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An attempt has been made to construct models that approximate the time-series statistical properties of the useful inflow into Lake Baikal and its relationships with potential predictors permitting predictive assessments to be obtained. The solution of the problem consists of two parts. In the first part, physical and statistical models are constructed, which reflect the known regularities of the formation of runoff from the catchment. These patterns are manifested in the presence of significant regression relationships between the predicted value of the monthly inflow and its hydrometeorological predictors. The models thus constructed can be used to forecast the average useful inflow for the next month. The predictive correction for interannual variability to the seasonal wave of the inflow in these models is formed by taking into account such a variability in the values of the predictors known at the time of forecasting. The second part of the research is devoted to the study of the presence of possible trends and cycles in the interannual variability in useful inflow in the most water-abundant third quarter of the year in order to try to predict it with a lead time of a year or more. It is shown that various models of cycles with parameters estimated by using of the training sample do not provide the stability of the solution on the control sample. The best result was shown by a cyclical model with fixed periods, reflecting the possible impact on the inflow variability provided by gravitational influence of the Moon and major planets on the Earth and the Sun. Nevertheless, this model cannot also be considered statistically significant due to the small share of the explainable variance and the data deficit on useful inflow into Baikal.

This article presents an analysis of data on the transformation of the main components of ecosystems of steppizated pine forests in the Selenga Middle Mountains (Western Transbaikalia) under the influence of fires. It was established that ground fires of medium intensity prevailing in the region transform living ground cover, change the composition and properties of forest litter and morphological, physicochemical and hydrothermal properties of soils. The post-fire dynamics revealed a slight transformation of species diversity, projective cover and phytomass of herbaceous vegetation, and a more noticeable change in the parameters of moss-lichen cover, litter and soils. A fresh burn showed total death of mosses and lichens, and a small thickness and low reserves of litter consisting largely of fractions of fresh litter of the needles and branches. In the upper pyrogenic soil horizons, moisture decreased and temperature increased immediately after the fire. Very dark coloring from the products of organic matter combustion, alkalization, increasing content of calcium cations and carbon in humus-incorporated horizons and oxalate-soluble iron content in illuvial soil profile horizons were revealed. Five or more years after the passage of the ground fire there occurred positive changes associated with an increase in the thickness of litter and the formation of lichen cover as well as a gradual change in the chemical properties, a decrease in temperature indicators and some stabilization of field moisture parameters in the upper part of the soil profile. It is concluded that these transformations of the properties of litter, moss-lichen cover and soils have a negative influence on post-fire restoration of forest vegetation and pine regeneration in burnt areas formed by ground fires of medium intensity.

We considered the main natural features of the geosystem components and conducted a cartographic analysis of the landscape structure of a section of the Malyi Khamar-Daban Range located within the basins of the Temnik river on the northern macro slope (Lake Taglei’s area) and the Torei river (tributary of the Dzhida river) on the southern macro slope of the range. We carried out the landscape analysis and mapping on the basis of the principles of the structural-dynamic geomeric approach developed in the geosystem theory by the Siberian School of Landscape Science. The analysis of the landscape structure was carried out by using manual and automatic processing of spatial information using GIS methods based on Earth remote sensing data, route landscape studies, topographic and thematic maps as well as published evidence. We constructed a physical-geographical profile for a part of the field research route, showing the characteristics of some geosystem components (vegetation, topographic features, soil, Quaternary deposits and pre-Quaternary geological formations). A large-scale landscape-typological map has been compiled, consisting of two parts, which displayed geomers of different scale levels: regional (geoms) and topological (facies). The map legend represents different aspects of structural-dynamic heterogeneity: taxonomic affiliation of geosystems, factor-dynamic properties, seriality and the nature of anthropogenic disturbances in geosystems. The map shows 2413 sections contoured by four geoms, six classes and three groups of facies and 24 facies and their anthropogenic varieties. Four degrees of anthropogenic disturbance of derived geosystems are represented. We identified on the ridge, within the boundaries of the study territory three altitudinal landscape belts that reflect the landscape organization of the geosystems of the study area: mountain taiga (subbelt of watershed-slope larch-Siberian stone pine taiga and subbelt of slope larch taiga), mountain-forest-steppe and foothill-valley steppe areas.

Detailed mapping of the landscape and morphological structure of the Anapa bay-bar based on interpretation of aerial and satellite images and field research was performed during 2012-2019. At the new level we analyzed the formation history of the Anapa bay-bar geosystem and its constituent elements, including the Vityazevskaya bay-bar. It was found that the landscape-morphological structure of the Anapa bay-bar was formed under the influence of multiple fluctuations of the Black Sea level and the volume of solid runoff of the Kuban river. Variability in external conditions predetermined a significant difference in the structure of individual sections of the Anapa bay-bar. A characteristic feature of the Vityazevskaya bay-bar, in contrast to the other areas, is the presence of relict dune ridges. Analysis of the landscape-morphological structure, supplemented by hydro-lithodynamic regime data, showed that the Vityazevskaya bay-bar is distinguished by the greatest width and development of all longitudinal zones, which are characteristic for the Anapa bay-bar: the beach, the dune belt, hilly sands and the lowland around the lagoon. The structure and location of landforms reflects the stages of formation of the accumulative body under study during the change in the configuration of the adjacent shores under the influence of abrasion and other processes. The Vityazevskaya bay-bar, located in the most hydro-dynamically active zone, is subject to periodic effects of extreme waves. During this period, a hydrogenous reformation of the beach relief occurs, and the dune zone undergoes a significant transformation. Later, the eolian transformation of the coastal relief is observed again, and vegetation develops. A high variability in the relief and periodic flooding and drainage of the territory contributes to the formation of a significant variety of dune and aquatic landscapes, which determine the high environment-oriented value of the Vityazevskaya bay-bar.

Results from studying the gross content of macro- and microelements in the peat deposits of a forest swamp in the northern Sym-Dubches interfluve (Krasnoyarsk krai) are presented for the first time. The swamp was formed 11 800 years ago. The mixed deposit is formed by fen, transitional and raised bog peats of forest-boggy and swampy subtypes. It is found that the average content of elements in the raised bog and transitional types of peat is below the Clarke lithosphere. In the fen peat 12 elements significantly exceed the lithosphere Clarke. Average concentrations of elements in peats of the transitional and raised bog peat types differ slightly from each other. In the peat of the fen peat type, the concentration of a part of the elements exceeds their content in the raised bog and transitional peats by a factor of 4 to 20. A comparative analysis of the average elemental content in various species of the raised bog and transitional types showed that their values change slightly when one type changes for another. In the fen species of peat, the woody Hypnum, woody and Hypnum types that compose the bottom part of the deposit are distinguished by the highest concentration of elements. The high content of most chemical elements in the fen peat species is explained by the bog genesis, rich in water and mineral nutrition for seven thousand years, the chemical composition of peat-forming plants as well as by a combination of two processes: biogenesis and hydromorphogenesis, which contribute to the accumulation of Fe, S, P, Si, Al, Ca, Cu, Mn, Ni, Ba, V and Co. The high concentration of macro- and micronutrients, such as K, Cr, Ti, Ge, Se and Zr, was also influenced by forest fires, which occurred 5030, 5745, 7412 and 7790 years ago, as evidenced by fire layers.

Soil studies on the territory of the Southern Cisbaikalia have shown that climate and topography have a noticeable effect on the diversity and spatial distribution of soil cover at the macro- and meso-level. A complex geological structure, the uneven age and variety of bedrocks, and the composition and degree of weathering of the parent rocks determined the uniqueness of the soils of the study area. For example, the development of residual-carbonate burozems is confined to the places of outcrops of Cambrian high-carbonate rocks. The organization of the soil cover at the micro-level is due to the paleocryogenic Late Pleistocene microrelief. Its hilly-depressive forms contributed to the differentiation of soil formation processes, which led to the complication of soil cover. Contrasting soil microcombinations are represented by complexes of automorphic, autonomous soils on polygons-hillocks and semi-hydromorphic, heteronomous in cryogenic wedge-shaped structures (depressions). On the hillock polygons, the soil profile is formed in the undisturbed soil mass, which corresponds to the post-lithogenic type of soil formation, and the periodic removal of soil material indicates a denudation model of pedogenesis. In depressions, soil formation occurs in redeposited soil material; the presence of one or several buried humus horizons corresponds to the synlithogenic type of soil formation and the accumulative-sedimentary (sedimentation) model of pedogenesis. The result of this research was the compilation of a landscape and soil map of Southern Cisbaikalia using the Quantum-GIS program by interpolating the points of soil sampling using landscape indication methods.

Temperature characteristics of the atmospheric air and soil are among the main indicators that determine the meteorological conditions of the selected period. However, they include not only the actual temperature of the air and soil, but also meteorological parameters, such as the beginning of seasonal freezing and thawing of the soil and the depth of soil freezing, which, in turn, depends considerably on the period of snowmelt. Several issues have been dealt with to assess the thermal conditions for the occurrence of spring and early-summer floods on the Iya and Uda rivers in 2019. We examined the long-term thermal regime of the atmosphere and soil by using data from weather stations Tulun, Nizhneudinsk and Alygdzher. The long-term dynamics of thermal indicates is shown, trends in their changes are calculated, as well as analyzing the characteristics of the thermal regimes in May-June of 2019 prior to the flood. It was found that in the valleys of the Iya and Uda rivers there is a high consistency of thermal regimes of the air and soil. Over the last 30-year period, the recorded positive (especially negative) air temperature anomalies in May and July were not extremely high, capable of influencing physical and geographical processes, including the water regime of rivers. The air and soil temperatures in May-July 2019 were close to the average long-term values and did not have a significant impact on the strength and duration of the abnormal flood. An indirect effect could have been caused by soil overexposure due to the past heavy rainfall of the second decade of June, because the presence of a “zero curtain” in the soil column prevents the passage of moisture deeper than 80 cm.

Based on the biostratigraphic analysis of the sediments of the first terrace above the floodplain, the history of development of the ecosystems of the lower reaches of the Knevichanka River over the past 5350 cal BP was reconstructed. Differences were identified and characteristics were determined in the structure of vegetation cover during the final phase of the Holocene optimum and during multidirectional climatic fluctuations in the Late Holocene. It is found that broad-leaved plants in the final phase of the Holocene were more widespread on the mountain slopes than at present. The accumulative plains were dominated by grassy meadows with small-leaved plant communities. Vegetation on the slopes of the valley of the Knevichanka river was dominated by mixed forests, with a predominance of Korean pine, Japanese red pine, oak, elm, Amur cork tree, lime, lilac, Manchurian walnut and other species. In the lower reaches of the Knevichanka river, in the place of the marshy plains and water areas of Lake Krolevetskii and Lake Orlovskii there existed a extensive shallow sea bay that was connected in a narrow strait with Ussuri Bay. A cooling period that began at the end of Middle Holocene and continuing at the beginning of Late Holocene led to a reduction of broad-leaved plants in vegetation and to a more widespread occurrence of small-leaved plants. At that time the formation of the soil layer of the first terrace above floodplain began in the lower reaches of the river. In the course of the marine regression, the coastal lowlands became free from sea water, and the upper part of the shallow bay was detached from the sea. A lagoon was formed on the place of the marine gulf. The lagoon became gradually desalinated, shallowed and began to connect with the sea by the Knevichanka and Artemovka channels. However, during the syzygial tides and wind-induced surges, seawater was still penetrating it at regular intervals. At the end of the Late Holocene, the valley of the Knevichanka river developed natural conditions giving rise to the modern structure of vegetation. Desalination of Lake Krolevetskii and Lake Orlovskii occurred, the outlines of which acquired the modern position.

This article describes for the first time the fragments of relict permafrost discovered by the author on the coast of the Strait of Tartary in the valley of the Medvezhya river, represented by a complex of frost mounds located in the intermontane area of the Kupol and Malaya Medvezhka mountains. The form, main features and the area of occurrence were studied as well as identifying the landscape-indication and identification features of the complex of frost mounds on the territory of the Strait of Tartary were revealed. On one of the clearly pronounced frost mounds, a well was drilled to the full depth of permafrost occurrence, with the description of the core (rock composition, presence of signs of permafrost, depth and thickness of permafrost), and its ground-geological conditions: rock thickness and composition were determined. The main soil-geological and climatic factors of the preservation of the complex of frost mounds in the Medvezhya river valley, including a thick peat horizon, geomorphological conditions and microclimatic features, are characterized. A probable estimate is made of the time of formation of relict cryogenic forms. The issues related to the origin of hummocky peatlands with respect to the identified relict permafrost forms are discussed. In addition, the role of paleogeographical conditions on the territory of the Lower Amur region is pointed out and interpolated using, as an example, the nearest research object: the Tyapka peat bog in the Bolshaya Mar’ urochishche. A similarity with migration frost mounds associated with migration of moisture to the freezing front at the time of freezing of heavily waterlogged bogs with pools was determined. It is found, however, that the dominant role is played by erosion and thermokarst processes in the formation of relictt permafrost forms in the Medvezhya river valley.

A qualitative assessment is made of dust pollution in zones affected by crushed stone quarries as well as was carrying out a spatial analysis of the dust distribution geoinformation technologies. Primary data were provided by the results of geochemical field sampling of soils and snow cover and Earth remote sensing. The factor analysis based on geochemical data has revealed a trace element (V, Co, Ni, Cu and Sc) association characteristic of both the soil and snow. These elements display elevated concentration coefficients in the rocks quarried, namely Late Vepsian gabbro-dolerites. Models of the spatial distribution of the identified trace element association, based on the results of the study, were constructed using QuantumGIS programme. It has been noted that high factor values were obtained near the quarries. Analysis of the spectral characteristics of snow cover, based on Landsat satellite images, has revealed quarry dust migration routes. Assessment criteria were provided by the normalized snow index and the snow pollution index. They were calculated for open monitoring sites with abundant snow where the snow retains its natural condition over the entire winter season. Interpolation models, showing the distribution of these indices, were constructed. The results of the distribution are clearly correlated with the wind regime. The limiting role of the relief in the movement and accumulation of dust pollution is shown. Comparison of the spectral indices obtained for images from different years has shown that the results obtained at a snow melting stage are most contrasting, although the spatial distribution pattern of pollution generally varies slightly.