V. M. Plyusnin

Ecological atlas of the Baikal basin: cartographic innovation

International experience in developing and generating the ecological atlas of the transboundary region, the Lake Baikal drainage basin, is provided. We examine the conceptual and organizational-methodological principles, the technique and practical results of mapping the natural and anthropogenic factors that are responsible for the ecological situation, the current state and transformation of the environment and its protection, and the present status of human health of a large region. We discuss the issues related to cartographic representation of the ecological conditions and factors along the shores and across the water area of Lake Baikal as well as to the incorporation of the thus produced atlas into the Internet.

Glaciation of Western Siberia in the Siberian system of natural ice

The main object for this study, Sibirskie Uvaly, is a small mountain ridge along the right bank of the Ob, the origin of which has been hotly debated. We have ascertained that the influence of ancient glaciation is manifested only indirectly in the structure of Sibirskie Uvaly. Their origin is associated to a greater extent with the self-development of the river network, tectonics and the advance of sea.

The creation of a spatial data infrastructure in management of regions (exemplified by Irkutsk oblast)

We examine the currently central issues related to developing the regional component of a spatial data infrastructure. We identify the primary goals and basic principles embedded in the establishment of a spatial data infrastructure; the baseline spatial objects are outlined.

The 55th Anniversary of the V.B. Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS

The paper considers the historical stages of development of the V. B. Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS, its current state and prospects. An analysis of the formation of Siberian geographical schools is conducted.

Distinctive characteristics of formation and dynamics of nival-glacial geosystems in the south of East Siberia and on Mongolian Altai

Separate mountain massifs, separated by a considerable distance from one another, exhibit in their evolutionary development some similar traits. On the other hand, mountain geosystems occurring in them show differences associated with the location of the mountains, their morphological structure and climatic conditions. Global warming has been producing changes in the dynamics of mountain geosystems over the last three decades. However, the response of nival-glacial intracontinental geosystems is different from that in near-oceanic regions.

Water protection zoning of the Baikal natural territory: Conflicts of laws, landscape-hydrological approach

We examine the complicated situation with demarcation of the boundary of the Lake Baikal water protection zone. It was found that although the principles of ecological zoning, a unique legal instrument regulating the development of a territory with a special nature conservation status and the preservation of the Lake Baikal ecosystem, have been developed and implemented, it was not until 2015 that the boundaries of the water protection zone of Lake Baikal itself were defined. The boundaries of the water protection zone along the boundary of the central ecological zone of Lake Baikal as established by a Decree of the RF Government combined severe restrictions on water use of the two zones across the territory with the area more than 50 thou km2. It is concluded that there is a need to reconsider the decision and develop the project of the water protection zone of Lake Baikal substantiated from the landscape-hydrological perspective. It is demonstrated that the substantiation of the size of the water protection zone must rely on the hydrological runoff-forming and runoffregulating functions of landscapes that determine the formation and transformation of the local runoff between the watershed and the draining water body. The approach to implementing the water protection zoning project on the landscape-hydrological principles is developed to provide maximum protection of Lake Baikal against the input of pollutants with the subsurface and surface runoff from the neighboring coastal territories due to the natural processes of self-purification in landscapes and soil-ground layers. The main criterion is defined for the width of the water protection zone: all pollutants beyond the imposed limits of the zone are drained by the inflows from the lake and do not enter directly Lake Baikal; also, the protection of subsurface waters from the vertical penetration of pollutants is taken into account. For the settlements situation on the shores of Lake Baikal, it is proposed to delineate the boundary of the lake’s water protection zone having regard to the existing and future plans of development and engineering-technological infrastructuring of the territory.

Geoinformation support of cartographic-space monitoring of Siberia’s Arctic zone

A rationale is provided for the need and current importance of establishing a cartographic-space monitoring of Siberia’s Arctic zone in conditions of an increased interest in the exploitation of the region’s natural resource wealth and an aggravation of the geopolitical situation. We examine the principles of cartographic-space monitoring as a system for real-time acquisition, processing, visual display and supply (to users) of geospace information on natural and anthropogenic processes and phenomena. The primary goal of monitoring is defined as well as its particular objectives, such as the promotion of geoinformation services, training and professional improvement of specialists in remotely sensed data processing, digital cartography and geoinformation technologies, etc. We developed a conceptual model for geoinformation support of cartographic-space monitoring, based on the methodology of system analysis. We determined the sources and the composition of geospace information as well as the main requirements on it. The composition, purpose, structure and characteristic features of the main monitoring units and subsystems are presented and discussed, on the basis of the geoinformation portal that provides the users with the systems of base servers intended for acquisition, generation, updating and visualization of geospace information and metadata as well as for data control: loading, search, interactive editing, and unloading. We singled out three units of the system for geoinformation support of cartographic-space monitoring: the information unit, the geospace data processing unit, and the unit of access to information resources.

Implementation of the program of geographical station-based investigations in Siberia (50 years since the appearance of the monograph entitled “Alkuchanskii Govin”)

We examine the historical background for the organization of geographical station-based investigations in Siberia. It is emphasized that, under the direction of Academician V. B. Sochava, the Institute of Geography SB RAS conducted a unique experiment in nature, with no equals across the globe as regards the breadth of regional coverage, thoroughness of analysis and the duration of investigations. We demonstrate the role of station-based investigations in acquiring fundamental geographical knowledge. Particular emphasis is placed on the important role played by the Onon-Argun steppe as a major research site of international significance. The present status is assessed, and the prospects for future advancements in station-based investigations are outlined.

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.

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.