Olga V. Gagarinova

Geosystem–hydrological studies encompass a wide range of methods within the geographic–hydrological field. For analyzing the formation of surface runoff on the southern coast of Lake Baikal, the basin concept, as well as landscape–hydrological and structural–hydrographic approaches, is applied. The primary spatial unit of analysis is the river basin, considered together with the landscape structure and the parameters of the hydrographic network. This study is aimed at determining the landscape and hydrographic conditions and features of the formation of surface runoff in the area. As a result, runoff-forming, runoff-regulating, transit, and accumulation landscape complexes are identified; areas of runoff formation, transit, and accumulation are identified; and the territory is zoned according to the conditions and magnitude of runoff formation. This study is primarily of fundamental importance, aimed at identifying patterns in the structure of river systems that determine runoff areas and which are expressed in the orographic and landscape features of the basin. The practical significance of the calculations lies in the indicative assessment of possible runoff, primarily in the mountainous part of river basins, under conditions of uneven distribution of the standard observation network sections and their insufficient duration. The identification of runoff formation areas and assessment of potential runoff from these areas can be used to develop recommendations for rational planning and use of basin lands, as well as to prevent the occurrence of negative natural consequences.

This article discusses the theoretical and practical issues of hydroclimatic mapping. Hydroclimatic mapping is an important part of solving of environmental and water management problems, environmental management issues, and the adaptation of the population to climate change. Hydrological and climatic maps included in atlases of the Baikal region (Irkutsk Region: Ecological Conditions of Development (2004), Ecological Atlas of the Lake Baikal Basin (2015), and Baikal Region: Society and Nature (2021)) are presented. The authors consider the methodological approaches of hydroclimatic mapping. The limitations in using the traditional method of isolines are shown. The advantages of the basin method, landscape–hydroclimatic and structural–hydrographic approaches using zoning tools and along channel diagrams are substantiated. The article presents the methodology of flood-risk zoning, water protection, and recreational zoning of the Baikal coast and cartographic modeling of processes in the delta of the Selenga River.

This paper presents for the first time the results of practice-oriented investigations for determining the magnitude of socioeconomic damage to coastal areas of Lake Baikal as a result of the highest rise of its level (457.85 m according to the Pacific Reference Frame). The study area includes the coastal areas of Baikal and some areas of the Irkutsk reservoir of Irkutsk oblast within the Slyudyansky, Irkutsky, and Olkhonsky administrative districts. When compiling the list of sites falling within the zone of potential submergence, we used the open public database of the Unified State Registry of Real Estate and a package of working large-scale cartographic products and images. Expeditions made it possible to update, correct, and complement the working registry. The list of economic facilities and infrastructure (about 200) falling within the zone of potential submergence, includes line structures, enterprises of social services, and households. A calculation of economic damage to facilities of socioeconomic activity is presented using recommended technique of assessing probable damage from the harmful effect of water and assessing the effectiveness of preventive hydroeconomic measures (as of the year 2006). The amount of damage (to facilities and main sectoral groups) is corrected using the deflator index (as of 2022 in the “construction” position in Irkutsk oblast)). Potential losses (lost profit) are illustrated by the example of recreational activity on the shores of Baikal within the boundaries of Irkutsk oblast. The possible considerable losses have been revealed in the recreational sphere as a result of direct damage to facilities and infrastructure, as well as lost profits due to a loss of attractiveness of coastal areas, including beach zones. A preliminary quantitative assessment of socioeconomic damage to coastal administrative districts of Irkutsk oblast as a result of water level fluctuations in Lake Baikal and the Irkutsk reservoir may well provide a basis for developing program-strategic directions and measures and for seeking managerial decisions of a preventive nature for minimizing negative impacts.

The sustainable development of Ulaanbaatar is closely connected with the solution of issues caused by negative environmental impacts. The findings obtained as part of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research project, a review of the literature and reference materials, and an expeditionary survey revealed the problems and prospects of the natural resource supply of the territory and the need to change the socioeconomic and geoecological situation in Ulaanbaatar. The methodology of an integrated approach, covering socioeconomic, climatic, landscape-geochemical, and water-ecological studies, enabled us to identify the heterogeneity of the suburbanized space, the risks of sociodemographic development, water supply, air pollution and soil cover, which have an adverse impact on the social and economic development of the territory. The process of expanding the suburban area of Ulaanbaatar differs from similar processes in the cities and agglomerations of Russia and Europe and is more similar to the formation of slums in the cities of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The suburban yurt zones being created in Ulaanbaatar do not have any transport or social or engineering infrastructure, and residents suffer from diseases caused by environmental pollution and coal heating. The sustainable development of Ulaanbaatar and the surrounding area requires the development of a scheme for monitoring natural and anthropogenic changes, improving the protection system, optimizing the use of natural resources, and improving the system of settlement and management of urban areas.

Geoenvironmental studies of urban centers of the Baikal region are aimed at identifying the details of human impacts on the environment in this area in order to then find rational solutions to environmental problems of the region and improve the quality of life of its population. This article characterizes the environmental condition of the cities of Ulaanbaatar, Ulan-Ude, and Irkutsk and analyzes the relationship between socio-economic conditions and environmental problems of the territories. The data used in the study consists of statistical and archival materials, cartographic and literary works, and data from experimental observations. The urban centers of the Baikal region are characterized by different socio-economic conditions, but share some common features of modern agglomerations: an intense population concentration in capital cities, problems with utility lines, and increased environmental tension and discomfort. The analysis revealed a heavy environmental burden of the fuel and energy complex and motor transport. The environmental situation in the cities is also significantly influenced by factors, such as atmospheric circulation, the condition of natural waters, and the conditions for migration of chemical elements through the soil. An assessment of the level of human impact on components of the environment revealed extremely unfavorable conditions for self-purification of the atmosphere in Ulan-Ude and Ulaanbaatar, with the highest level of air pollution recorded in Ulaanbaatar. The highest level of soil pollution is observed in Irkutsk; it is due to large-scale industrial emissions and the fact that the soil of the territory has characteristics favorable for accumulation of pollutants. Ulaanbaatar is experiencing problems with the quality of water resources and the drinking water supply. Anthropogenic pressures on the environment of the cities create health risks for the population due to the entry of toxic pollutants into the air and into water bodies.

This paper is devoted to the unique water body, Lake Baikal, the largest freshwater reservoir by volume in the world that was included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is regulated by the federal law of its protection. The global role of Baikal as a strategic reserve of water resources of the highest class is increasing in importance. Furthermore, Lake Baikal and its surroundings are invariably the focus of ecological problems. The most challenging issues are the lake’s water pollution leading to changes in hydrobiocenoses, soil and vegetation digression in areas of increased recreational load, forest fires causing a decrease of the number of rare species of flora and fauna, etc. Imperfection of the legal framework, the lack of a unified managerial center and the attempts to deal with the problems solely at the federal level involve a number of incompetent decisions on the lake level regulation and on the setting of its water-protection zone. The conflicts of the interests of the subjects of the federal and regional levels in issues related to use and the protection of natural resources present serious obstacles to the development of a unified, ecologically oriented strategy of economic development of the territory. For a successful solution of the current challenges it is necessary to recognize the ecological problems of Lake Baikal as the priority concerns throughout the country, optimize management of the socio-economic development of the Baikal natural territory on the basis of nature-conservation principles by ensuring appropriate funding, develop a unified scheme of comprehensive monitoring of the ecological and sanitary-hygienic status of Lake Baikal and its protection zone, improve the system of scientific research on the Baikal natural territory, introduction ubiquitous ecological training and education of the population, organize the waste and effluent treatment system in accordance with the latest international technologies, etc.

The article presents the aims and objectives of the water protection zoning of the Lake Baikal coast as well as the main points of the landscape hydrological substantiation of the dimensions for the water protection zone of this water body, which is a World Natural Heritage site. Analysis of the legislative framework as well as current natural and ecological state of the coastal area indicate serious anthropogenic impacts on the lake and the lack of the water protection experience, especially, in residential and recreational areas. The study considers the main landscape hydrological parameters and criteria for determining the boundary of the water protection zone as well as physiographical conditions and the ecological necessity to include certain types of landscapes in the protection zone. The individual hydrological characteristics of landscapes, depending on the structural components, determine water potential and water protection parameters of the area, which allows for the substantiation of the water protection zone dimensions that ensure the protection of the water resources of Lake Baikal. The problems of water resources protection in the areas of economic use are of special attention. The study suggests the approaches to functional water protection zoning of urbanized and recreational areas, including landscape hydrological principles for assessing the area and methodological elements of landscape planning as well as regulation of the natural resources use for the purposes of the ecological development of coastal areas. A scientifically grounded water protection zone of Baikal involves coordination and control of all activities related to the use and protection of the lake.

The landscape planning projects consider different aspects of the water component, depending on the aims and characteristics of the natural and socioeconomic state of the areas. The selection of criteria and theoretical justification of the factors for assessing water potential are of special attention in this work. Notably, the water factor of the territorial development and, primarily, its water ecological aspect is a limiting element in many cases. Analysis of the conditions for the runoff formation and transformation as well as the relationship of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the runoff with the landscape elements allow determination of hydrological organization of the area and landscape hydrological zoning to substantiate the objectives of the territorial development. The methodology of landscape planning allows the introduction of the theory of landscape hydrological approach into the practice of land use planning. The combination of these approaches provides a functionally sound tool for the practical implementation of the scientific findings into the recommended actions and measures for the ecologically friendly environmental management and the sustainable development of certain areas. The article discusses hydrological aspects of some landscape planning projects that were fulfilled in V.B. Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS as well as in collaboration with colleagues from Armenia and Germany.