Mapping of the Central ecological zone of the Baikal Natural Territory in accordance with the landscape-hydrological environmental protection and water-ecological functions of natural complexes
O.V. GAGARINOVA1,2, I.A. BELOZERTSEVA1,2, M.Y. OPEKUNOVA1,2,3, A.V. BARDASH3
1V.B. Sochava Institute of Geography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
2V.M. Matrosov Institute of System Dynamics and Control Theory, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
3Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Irkutsk, Russia
Keywords: landscape, soils, surface waters, vegetation, flow regulation, exogenous processes
Abstract
Landscape-hydrological zoning and mapping of the Central Ecological Zone of the Baikal Natural Territory has been performed in accordance with the runoff-regulating functions of landscapes, which determine the transformation of precipitation into surface and groundwater runoff, conditions for the redistribution of runoff seasonally, reduction of peaks of floods and improvement of water quality. The runoff-regulating level of landscapes is determined by the structure of the vegetation cover, the structure of the soil-ground layer and morphological characteristics. These structural parameters determine the environmental protection and water-ecological functions of the natural complex, which are expressed in water protection, soil protection, anti-erosion, anti-avalanche and other properties of the territory. Orographic elements and types of landscapes play a leading role in the spatial landscape-hydrological differentiation of the territory. The individual landscape-hydrological characteristics of the natural complexes of the districts are substantiated by a comprehensive analysis of forest-growing and geo-morphological features, structural and typological characteristics of soils. The purpose of zoning is identify natural complexes with various landscape and hydrological functions that reflect the intensity of drainage, water-ecological potential and environmental conditions of the territory. The performed zoning of the Central Ecological Zone of the BNT is based on the analysis of cartographic, analytical and expedition materials, as well as the results of previously performed landscape-hydrological, geo-morphological and soil studies within the boundaries of the Baikal natural territory. The constructed landscape-hydrological map shows areas with different morphological, soil-vegetation and hydrological conditions. These natural conditions characterize the level of runoff regulation, the intensity of soil migration of matter, the danger of erosion and mudflow processes, and, as a result, show areas with different environmental protection and water-ecological properties.
|
