A digital landscape map of I.I. Sprygin Zhiguli State Nature Biosphere Reserve as a basis for analyzing natural processes and their monitoring

Abstract

This paper discusses the landscape features of I.I. Sprygin Zhiguli State Nature Biosphere Reserve based on the completed landscape map. The landscape map was created using the results of our own field observations, analysis of literature sources and interpretation of satellite images. Two landscapes and 34 tracts are presented on the map, which were distinguished by the nature of the relief and the characteristics of the vegetation and soil cover. Pine forests on the slopes of large and medium steepness on sod-carbonate soils, rocky mountain steppes with endemic red-book herbaceous plants growing on soil plaque from eluvial deposits are typical for the reserve. Broad-leaved forests are typical on the plateau and slopes, represented by linden heart-shaped, maple on the gray forest soils. Most of the reserve is occupied by plateau-like surfaces beneath the secondary birch and maple forests at the site of felling and logging on dark gray forest soils. When comparing the study and the cartographic materials of the 1980s, it can be concluded that aspen forests have almost completely disappeared and have been replaced with maple or birch forests. Anthropogenic landscapes occupy 280 hectares or 1,2% of the total area of the reserve and are cut through clearings under power lines, roads and paths with no tree vegetation. Dirt roads and power lines are located mainly on the plateau-like part of the reserve.