Seasonal Dynamics in the Context of Polystructural Organization of Landscapes

Abstract

Dynamic seasonal aspect in studying landscape structure involves the identification of the order of states changes in time. The specifics of the intercomponent relationships are determined by hierarchical levels of geosystems and lead to different quantitative and qualitative characteristics of seasonal processes. The most visible of them are manifested in plants that indicate changes in climatic indices. To study seasonal development, we applied quantitative tools: method of registrars term, method of integrated descriptions, and method of integrated phenological characteristics. Study of dynamic changes was performed in the Sverdlovsk region, which is located within the three physiographic countries, two geographical zones, and climatic sectors. We identified local and regional characteristics of the seasonal vegetation dynamics, controlled by polystructural organization of the landscape. The study identified indicators and criteria for dynamic seasonal changes for the representative natural systems. Seasonal changes are clearly visible in the lower level landscape units, which are the least resistant and the least durable. Regional level units have more heterogeneous conditions resulting in variability of seasonal processes; the characteristics of seasonal development within their boundaries tend to be more generalized.