Izvestiâ Russkogo geografičeskogo obŝestva
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«Proceedings of the Russian Geographical Society» is the oldest Russian geographical journal in Russia and one of the most authoritative scientific geographical journals in the world. It has been published since 1865.
The structure of the journal includes: original articles reflecting the results of the latest geographical research; discussions; reviews; chronicle.
«Proceedings of the Russian Geographical Society» provides a platform for discussing topical problems and controversial issues of geographical science. Preference is given to articles and reports, the content of which may be of interest to a wide range of geographers and representatives of related disciplines. The editorial board supports promising areas in geography, especially work on problems of human interaction with the natural environment, spatial aspects of regional development, the results of field research in various regions of the world, as well as interdisciplinary research at the intersection of geography and other natural and humanitarian sciences.
The system of scientific review and editing adopted by the editorial board of the journal ensures a high level of published materials and their compliance with professional criteria.
Current Issue
Vol 155, No 3-4 (2023)
Articles
Longshore Sediment Transport in Lake Ladoga Based on Analyses of the Heavy Mineral Fraction of Sand in Coastal Sediments
Abstract
Abstract—
In order to identify the directions of transport of coastal sediments of Lake Ladoga, heavy mineral fraction was extracted from sand samples collected on all types of its shores. The mineral composition, size and roundness of particles − features characterising the degree of reworking of coastal sediments − were assessed under a microscopic analysis. We identified 4 clusters with similar degrees of reworking of the source material, which, based on the results of the factor analysis, were ranked by relative transport distance from insignificant to very significant. The maximum number of samples with small transport distances was found on the northern shores of the lake, which can be explained by the location of bedrock shores − the main sources of clastic material in the lake. Samples with maximum transport distances are relatively evenly distributed along all shores of the lake. The analysis of the results showed that on all shore reaches there is a transport of heavy fraction of bottom sediments in a certain direction: on the southern shore – to the west, on the western shore – to the north, on the northern shore – to the east and on the eastern shore – to the south-east. This allows us to conclude that there is a long-term trend of coastal sediment transport along the shores of Lake Ladoga in a clockwise direction.
3-16
Clarification of the Regional Methodology for Calculating Potential Soil Flushing from Meltwater for the Northern Forest-Steppe of Central Siberia
Abstract
Abstract—
The need to verify, modernize and refine existing models for calculating potential soil flushing from the effects of meltwater is due to the small number of studies of this type of erosion in the forest-steppe zone of Central Siberia and, as a consequence, the inability to reliably determine how accurate the calculation methods are in their current form under these conditions. For the agricultural zone of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, a regional model has been developed for calculating potential soil flushing based on a Universal equation and the Instructions’ formula. This paper presents the results of its verification, performed using the results of the author’s field measurements of soil flushing from meltwater by measuring removal cones on agricultural lands of the northern forest-steppe of Central Siberia (Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe). A refined version of the Regional Methodology is proposed, adapted to local hydrometeorological conditions and representing the formula of this model with an added correction factor \(K,\) taking into account the influence of the previous autumn moistening of soils and the intensity of water flow to the soil surface during snowmelt. Refinement and adaptation of the methodology allowed to increase the accuracy of the results of its application by an average of three times compared to the original type of the model, the average error decreased from 0.3 to 0.11. The refined version of the Regional methodology was tested in the course of the author’s research of snow-fall soil erosion in the Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe.
17-29
Integrated Assessment of the Geomorphological Hazard of the Mining Territories within the Baikal Region
Abstract
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.
30-46
Seasonal and Inter-Annual Variability of Water Temperature in Petrozavodsk Bay of Lake Onega
Abstract
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.
47-61
The Impact of Modern Logging on Soil Disturbance, the State of Ground Cover and the Subsequent Regeneration of Trees in Boreal Forests of Russia
Abstract
Abstract
—The article presents materials for studying the physical properties of the upper horizons of the soil, the species diversity of the living ground cover and the natural regeneration of trees in 1–15 years old clear-cuttings. A noticeable compaction of the soil is observed in the ruts of the passage of machines, mainly in the thickness of the soil 0–10 cm, but not in the between ruts sand the cutting strips. We found that the physical properties (bulk density, total porosity and aeration porosity) of the upper soil horizons depend on the age of cutting and the study site (p < 0.01). Soil compaction in the ruts decreases 9–15 years after logging to indicators in sites where the movement of machines was not carried out. The overgrowth of damaged sections in clear-cuts occurred through ruderal species and species with wide ecological amplitudes to environmental factors. This overgrowth stabilised 15 years after logging when the biodiversity level approached untouched stands. The regeneration of clear-cuts is mainly deciduous such as birch and aspen that mainly grew in the cutting strips. In the ruts and the between ruts, the amount of undergrowth is 2–7 times less than in cutting strips.
62-73
Regional Dynamics of Industry, Agriculture and Population in Russia in 1990–2020: Geoecological Interpretation
Abstract
Abstract
—The grouping of Russian regions by the type of conjugate dynamics of industry, agriculture and population for 1990–2020, indirectly reflecting the dynamics of the integral anthropogenic load on nature, is carried out. The zones most severely affected by the transformational depression have been identified, which cover practically the entire European Non-Chernozem region, south of Eastern Siberia and the Far East. And a significant increase in loads is observed in the North Caucasus, the Russian Baltic States, the sub-latitude area of the regions stretching from the Bryansk region to Bashkortostan, as well as the Tyumen region. The increase in load occurred primarily within the steppe and forest-steppe zones, which were most transformed by anthropogenic activity. In general, “pressure” on nature increases in a well-developed territory (about 1/10 of the country, where about a third of the population lives), and decreases in a vast poorly developed territory (about half of the territory and 1/6 of the population of Russia). A new environmentally unfavorable trend in the dynamics of pressures on nature is their relative shift to coastal regions, to vulnerable to impacts and scarce in the country recreationally attractive coasts of the Atlantic seas, as well as the Caspian Sea-lake. It has been established that the increase in all types of loads in the leading regions is much more significant than their reduction in the regions of maximum decline. Therefore, the deterioration of the environmental situation in the regions of strong growth in loads is more likely than its improvement in the regions leading their decline. The increase in the load occurred primarily within the steppe and forest-steppe zones, most transformed by anthropogenic activity. In general, the “pressure” on nature increases in a well-developed area (about 1/10 of the country, where about a third of the population lives), and decreases in a vast underdeveloped area (about half of the territory and 1/6 of the population of Russia). A new environmentally unfavorable trend in the dynamics of loads on nature is their relative shift to the coastal regions, to the recreationally attractive coasts of the Atlantic seas, as well as the Caspian Sea–lakes, vulnerable to impacts and scarce in the country. It has been established that the increase in all types of loads in the leading regions is much more significant than their reduction in the regions of maximum recession. Therefore, the deterioration of the environmental situation in the regions of a strong increase in loads is more likely than its improvement in the regions-leaders of their decline.
74-88
Landscape and Ecological Analysis of the Territory of the Surgut District of Khmao-Yugra
Abstract
Abstract
—The landscape and environmental analysis was carried out on the example of the Surgut district of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug-Yugra, where the main factor in the degradation of natural objects is pollution of the territory as a result of mining, which accounts for up to 80% of emissions. Landscape provinces as nodal geosystems were used for the analysis. A general structural and morphological assessment of landscapes, an assessment of unfavorable ecological and geographical processes, anthropogenic transformation and ecological infrastructure of landscapes were carried out, and ecologically significant factors of the territory were identified. As a result of the conducted research, a map was compiled reflecting the spatial differentiation of the state of landscape provinces, taking into account anthropogenic impact. It has been established that the best landscape and ecological well-being is possessed by the southern territory of the district (Yugansk-Laryegan province), which is characterized by the containment of anthropogenic activity due to the creation of the Yugansk Nature Reserve. The Vandras-Yugan province serves as a buffer between anthropogenic and least modified natural landscapes, occupying an intermediate position in the assessment. The central part of the Surgut district received the most massive "blow" to the landscapes, as the main transport routes, pipelines, and residential settlements are concentrated here. The northern part of the Surgut district is characterized by waterlogging processes, a high degree of overgrowth and an average degree of transformation of natural landscapes.
89-99
Morphodynamic of the Kosa River Channel as a Reflection of the Direction of the Channel Processes in the Development Valleys of Glaciolacustrine Terraces (Upper Kama Basin)
Abstract
Abstract
—The article is devoted to identification of peculiarities of development of channel processes in river valleys with distribution of glaciolacustrine terraces. Kosa river was chosen as the largest right tributary of the upper Kama. The resources of GoogleEarthPro and Yandex Maps were used in the process of interpretation of space images and obtaining quantitative information. The morphodynamic types of a river channel was made on the basis of the analysis of elements of floodplain-channel landscape complexes. The indicator of the ratio of the width of the floodplain to the width of the valley was considered as a feature of the development of channel processes in the areas of the distribution of the glaciolacustrine terrace. This ratio is 1 : 1 at the upper Kosa river outside the Kosinskaya Lowland. It is 1 : 9 at the middle Kosa river, and 1 : 3 at the Kosa downstream. The location of the meander belt in the left of the valley side is a feature of the development of channel processes. This indicates the presence of a stable and long-term planform channel changes from the east to the west in the past. The leading morphodynamic channel types are free meanders and confined straight channel for the Kosa upper stream. In the Kosa middle stream, in which most of the valley is represented by a glaciolacustrine terrace, confined bends already play a significant role in the structure of morphodynamic types of a river channel, while maintaining the leading role of free meanders. At the same time, a high proportion of the distribution of the straight confined channel is observed.
100-112
Karst of Sterlitamak (BASHKIR) Shikhans and Their Surroundings in Southern Pre-Ural Area
Abstract
Abstract—
Shikhans, or lone mountains, is the local name for island mountains in the flat foothills of the Southern Urals. The shikhans are denudation remnants, sometimes with preserved residuals of Miocene-Pliocene planation surface on their tops, which allows estimating the total time of development of karst processes at least 5 million years. Despite more than 200 years of research on the shikhans, karst and its manifestations have received little attention to date. A map of karst in the shikhan territory was drawn up according to the standard methodology of karstological survey. Widespread and quite rare forms of carbonate karst of the shikhans and sulphate karst of their close vicinities were characterised. It was established that along with widespread and known in temperate latitudes karstic features, very rare corrosion wells are developed in the gypsum of the Kungurian Stage in the study area, forming karst fields with the highest density of karst forms known in the East European Plain. Gypsum caves at various stages of formation, as well as semi-blind karst-erosion gullies not typical for the lowland sulphate karst of the region were recorded. For the carbonate karst of the Shikhans in the limestones of the Sakmarian Stage, the highest location of karst caves in the foothills of the Southern Urals and the oldest (earky Middle Pleistocene) age of their foundation were established. The main peculiarity of distribution of both surface and underground karst-holes is a clearly expressed dependence of forms and frequency of their occurrence on the course of formation of relief elements in the Neogene-Quaternary time. The presence in a small area of two types of karst by composition of karst rocks with very rare karst forms predetermines the high scientific, practical and educational significance of the shikhans and their surroundings.
113-135
Contemporary Dynamics in Vegetation of the Polar and Subpolar Regions of Western Siberia Using Remote Sensing Data
Abstract
Abstract—
Trends in the climatogenic dynamics of phytomass on the sites located along the borders of Western Siberia’s natural zones (the border of frozen and unfrozen bogs, the border of taiga and open boreal woodlands, and the northern boundary of the distribution of woody vegetation) were spotted based on the vegetation index NDVI derived using the sensors of the MODIS-Terra satellite for the period 2000–2020. The assessment of the vegetation dynamics and the factors that determine it was conducted with the use of the mean and maximum NDVI values and the relation of the index with basic climatic variables. A positive trend of NDVI caused by an increase in air temperature and precipitation was revealed in all the studied areas. The phytomass of open boreal larch woodlands grew the most strongly, and the greatest interannual variability was noted there. A correlation analysis conducted on the basis of the NDVI mean values displayed that improvements in vegetation growth conditions in tundra are mainly caused by the impact of the average summer temperature. The increase in phytomass in taiga is mostly connected with the presence of a tree stand that better retains snow cover, which contributes to less freezing of the ground during the cold season.
136-144
Formation of River Channel Branches, Their Morphology and Typing
Abstract
Abstract—
Based on many years of research, a justification is given for a complete classification of branches that form morphologically homogeneous areas in different geological and geomorphological conditions, which are formed in branches of branches of different structural levels and in channels of other morphodynamic types. An analysis of the conditions for the formation of river channel branches, their morphology, deformations and reformations showed that the classification must take into account the structural levels of branches and their morphodynamic types; separately highlight the diversity of branches in a winding channel, forming a separate type of channel or morphologically homogeneous areas; take into account single branches at bends, in a straight channel and in the branches of branches; highlight floodplain multi-branching, secondary coastal or near-island branches, as well as branching of the second and third orders. The arms of channel (island) branches can be gentle bends, the spurs of which are islands; straight channel; branching of the second and third orders, the combination of which creates different types of branching in the arms. The development of a classification of branchings, as well as the morphodynamic classification of river channels of the Moscow State University in general, makes it possible to refine it as the branching of river channels is studied, to create new levels (blocks) in it, allowing to take into account the increasing morphological and dynamic diversity of branches and the conditions of their formation.
145-162