Modeling of Hydrological and Climatic Resources of the Landscape for Sustainable Land Use at Small Watersheds

Abstract

The analysis of conditions for the runoff formation is believed to be the useful example of applying theoretical knowledge to study interrelations between landscape structure and functioning. The practical importance of such knowledge is seen in developing area zoning which takes into account microclimatic conditions and is aimed at sustainable organization of landscape structure and effective land use at the level of the small watershed. To model the water runoff and certain elements of water balance in the study area, we calculated topographically mediated indicative values of water cycle and solar radiation and assessed how they are related to the diversity of landscape conditions affecting runoff formation. The variability in growing conditions at different landforms was studied using the original method of hydroclimatic calculations and Ramenskiy’s vegetation scales which provide information on species sensitivity to moisture content. After that, the detected diversity was considered as rationale for modeling optimal distribution of land use types. The application of the method provides new opportunities for effective use of landscape resources as well for the sustainable development of natural and social systems. This method is believed to be of particular relevance for the newly cultivated agricultural lands and buffer zones of nature protected area.