and ground covers was revealed during the overgrowing of arable land on the basis of the geobotanical analysis. The landscape specificity

It is shown that since the beginning of field development, a single natural and historical process of oil and gas generation and accumulation has been accompanied by the transformation of the entire complex of geological, biochemical, geochemical, thermobaric and hydrogeological environmental conditions and modern landscape genesis. Studying this process within the territory of leading oil and gas

Results of a long-term comprehensive study of the natural environment of Northeastern Cisbaikalia are presented. Some theoretical and practical issues of a cartographic study of topological-level geosystems are considered in terms of Academician V.B. Sochava’s theory of geosystems. We compiled the map of geosystems of the North-Baikal and Upper-Angara depressions displaying the ecological-dynamical

Maximum permissible concentrations for chemical elements in soils (MPCs) of Russia, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands and the USA are compared. In Russia, general sanitary, water-transferred and translocation MPCs are created; in Germany, general sanitary and translocation, and in the Netherlands, the USA and Canada, general sanitary. It is found that the Russian MPCs for total contents of chemical

The state and the prospects of implementation of major investment projects combined into the Eastern Gas Program have been analyzed. The terms of realization, the state of resources and the state of gas transportation system under the projects forming part of them are considered. It is shown that only one (Sakhalin) of four gas production centers foreseen in the program has an adequate infrastructure;

We calculated the water balance and investigated the mineralization of water in closed Lake Chany. the largest lake in Western Siberia in terms of its water area and of great ecological and fisheries importance. The most important natural characteristic of the lake is the cyclic fluctuation of the water level caused by the variability in the overall humidity of the Ob-Irtysh interfluve. The water level

We examine the geographical features in the distribution and the radiation parameters of radioactive rock dumps in the Elkon uranium ore area on the territory of South Yakutia. It is pointed out that the dumps under study are geomorphologically located on the Elkon horst which is a protrusion of crystalline basement rocks, towering over the territory of the Aldan highlands. It is found that most of

Socio-economic maps are essential for identifcation and system analysis of sectoral and territorial imbalances, ensuring the effective organization of productive forces, planning and forecasting of socioeconomic development of the territory. This paper presents the authors’ experience in creating and interpreting socio-economic maps in national and regional atlases, analyzes current trends in the development

The spatial distribution of total water vapor content over the Yamal Peninsula and adjacent territories was analyzed using data of four-year-long measurements from the European Envisat satellite during warm periods of the year (June-August). Special attention was given to water vapor variations at the transition from little to abundant water-bearing areas of the underlying surface. It was found that

We examine the landscape structural features of the Mukhtel lowland and the mountains surrounding it on the southwestern coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. An analysis is made of the main formation factors for modern landscapes and for the structure of vegetation as the main indicator of its spatial organization. The influence of the landscape inversion is determined, which manifests itself in the formation

Presented are the results from investigating the atmospheric self-purification capacity over the cities of Irkutsk, Beijing and Ulaanbaatar for the summer and winter seasons of 2017–2018. The meteorological potential of the atmosphere (MPA) was used as the criterion for assessing the atmospheric self-purification. It is shown that in the summer season of 2017 the favorable meteorological conditions

We substantiate the use of the previously developed methods to classify sections of the largest river (Lena) from the types of channel processes and special aspects of their management, i. e. water resource use, exploitation of the river as the water transport way, development of riverine areas and construction of river crossings for service lines. For assessing the complexity of river channel reconfguration

The economic significance of the historical and cultural potential, including the field-established geographical centers of the regions, is revealed. The advantages and disadvantages of the methods of determining the geographical centers of territories are considered. Their relationship with geionformation systems is determined. It was found that the software of these systems has the functionality

We compared the dynamics of development of tourism in the European part of Russia on the example of Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Kaliningrad oblast, Krasnodar krai, Stavropol krai, the southern regions of Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East for the period from 2009 to 2017. It has been found that a combination of factors in the attractiveness of tourist services during that period increased in all

This article examines the attitude of the Russian society toward the Russian-Chinese relations in general and toward the One Belt — One Road (OBOR) megaproject in particular. An analysis is made of the Russian scientific, official and expert discourse, based on methods of critical geopolitics, as well as investigating the grass-roots ideas concerning China and the OBOR Initiative. It is found that

A study and mapping of habitats of wild and synanthropic animal species was carried out on the model research site of the Baikal Nature Reserve’ in order to develop methods and conduct zoological tourism on their basis. This type of tourism promotes the preservation of the maximum possible diversity of animal species composition and habitat. The focus of the investigations is on recreational development

Data from the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) were used in investigating long-term variability of anomalies of the total amount of atmospheric precipitation within the Selenga river basin in July. We identified several long periods (four years and longer) with negative precipitation anomalies: 1935–1939, 1955–1958, 1977–1981, 2007–2011, and 2013–2017. The last period is characterized

We examine the fundamental tenets of the theory of geochemical barriers and their role in landscapes associated with an intensification of migration processes caused by an enhancement in anthropogenic activity, including in the sphere of industrial production. Observational evidence indicates that the flow of multiple elements in the form of substances, which is produced by the aluminum smelters of

We examine the current problems of Lake Baikal level regulation. A comparative analysis is made of the changes in the lake level, the range of its fluctuations and in the intra-annual amplitude for the 120-year-long period of observations in natural and regulated conditions. The period 2014–2017 with an extremely low water level is analyzed. It is pointed out that the inconsistency between existing

A specific feature of the term “transboundary” is defined, which is usually perceived as an opportunity to overcome the borders separating the territory, and is used as opposed to the “frontier” objects adjacent to the border but not crossing it. Transboundary interstate territories are discussed, where only regulated activities may be carried out, such as nature conservation in solving the problem

This paper presents results of wildfire studies conducted Transbaikalia over the last five decades. Station-based experimental investigations into fire hazards of vegetation accomplished at the regional forest fire stations during those years covered all altitudinal vegetation zones, representative landscape localities and forest types. Route investigations were made in different natural areas. Arial

An analysis is made of the investments in fixed capital at the regional and municipal level in Irkutsk oblast, the Republic of Buryatia and Zabaikalskii krai. On the basis of the average indicators considered, the conclusion is drawn about the general lag of the Baikal region from Siberia and Russia over the course of the last several decades. Population changes in municipal districts and urban districts

We examine the composition of metals in the waters of the southern tributaries of Lake Baikal as well as comparing it with the composition of metals in bottom sediments and calculating the water migration coefficients of metals. The territory of the southern part of the lake drainage basin was regionalized according to the ability to ensure a particular water composition. The contribution from the

A brief geographical description is provided for Lake Khanka and its drainage basin where the Russian part accounts for more than 90% of the area. Sixteen rivers on the Russian territory and eight rivers on the Chinese territory flow into the lake. Only one river, Sungacha, flows out of the lake; it is a border river and connects Lake Khanka with the Ussuri river. A historical analysis of the water

The paper gives characteristics of natural and anthropogenic factors responsible for the geoecological situation inside the boundaries of the floodplain-terrace complex of the Tuul river within Ulaanbaatar. Among them, the geological structure and orography (occurrence in the intermontane depression), the specific character of climate-forming (frequent temperature inversions) and hydrological (mainly

A theoretical framework for environmental impact assessment of economic activity is formulated by using methods of mathematical modeling and thematic mapping. Theoretically, environment is considered as a surface of variety (manifold), linking various factors and conditions. Tangential planes to the surface correspond to any natural systems (ecosystems), individual according to their connections with

Relationships of the results of the 2016 State Duma election (the share of voters who supported each of the three main political parties) for the federal subjects of Russia with three indicators have been analyzed. The first indicator are the socio-economic phenomena at the regional level. The second indicator refers to the results of the same election at the level of macroregions to which the respective

The activity-geospatial approach as one of the most powerful interdisciplinary approaches in geopolitical research is considered. It provides a means of studying political phenomena in terms of the geospatial organization and self-organization of society, including its geopolitical organization. The key to this lies with the “geopolitical relation” category. It implies a unity of political activity

This article analyzes the current state and relevance of using landscape-geochemical mapping. A case study for southern Russia is presented, with a focus on the principles of the geochemical landscape typology, the compilation methodology and the main areas of practical implementation of particular maps. An analysis is made of the major landscape-forming factors for the south of Russia and the methods

The objective of this study is to make an analysis of the natural characteristics of the mountain territories in Southern Siberia as part of the development of the technique for assessing the ecological potential of geosystems by using the central part of the Oka Plateau as an example. A brief description of the relief and exogenous processes is provided for three geomorphological regions: Okinsko-Sorokskii

This paper focuses on identifying adverse processes of relief formation by ascertaining the transformation mechanisms of floodplain-channel complexes for different types of economic impact. Within the lower reaches if a number of tributaries of the upper reach of the Angara river, the specific features in the modern functioning of valley geosystems undergoing long-term industrial development are considered

We examined the relationships between the dynamics of surface inflow into Lake Baikal and the runoff of the main tributaries of the Baikal drainage basin and regional and global circulation parameters to determine the role of certain of the meteorological factors in the current low water level within the Baikal catchment area. A decrease or an increase in the runoff of Baikal’s rivers in the summer

A crucial issue in atmospheric studies on greenhouse gas content involves assessing the representativeness (footprint) having influence on their concentrations measured by tall towers. In this study, the Stochastic Time-Inverted Lagrangian Transport (STILT) model was used to estimate seasonal cumulative footprint climatology for greenhouse gases measurements obtained on the 301-meter-high Zotino Tall

This article deals with spatio-temporal changes in methane emission from the surface of the Mozhaisk reservoir. Seasonal changes in methane content and flux were revealed for different morphological areas of the reservoir, based on field observation data obtained in 2015–2018. In the low-flow Mozhaisk reservoir, the methane content in the boundary and bottom layers of the deep-water areas at the end

The present level of external nutrient load and its separate parts on the Kuibyshev reservoir — the largest one on the Eurasian continent, was estimated. The mathematic model for calculating mean annual input of nitrogen and phosphorus from river drainage areas of non-homogeneous structure, and load on water bodies was developed. The main components of the load are the nonpoint nutrient emission by

We examine the debris flow activity in Trans-Ili Alatau since 1900 till the present. Characteristics of the debris flow formation conditions and data on the largest debris flows are presented. A study is made of the interannual and intra-annual variability of debris flow activity. The debris flow activity was characterized by the number of debris flows in a year, and by the total volume of debris transported

Use of hydrooptical characteristics in monitoring the reservoir ecosystem is investigated. Two basic characteristics which are most commonly used for purposes of ecological monitoring having regard to information content and ease of measurements are considered: the beam attenuation coefficient ε, the and Secchi disc depth ZSD. Theoretical analysis shows a relationship of ε and ZSD with content of suspended

The redistribution of sediments in the Kuda river basin as a result of erosion-accumulation processes is investigated from the systems perspective. The current geodynamic position of the basin associated with the transition zone from the Siberian platform to the Baikal rift is emphasized. The contribution of cryogenic, karst and aeolian processes to the mobilization of matter in the system is considered

With a view to conducting a comprehensive assessment of pollution of the water bodies within the Lake Baikal drainage basin using dimensionless indicators of the water chemical composition, the problems of identifying and testing the indicators were dealt with, which are necessary for determining the sources and levels of pollution and assessing the contributions of the tributaries to lake pollution

Presented are the results from analyzing the dynamics of the ethnic mosaic index of the Russian regions between the population censuses of 1959 and 2010, with a division into two periods: the late Soviet period (until 1989) and the post-Soviet era. In the late Soviet period, the growth of polyethnicity embraced 55% of the regions of the RSFSR. They were mostly Russian regions that experienced an influx

We examine the issues concerning the perception and transformation of transport accessibility in interrelatedness and interdependency with the different ways of life: nomadic, rural and urban. The analysis used data of field investigations obtained by these authors in 2017 in Yakutsk, and during 2009–2017 in Aldan and in the Verkhnekolymskii, Nizhnekolymskii, Neryungrinskii, Olenekskii and Srednekolymskii

The unique landscape features of the Kingdom of Bhutan, associated with contrasting topography, abrupt height differences at short distances and with large amounts of monsoon precipitation in the summer time, are considered. The main feature in the landscapes of this region is determined: exceptional diversity of vegetation cover and animals. An analysis is made of the subtropical, temperate and alpine

The geo-ontology principles of identifying the functional connectivity of all components of the socio-biological system have been used as the basis for developing a unified and scientifically rigorous methodology of preprocessing epidemiological information and its preparation for further use. The specific features in epidemiological information are highlighted as well as the need for territorial linkage

A study is made of the present-day levels of global 137Cs deposition in permafrost soils of the tundra and taiga zones of Yakutia. It is shown that the reserves of 137Cs in the soils of Yakutia vary over a significant range according to the landscape and climatic features of the territory. The largest amount of 137Cs is contained in soils of the mountain areas (Aldan Highlands and Ulakhan-Chistai Range)

Presented are the results from investigating carbon balance in forests of the transboundary Selenga river basin, based on inventory data for the status of forest reserves and he key factors (tree felling and forest fires) influencing carbon absorption and emission in forests. Analysis of the forest reserves in the Buryat and Mongolian parts of the Selenga river basin revealed distinctive features in

For the first time, the connection between the formation of the ultra-high pressure ice dam on the Chuya-Kurai glacier-dammed lake and the development of aufeis processes on the Chuya river was substantiated. Consideration is given to the mechanisms of self-regulation in the process of glacier-dammed lake self-freezing as a consequence of a consequence of synchronous processes of Chuya river aufeis

We examine the different approaches in assessing the water quality of water bodies located within the territories with a significant human-induced impact. The hydrological region of Norilsk was used as a test site. The data used in the analysis characterize the period between 2001 and 2003; however, they are still relevant because of a high level of human-induced impact on water bodies. For the purposes

This article outlines an original approach to analyzing the development of the system of spatial nature conservation, and the system itself is shown as a distinctive phenomenon of natural, socio-cultural and economic genesis. Emphasis is placed on institutional, structural and material changes within systems characterized by a set of factors, actors, trajectories and vectors. The factors include the

This article deals with the geographical aspects of international trade and foreign investment at the turn of the 20th century. These issues of historical geography of the world economy are poorly explored in national science. It is shown that the widely held views of the critical importance of the colonies in foreign economic relations of the parent states are unsubstantiated and are not statistically