Geomorphological Components Research Articles

Ophiolites: Geological Heritage with Multifaceted Cultural Values

Cultural geomorphology is a very recent discipline that studies the geomorphological component of a territory which embodies both a cultural feature of the landscape and its interactions with cultural heritage: this cultural approach concerns the dialogue and cultural integration between humanistic and scientific disciplines and can be extended to all the fields of Earth Sciences. Ophiolite rock masses strongly characterize the landscape: their greenish-black, sometimes red-brown colour; the steep profile of the slopes, which results from their greater resistance to erosion than the surrounding softer sedimentary rocks; the scarce or even absent vegetation cover. The value of ophiolites is not only related to scientific and aesthetic interests, but is also due to historical–geographical, cultural and socio-economic issues. In this research, we present the elements of cultural and landscape value related to the ophiolites of the Northern Apennines, and how these geological and geomorphological features have led to specific relationships with humankind and human geography. Indeed, ophiolites represent characteristic elements of popular culture with immediate reference to toponymy, local legends and religion. Ophiolites are also an element of great strategic importance, as they are crucial for human settlement, with specific reference to defence, and for mining and quarrying activities. The landscape of ophiolites is of great geological, geomorphological, hydrogeological and pedological interest, resulting in a high concentration of geosites, hence on the one hand the opportunity for enhancement and potential geotourism, and on the other hand the need for their protection and geoconservation.

KARAKTERISTIK GEOMORFOLOGI DAERAH PASIRIPIS DAN SEKITARNYA, KECAMATAN SURADE, GEOPARK CILETUH PALABUHANRATU

The research was conducted in Pasiripis area, Surade sub-district, Sukabumi district, West Java province, which is part of the Ciletuh Palabuhanratu Geopark with the aim of identifying the characteristics of developing geomorphological Units, and classifying the distribution of lithological constituents in each unit. Identification of geomorphological characteristics is based on remote sensing analysis of DEM SRTM Data which is then processed in Arcgis Software, Global Mapper and field observations are made in mapping geomorphology and lithology distribution according to scientific standards to match the data from remote sensing analysis. The research findings are in the form of distribution maps based on morphographic aspects, flow pattern maps, landform maps, slopes and geomorphological components in geomorphological maps. The study area is divided into lowlands and low hills with a developed drainage pattern that is dendritic, sub-dendritic, and parallel. In the morphometric aspect, the slopes are flat or almost flat, very gentle, gently sloping, and slightly steep. The morphogenetic aspect in Pasiripis area shows the existence of endogenous processes, such as tectonism and volcanism activities, as well as exogenous processes, such as weathering, erosion, and dissolution. The lithology of the study area consists of limestone, sandstone, and tuff. Based on the geomorphological reconstruction aspect, the characteristics of Pasiripis area in Surade sub-district can be classified into five geomorphological unit, namely flat denudational lowland, gentle denudational lowland, gentle maritime lowland, gentle denudational lowland hills, and slightly steep denudational lowland hills.

Morphological of the Euphrates River between Al-Qaim and Hit City Using Modern Technology

The study aims to illustrate the River characteristics, river morphology and river processes in the study area Landscape. The river and morphological variables used in the study were derived from the satellite imageries available, digital elevation models, and relevant maps. River morphology is used to describe the shapes of river channels and how they change in shape and direction over time. River channel morphology is an indicator of a number of environmental processes and conditions. The river channel is the product of many geographical and geomorphological components that are determined by many factors, which are independent variables of the landscape (Geology, Climate, And Man) and reflect their influence in shaping the variables dependent on the landscape and the channel (sediment supply, stream discharge, and vegetation). Based on the aforementioned variables, the landscapes of the Euphrates River profile between the cities of Al-Qaim and Hit were chosen, which affect the formation and development of the channel. Where it leads to creating the shape of the planform and the active river area. The topography of the study area is characterized as a plateau crossed by the Euphrates River. It was affected by tectonic activity and this was reflected in the shape planform and geomorphic characteristics.The length of the river distance for the studied profile is 348 km, and it was divided into four reaches.It appeared that the index of this distance is characterized by sinuosity, as it reached 1.4, now the meanders are present in the second and fourth reach, while braiding prevailed in the first reach. The emergence of human settlements and increased until the present time, represented by the construction of a group of dams on its basin. It led to the occurrence of a series of hydrological and geomorphological changes, which necessitates the restoration of this basin and finding ways to ensure the stability and well-being of the inhabitants of its basin.

Inventory and assessment of geoarchaeosites in the Middle Eure Valley (Paris Basin, France): An integrated approach to geoarchaeological heritage

For the last decade, there has been an abundance of scattered case studies on geoarchaeological heritage in the scientific literature. Yet, there is a lack of methodological guidelines to inventory and numerically assess a collection of “geoarchaeosites” for heritage conservation and/or tourism purposes. The aim of this paper is to propose an innovative and integrated methodology for the inventory and assessment of geoarchaeological heritage, with an example of application in the Middle Eure Valley (Paris Basin, France). In this work, we suggest the use of the “geoarchaeosite” concept as a contraction of geoarchaeological sites, i.e., sites of particular relevance in understanding past society-environment interactions at the Quaternary or historical time scale. In our approach, archaeological and geomorphological components of a site have the same level of importance, in contrast to the classical approaches on geomorphosites that consider the cultural, archaeological, and/or historical significance of a site as an “additional” value. In the study area, the results provide a selection of 19 geoarchaeosites with contrasted scientific values, ranging from sites of national (fossiliferous site of Saint-Prest, loess-paleosol sequence of Chaudon) and regional rank (Chartres Cathedral and its historical quarry at Berchères-les-Pierres, French Royal Canal Louis XIV-Aqueduct of Maintenon, Megaliths of Changé at Saint-Piat and Eure palaeochannels) to more confidential sites of local interest, with various degrees of vulnerability and potential use. A network analysis of “disconnected geoarchaeosites” according to spatial, chronological, and functional relationships contributes to improving the overall scientific value of the geoarchaeological heritage. Among the prospects that are emerging in the scope of promotional activities, comes the interest of building a digital geoarchaeoheritage platform with a collaborative/participatory aim in order to reinforce heritage ownership by local residents and stakeholders.

Response of termite mounds to changes of geomorphic forms and processes and associated edaphic variations

Despite extensive research on edaphic variations due to termitaria development, there have been no studies dedicated toward showing how changes in geomorphological components affect the lifecycle stages of termitaria. In this study, we assessed (1) the responses of termite mounds (in terms of their life stages) to changes in geomorphic forms and processes in northeastern Iran; and (2) how extinction of termite mounds encourages a trend of land degradation in semi-arid ecosystems. Samples of soil around active, abandoned, and extinct termite mounds located on young, intermediate, and old alluvial fan surfaces were gathered. Twenty soil physicochemical properties were selected and measured to determine the comparative soil quality indices (SQI). The highest mean SQI value was observed among intermediate fans, where the greatest proportion of active mounds was located. The mean SQI for young and old fans, where the greatest proportion of abandoned mounds was located, displayed a statistically significant decrease. The SQI of areas with extinct mounds exhibited the lowest statistical value. The lower soil quality values for the old and young fans is due to seasonal and annual flooding and associated depositional processes, leading to surface instability on these landforms. The development of gully erosion processes in old fans inhibits soil development and encourages the abandoning of termite mounds. By contrast, the relative stability of the intermediate fan surfaces enables soils to develop, due to the fewer flooding, inundation, and gullying processes, prompting more stability of the termite mounds. These findings describe how environmental changes stimulated by the different geomorphic forms and processes affect the stability trend of termite mounds and lead to changes in their lifecycle stages.

REAL AND POTENTIAL GEOTOURISM RESOURCES OF WESTERN UKRAINE

The article analyzes real and potential geotourism resources and geotourism sites and products on the example of the region of Western Ukraine (8 administrative regions). From the point of view of theory and methodology, regional analysis of geotourism is based on the scientific and practical aspects of geotourism as a form of activity based on geoheritage exploration. The research algorithm assumed the allocation of geotourism regions taking into account the geological and geomorphological component and the study of their real geotourism resources, presented in the form of geotourism sites and products. Geomorphological taxa at the level of regions and subregions for plain, highland, and mountainous areas are considered as geotourism regions of Western Ukraine. The main geotourism sites in the region are represented by rock and cave formations, residual hills and mountain peaks, unique geological outcrops and morphological landscapes, ancient and modern mine tunnel, specialized museums and educational centers. The paper characterizes the main types of geotourism services and products that are provided on the basis of the main groups of geotourism sites. The main functions performed by geotourism sites for their visitors were highlighted: from scientific-educational and aesthetic-educational to cultural-historical and sports and health functions. The geotourism potential of the main selected geotourism regions was also considered. The conducted research resulted in a developed typification of geotourism sites of Western Ukraine by specialization, level of tourist facilities and service, degree of attendance. According to the nature of specialization, geotourism sites were classified as follows: mainly geotourism, ecotourism-geotourism, cultural geotourism, mountainous geotourism, industrial geotourism. Evaluation of geotourism sites was carried out on the possibility of arranging individual and group tours with the appropriate informational and educational services. Karst caves of Podillia, canyon-like sections of the Dniester and its tributaries, rock complexes of the Carpathians and the Chornohora range with alpine relief have been identified as promising geotourism sites and territories of international importance. The national and regional parks of the region, which are characterized by remarkable geoheritage, have significant potential for the geotourism development. The region of Western Ukraine is favorable for the introduction of innovative forms of geotourism as territorial tourist destinations. The creation of national geoparks and theme parks on the basis of reserves, national and landscape parks and historical and cultural reserves with significant geoheritage is justified. It is essential to further develop geotourism routes of local, regional, national and international importance. Necessary for the prospective development of geotourism in the region is scientific, educational and organizational support for the development and implementation of geotourism projects. Key words: geotourism; resources; sites; attractions; products; geoheritage; region.

Effect Of Soil Shear Strength on Shoreline Changes at Batu Pahat Coastal Area

This study focuses on the effect of soil shear strengthdue to the shoreline changes in Batu Pahat Coastal Area. The shorelines of Pantai Punggur were chosen as the subject location for this investigation on soil shear strength and shoreline changes of eroded areas in Batu Pahat, Johor. Pantai Punggur is situated on the west coast of Johor, with a latitude of 1.62° to 1.87° N and a longitude of 102.78° to 103.19° E. Aerial photographs and field observation data were used to determine the geomorphological components of the Pantai Punggur shoreline using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The study conducted is to produce shoreline changes mapping diagram and analysis soil shear strengths across different sampling locations were measured and correlate with shoreline changes at zones A, B, C, D and E. The aerial image that has been captured by the drone was analyzed using Pix4D and Global Mapper software. Based on the data of shoreline changes zone A portrays the highest changes followed by zone B and C. As for zone D and E its shows quite a small change. Within one month interval, Pantai Punggur coastline experiences changes in about 1.57 meters. From the undrained shear strength test at 0.5 m depth at HT and MT data for December 2021, zone A with Cu reading are more than 4.5 kPa followed by zones B, C, D and lowest at zone E. Next, at depth 0.5 m and 1.0 m data for December 2021 at HT level, zone A with Cu reading is more than 4.5 kPa at the 0.5 m and 1.0 m depth and other zones are below than 3.0 kPa. The depth of soil also influences the data of this study. The correlation of changes in soil shear strength with shoreline changes is reported to have a linear correlation with R2 value is 0.9261. It can conclude that the effect of soil shear strength on shoreline changes at Batu Pahat coastal area cause by the changes in soil shear strength (Cu) gives a large effect of shoreline changes.

Geodiversity inclusiveness in biodiversity assessment

Biodiversity assessment is constitutive in establishing conservation priorities and outcomes, and geodiversity complements species richness as a surrogate in the absence of species data, improves statistical modelling and can facilitate prediction of species distribution and abundance. Yet, geodiversity is frequently excluded, and biodiversity prioritised in conservation endeavours such as ecosystem-based management. Therefore, combined geodiversity and biodiversity assessment approaches present practical benefits to conservation such as improved collaboration between biologists and geoscientists, efficacious indicators of conservation value, and abatement of biodiversity partialities and wider inclusion of geodiversity in conservation literature. This study scientometrically analysed 240 biodiversity assessment publications to investigate geodiversity inclusiveness, methodological trends, geographic trends, environment-type trends and future directions in biodiversity assessment methods. Results showed these species richness articles frequently included geodiversity-relevant terms such as hydrological, soil, geological and geomorphological components, but the all-encompassing ‘geodiversity’ term was absent entirely. Geographic trends showed many potential economic, social, cultural and political factors influencing geodiversity inclusiveness in biodiversity assessment. For example, Australia’s relatively resource exploitative approach to geology and early involvement in the inception of the geodiversity concept could explain the high frequency of geological-related terms in Australian biodiversity assessments. Methodological trends showed dominance by field-based biodiversity assessments such as trapping methods, followed transects, quadrats, net methods and observations. Given the specific sample size of literature analysed, inferences from this study relate only to biodiversity assessment methods and not biodiversity discourse in its entirety. Subsequent research could investigate specific factors, such as social, economic or political, and their influence on geodiversity inclusiveness in biodiversity assessment methods.

Heritage Value and Stakeholders’ Perception of Four Geomorphological Landscapes in Southern Iceland

This paper has two main objectives: (1) to assess the heritage value of four geomorphological landscapes in Southern Iceland from a geomorphological perspective and (2) to see to what extent the heritage values assigned by different local stakeholders overlap with this assessment. The concept of “geomorphological landscape”, that we define as a landscape whose geomorphological component is of heritage interest, is a scale of analysis that can be understood by different groups of people and that reflects subjective perceptions of the landscape. The evaluation of the heritage value of four geomorphological landscapes has shown that their geoscientific, aesthetic and cultural values are particularly high. Indeed, thanks to their rarity, representativeness, integrity and paleogeographic interest, all four sites have a geoscientific value ranging from 0.81 to 0.94 (the maximum possible score is 1). They also constitute spectacular and beautiful landscapes and have acquired a relevant cultural value because of the major impacts that volcanic eruptions and glaciers advances have had on the local population. Not surprisingly, the heritage awareness of managers of protected areas is high. The interviews also show that other types of stakeholders, such as tourism services providers, tourism promoters and representatives of local authorities, are also aware, to some extent, of the high geoscientific value. The societal and institutional recognition of the heritage value of these geomorphological landscapes is closely linked to their use as territorial resources for tourism.

Caracterização e evolução da história natural da zona costeira de Tibau, Grossos e Areia Branca/RN

Geodiversity encompasses several aspects; pedological, hydrological, geological among others, of which we will deal with the geomorphological component, which acts as a record of different evolutionary processes throughout the Earth's natural history. Within this context, the present work aims to define the elements that occurred on the coast of Tibau, Grossos and Areia Branca/RN, serving as basis for undertanding the morphology of the area, serving as a basis for the further study or geodiversity. Recovering natural history, from the formation of the Potiguar Basin, with the separation of the Gondwana Super Continent, to the most recent morphological changes, bringing the constitution and age of constitution of the geological formations, the Tibau Formation, Jandaíra and Barreiras. As for the features, it was identified as barcanoid dunes(active and inactive dunes and sand sheets), marine deposits (Beach rocks), as well as alluvial deposits associated with the Apodi-Mossoró estuary , coastal plains, cliffs and association with coastal plateaus and presence of a reef line (Beach rocks).

The maritime para-dynamic as a phenomenon of the formation of the landscape space

The coastal zones are characterized with the considerable variety and the specificity of the landscapes. Their properties and the structure are determined with the interaction of the water area and the dry land. Here the natural and the anthropogenic components of the landscapes come into the close interaction with each other with the useful (microclimate, energy potential of breeze) and the inauspicious (storms, costal abrasion, high corrosive activity) consequent for thelandscape structures and the maritime nature use. The determination of such interaction and their consequences are the aim of this article. The method of the analysis and the synthesis of the empirical data is determined. This is due to the considerable dispersion of the geophysical and the geochemical data by the branches and the spheres of the research. So, the collection of the diversified data, their processing and the interpretation have become the important component of the method. The method of the conjugate analysis of the components has given the possibility to catch out the dependence between the processes and the appropriateness in the “processresult” chain. It is studied out that the unity of the dry land and the marine components of the coastal zones is insufficiently studied. It is explained with the complicated character of the interaction between the coastal landscapes and the considerable versatility of theinteraction between the coastal dry lands and the water area of the seas. The fragmentary character and the dispersion of the primary information on the dynamics of the coastal landscapes complicate the process of the research of such interaction. It should be noted, that the integration between the theories of the research of the dry land and the sea is still weak. The main complexity is that for now the structure of the process monitoring in the dry land and in the sea is different and it does not promote the integration of these researches. It is installed that the different in the structure and the functioning of the landscape has been formulated in the coastal zone of the seas. It is caused with the combination of the natural factors (microclimate, coastal abrasion and accumulation, infiltration of the marine waters, salt metabolism) with the maritime activity of the human (fishing, recreation, sea transport, tourism). It has been proved that all kinds of the dynamics between the contrasting environments, including the coastal areas, we can attribute to the para-dynamics. The processes of the interaction of the dry lands and the water areas within the coastal zones are determined with their geomorphological, microclimatic and migratory components. They can be happened through the migration of the ions, the salts and their solutions, the display of the breeze circulation, humidity of the air, the migration of the living organisms and others. The variety of the interaction is heightened with the high dynamism of the coastal processes. It is caused the high variability and the dynamic lithomas, which are connected with the surfing and the increase or the decrease of the water activities of the sea water. The surfing of the sorting of the bottom sedimentary and the formation of the zones of the variegated sedimentary in the different distance of the coastal are happened. The move of the coastalmarine drifts along isobathes of the coastline slope is found, which on the dry land physically cannot be in progress. More intensive comparatively with dry land migration of the soil solution is installed, which slows the formation of the soil coverage of the coastal zone. It is installed, that in the basic of the paradigm lies the material, the energetic and the informational exchange between the dry land and the sea. The number of the multidirectional material-energetic flows and the transpositions is disclosed in the coastal zone such as longitudinal and diametrical. The availability of the hydrogenous, the wind-circulation, and hemogeneous interactions were analyzed and reinforced with the examples. The result of such interaction is the diversified formation such as from the features of the relief to the increase of the concentrates and the complexes of the living organisms. The features of the energy paradigms in the coastal areas of the sea are revealed. The large number of the energy flows is directed from the dry land near the sea.

Assessment of karst geomorphosites on Kučaj and Beljanica mountains as a resource for the development of karst-based geopark

Protection and promotion of geoheritage has been changing and improving in recent decades, in line with the growing research in this field. Some research papers specifically study geomorphological geoheritage and introduce a special term − geomorphosite. Karst geomorphosites present specific objects of geomorphological heritage. On Kučaj and Beljanica mountains there is the largest karst area in Serbia. The purpose of this paper is to select and evaluate the scientific value of karst geomorphosites of Kučaj and Beljanica. More than one hundred karst geomorphosites were analyzed. In order to achieve more adequate coverage and representation, they were grouped into 25 geomorphotypes in three major geomorphological components of the investigated area. The results of this analysis highlighted the most important natural potentials of this area for establishing a karst-based geopark. More than 20 geomorphotypes have a positive recommendation index, which provides a good basis for further geotourism analysis.

A 2D finite volume simulation tool to enable the assessment of combined hydrological and morphodynamical processes in mountain catchments

Nowadays, the great power of modern computers allows to develop computational models able to deal with simulations of several coupled phenomena over detailed complex topography. An efficient and properly calibrated computational model represents a useful tool to provide insight into the catchment dynamics at hydrological and geomorphological levels. In addition, it allows to develop detailed risk management and conservation plans. In this work, we present a coupled surface-groundwater distributed flow model with hydrological (rainfall and infiltration) and geomorphological (suspended and bed load sediment transport) components. The coupled model is applied to well characterized experimental catchments that are used as realistic test cases. The calibration of the water flow model response to rainfall is performed by means of the fitting to experimental outlet hydrographs of the results supplied by a coupled formulation of 2D Shallow Water Equations and 2D Darcy’s law for saturated porous media connected via suitable infiltration laws. The calibration of a suspended and bed load model is also addressed by means of the fitting to experimental outlet sedigraphs. The numerical results show a good agreement between numerical and observed hydrographs and sedigraphs, significantly improving previous published simulations. Additionally, the need to repeat the simulations in the calibration processes is no longer an unapproachable problem.

Definición de la ronda hídrica del río Cauca entre La Balsa y Mediacanoa

El objetivo de esta investigación fue delimitar la ronda hídrica del río Cauca en el tramo comprendido entre La Balsa y Mediacanoa. Para ello se analizaron diferentes metodologías y adicionalmente se consideraron los criterios de Zona de Flujo Preferente (ZFP) y Zona de Inundación Peligrosa (ZIP) indicadas por el Ministerio del Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible (MADS), para la delimitación de la ronda hídrica, al igual que la i) localización de los diques marginales de protección según lo estipulado en el Acuerdo 052 de 2011 de la Corporación Autónoma Regional del Valle del Cauca (CVC) y el componente ecosistémico y ii) componentes ecosistémico y geomorfológico. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que, al aplicar el criterio de Zona de Inundación Peligrosa el área requerida para la ronda hídrica es de 25,153 hectareas, lo que equivale al 84% del área total de la planicie aluvial del río Cauca entre La Balsa y Mediacanoa. Aunque las propuestas evaluadas no cumplen con el criterio de Zona de Flujo Preferente, permitirían disminuir los niveles de agua del río Cauca hasta 0.67 m respecto a la condición actual. Considerando la dinámica y las condiciones particulares del río Cauca en el sector comprendido entre La Balsa y Mediacanoa, y los resultados aquí obtenidos en este estudio se confirma que las metodologías propuestas en España (Territorio Fluvial Sostenible), Holanda y Colombia (MADS) son las más completas para lograr la recuperación y conservación de las zonas ripiarias de los ríos. Por lo tanto, se estableció y aplicó una metodología que considera los aspectos más relevantes de cada una de estas tres metodológías.

Factors affecting eco-geomorphological dynamics in two contrasting Mediterranean environments

Southern Spain is characterized by a longitudinal pluviometric gradient over a distance of approximately 260 km, where the annual rainfall ranges from 1668 mm y−1 in the west (Sierra de Grazalema) to only 150 mm y−1 in the east (Cabo de Gata). Along this gradient during the last 70 years there have been trends of increasing rain in the west and increasing aridity in the east. The threshold annual rainfall level separating these regions is approximately 500 mm. For this study we selected two experimental basins having different geo-morphodynamic variables, each representing one side of this threshold. We used these basins for analysis of changes in land use and characterization of physiographic, soil cover, physical, chemical, and hydrological variables. We developed a database, applied statistical normalization, and then performed principal component analysis to identify the main geomorphological components explaining the variance. Our quantitative and cartographic results identified particular factors (vegetated areas, water resources, and soil degradation) that most control geomorphological processes, and explain the landscape dynamics in this region over recent decades.

Favourable and Restrictive Factors for Quercus pubescens in the Transylvanian Basin, Evaluated by GIS Techniques

A very simple analysis of the forested areas across the Transylvanian Basin shows that they cover approximately 45.8% of the area, according to data provided by the European Environment Agency. In order to extend the areas covered by forests, especially over badlands specific for the Transylvanian Basin and to increase the economic and environmental value of these lands, a GIS model of spatial analysis has been developed to identify the areas favourable for downy oak (Quercus pubescens) plantations, a forest species which has specific requirements in terms of adaptability conditions. The developed spatial analysis model is based on the unitary analysis of the climatic, soil and geomorphologic components, spatially materialized as raster format databases, and their integration according to spatial analysis equations in order to get a modelled database which represents spatially the favourable areas for the creation of downy oak plantations. The result of this study highlights the territories which provide favourable but also restrictive conditions for Quercus pubescens. The model has a high predictability rate taking as comparative reference the direct monitoring at the level of forest planning units (PUs) within Cluj County, identified from the analysis of forestry plans. The high validation rate of the proposed model was obtained by overlapping the favourability classes which themselves were obtained after modelling with the limits of the forest planning units where the consistency of the downy oak is greater than 0.7. According to the presented validation procedure, a 93% validation rate was obtained, fact which highlights the usefulness of applying the model in areas having similar features and its extrapolation in areas where the environmental conditions present only slight differences.
 
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 In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 4, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.
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РЕЛЬЄФ І ПРОСТОРОВА СТРУКТУРА ҐРУНТОВОГО ПОКРИВУ ЛЬВІВСЬКОЇ ОБЛАСТІ

The problem of influence of meso- and macrorelief on the spatial structure of the cover was studied based on the example of Lviv Region. Analysis of relief and correlation was considered at the level of catenae and spatial-structural (soil combinations, associations, variations, varieties). Geomorphological component of Lviv Region was analyzed at the level of below taxa: area, subarea. The study detailed morphogenetic description of the key areas of the plain (Male Polissia, Volyno-Podillia, Roztochchia and Precarpathians) and mountainous (Skybovyi (Outer) and Vododilno-Verkhovynski (Water Divide-Ьountainous) Carpathians) parts of Lviv Region. Accordingly, potential spatial structure of the cover of the region has been analyzed on the basis of medium-scale mapping. As a result of comparison of the meso- and microrelief of the main areas with the cover, its potential spatial structures and dependence on the relief have been substantiated. It was established that for the group of plane-undulating accumulative central Male Polissia regions, pit relief is favorable for the formation of spots and complexes of types. Peripheral denudation-accumulative undulating plains cause formation of catenae of eroded soils, variations of the range-dendrite type of structure combinations. For еру structurally-denuded undulating hills of Volyno-Podillia and Roztochchia, the mesorelief causes the development of the range and range-dendrite forms of combinations of the structure, as well as mosaic combinations expressed in the form of slope catenae. Formation of altitudinal arrangement of combinations is associated with the relief stratification of the Carpathian regions. On the other hand, the disjointed nature of these uplands is favorable for the formation of dendrite variety of the spatial structure of the cover. Mesorelief represented by the residual hills, offshoots, mountain depressions are typical for the mountains of Beskydy (Beskid Mountains) and Vododilno-Verkhovynski geomorphological regions where rocks of varying resistance are widespread. This mesorelief involves the formation of spotted, striped and dendritic forms of mosaics, combinations of varieties of spatial structure of soils. In general, ratio of soil-geographic and zoning at the regional level indicates certain correspondence between the units geomorphological subregion, geomorphological area and taxa soil region, soil district. This correspondence can be illustrated by the example of the map of and zoning of Lviv Region. Key words: relief, soil, zoning, spatial structure, Lviv Region.

ГЕОМОРФОЛОГІЧНІ ЕКСКУРСІЇ ЯК ЗАСІБ ПІЗНАННЯ ТРАНСФОРМАЦІЙ РЕЛЬЄФУ м.КИЄВА

The combination of landforms under urban areas of Kyiv plays a decisive role in the formation and development of the city. Various morphosystems of the city has experienced significant transformations over the long-lasting history of Kyiv, which find the reflection in the modern terrain of the cityGeomorphological excursions as a kind of scientific and cognitive activity became one of the ways to explore the relief of the city, learn the interaction of the geomorphological component of the urban landscape and the development of the city at its various historical stages. It’s a promising component of the study program for Earth Science students as long as it’s the best method for studying typical for urban geosystems processes and phenomenons. Excursions ought to fulfill several functions such as scientific propaganda, popularization of geomorphological science, have informative and educational value. According to the main methodological principles, creating a new excursion demands following specific steps, including selection of the goals and purposes of the tour, major and minor destinations due to the topic of the tour, designing tour routes and organizing the final text materials for the tours. There are four geomorphological tours represented in the article. The main purpose of the first excursion is to determine the impact of the landforms features on the construction of Kyiv fortification and to highlight the landscape transformations of the explored areas. The scientific aspect of this route includes exploration of the remnants of the great Kiev retrenchment, the signs of the landslide processes on the right bank slopes of Dnipro river. The second tour is aimed at studying of the transformation of Kyiv ravens - Babyn Yar and Repiiahiv yar , in particular. Due to its purpose of getting students acquainted with the influence of the natural conditions of the area on the course of historical events, the main objects are virgin original landscapes of the ravens as well as transformed areas, the drainage of the stream Babyn Yar and the evidence of an industrial disaster - Kureniv tragedy. The third excursion, highlighted in the article, is aimed at revealing the transformation of the Goloseivsky Forest and provides an overview of the natural and man-made forest landscapes, the influence of the geological and geomorphological conditions of the territory on its economic development, planning and development of the city. The fourth tour aims to provide an insight into the unique natural features and peculiarities of the Kiev hills’ history, as a center of the city formation. The tour is a great way to increase knowledge of the influence of geomorphological conditions on the development of Kyiv at different historical stages, the differentiation of functional parts of the city due to the landforms contrast. Geomorphological excursions demonstrated in the article are the most representative as long as they provide a comprehensive understanding of the relief of the Kiev urban sphere, help to track the development of the city throughout all historical epochs, learn geomorphological factors and their impact on the development of different parts of Kyiv.

Adaptive management in the context of barriers in European freshwater ecosystems

Many natural habitats have been modified to accommodate for the presence of humans and their needs. Infrastructures – such as hydroelectric dams, weirs, culverts and bridges – are now a common occurrence in streams and rivers across the world. As a result, freshwater ecosystems have been altered extensively, affecting both biological and geomorphological components of the habitats. Many fish species rely on these freshwater ecosystems to complete their lifecycles, and the presence of barriers has been shown to reduce their ability to migrate and sustain healthy populations. In the long run, barriers may have severe repercussions on population densities and dynamics of aquatic animal species. There is currently an urgent need to address these issues with adequate conservation approaches. Adaptive management provides a relevant approach to managing barriers in freshwater ecosystems as it addresses the uncertainties of dealing with natural systems, and accommodates for future unexpected events, though this approach may not be suitable in all instances. A literature search on this subject yielded virtually no output. Hence, we propose a step-by-step guide for implementing adaptive management, which could be used to manage freshwater barriers.

Geomorphodiversity index: Quantifying the diversity of landforms and physical landscape.

The physical landscape is the mosaic resulting from a wide spectrum of environmental components. The landforms define the variety, or diversity, of the geomorphological component: the geomorphodiversity. Landforms are usually represented in thematic maps where the scale and the graphic solutions are widely heterogeneous. Since geomorphological maps are not always easy to obtain and standardize, topography might be used as a proxy to infer the morphological signature. To recognize, evaluate, and in some cases promote the geomorphodiversity of an area, a numerical assessment is preferable. Through the use of quantitative approaches, indexes can be defined which quantitatively characterize the physical landscape in a discretized space consisting of continuous and regular cells. In this approach each cell is labelled with an algebraic value, which increases with the diversity degree. In this paper a quantitative index for geomorphodiversity is estimated stressing the topographic variables derived from Digital Elevation Models in a GIS environment. The resulting index is the sum of the variety of each terrain parameter taken into account. The areas characterized by the highest value of geomorphodiversity index show a good correspondence with well-known situations in the region where not always the geological heritage is properly acknowledged. The areas characterized by the lowest value of geodiversity correspond to the center of some intermountain basins of the region. Being the index strictly related to the topographic variety, this result is quite obvious but not easily predictable since in some flat areas the index is higher. Comparing the results with the geomorphological map of the area performs a validation procedure for the method. A positive correlation is found between the index calculated and the presence/absence of landforms. The paper shows that the index is a useful and simple tool for the identification, analysis and promotion of the geological heritage.