DOI: 10.7256/2453-8922.2019.3.29896

Abstract: The subject of this study is the Wrangel Island - the island of polar bears (local name - "Umkilir"). There is no indigenous population as such; the area is 7,600 km², out of which 4,700 km² is occupied by mountains in its central part; the highest point is 1,096 m (the Soviet Mountain). The object of this research is the polar landscapes that develop in xerocryotic environment and are notable for the unique appearance and arrangement. The goal and objectives consist in cognizing the nature of the regional climatic morphogenesis and characteristics of the organization (structure and functionality) of geosystems that possess augmented stability in typical environments of landscape genesis and are extremely sensitive to the effects of anomalous factors and processes. The materials and methods contain the data from the author’s permafrost-geomorphological research in Chukotka (1957-1959; 1971-1972), as well as accessible literary sources. The conclusion is made that the current development of Wrangel island’s terrain is defined and controlled primarily by the specific polar climate (directed continentalization of natural conditions; small amount of solid precipitation; high "wind tension" in winter, when snow is intensively blown into the sea; etc.). This results in the absence of the active loci of glaciation. It is determines that the development of morphogenesis on the island proceeds along the path of persistent displacement of nivation processes by constantly expanding and already prevalent cryogenic processes. Such trend of landscape development will continue for the near future.

DOI: 10.7256/2453-8922.2019.2.29595

Abstract: The object of this work is the polar landscapes of Eastern Chukotka. The research task is to determine the nature and specificity of geological and geomorphological structure of the territory in typical and anomalous environments of cryolithomorphogenesis. The goal consists in the theoretical and practical studies of sustainability and plasticity of the polar geosystems on the background of climatic changes, amid the conflicting interactions between continentality and oceanicity. Special attention is given to the detailed analysis of morpholythogenic effects of the typical and anomalous (extreme – critical and crisis, as well as disastrous) processes and factors. The main conclusion lies in the following: in the course of development of the northern territories and increased interference in their natural environment, all permafrost processes are activated, with the leading role of thermokarst. Special contribution into the study is defined by the fact that, in the context of the upcoming continentalization of climate and assumed conservation the territory in Eastern Chukotka, the traceable natural risks are reducing, and the geosystems, most commonly, retain their initial sustainability. The exogenous crisis situations and disasters are forecasted, which allows making adjustments to the practice of optimal natural resource management. The scientific novelty lies in tracing the sustainable development of the territory, considering not only the compound, but also thorough complexation of the living and fossil.

DOI: 10.7256/2453-8922.2019.1.29301

Abstract: The subject of this research is the diverse forms of space and time reflection in the development of geosystems (GS). The object of this research is the GS related to space and existing only in time. The author carefully examines such aspects of the topic as space and time, inseparable from each other, and if compared to other characteristics, are the paramount attributes of geosystems (natural, technogenic, and social) in the typical and anomalous environments. Particular attention is given to consideration of "time", characterized by the active (physical) properties influencing the events in geographic space and manifesting in opposition to the normal flow of processes, leading to the destruction of GS. The main conclusions lie in the positions determining the exogenous crisis situations and disasters as predicted. Author’s special contribution is the revealed opportunity to make certain adjustments to the practice of natural resource management considering sustainable development of the territory. The scientific novelty consists in tracing the sustainable development of the territory, which is based on taking into account not only typical, but also anomalous natural processes and phenomena. Because the exogenous crisis situations and disaster are predicted, the practice of natural resource management can be adjusted considering sustainable development of the territory.