The Impact of Current Climate Changes on Morphodynamic Regimes of Steppes and Forest Steppes in Southern Siberia

Olga Bazhenova,Elizaveta Tyumentseva

doi:10.4236/ajcc.2021.103015

Abstract

Predictive assessments of the geomorphological systems’ behavior under climate warming in southern Siberia have been performed based on time-series data, using theoretical and empirical models of processes. High sensitivity and fast response of erosional, aeolian, and cryogenic processes to current climatic changes are presented. The current trends under changing functioning conditions of geomorphological systems while maintaining climatic trends have been determined. Areas with different targeting of morpholithogenesis are identified.

Highlights

Global warming impacts the course of many natural processes
We should expect noticeable changes in morphogenesis in the subarid regions of southern Siberia (Figure 1), which are characterized by unstable natural equilibrium due to the continental climate, relief of mountains and depressions, and location at the southern boundary of the permafrost zone (Bazhenova, 2018)
When identifying tendencies of exogenous relief formation caused by climate change, the main attention was paid to the study of the response to the climatic signal of erosion, aeolian and cryogenic processes

Summary

Introduction

Global warming impacts the course of many natural processes. Exogenous relief-forming processes are sensitive to climate fluctuations. We should expect noticeable changes in morphogenesis in the subarid regions (steppes and forest-steppes) of southern Siberia (Figure 1), which are characterized by unstable natural equilibrium due to the continental climate, relief of mountains and depressions, and location at the southern boundary of the permafrost zone (Bazhenova, 2018). When solving the issues of rational nature management, we should know the pattern of changes in the intensity and direction of these processes and the functioning of geomorphological systems with fluctuations in climatic parameters, i.e., the forecast of geomorphological research, the methodological basis of which is still poorly developed, become relevant.

Methods

Results

Conclusion