Mountainous Part Research Articles

Discovery of Anthophora onosmarum Morawitz, 1876 in Europe (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Anthophora onosmarum is a poorly known bee species described from the Caucasus (Georgia). New fieldwork has revealed that the species is present in Bulgaria and Greece, and is also widespread across Turkey, predominantly on the Anatolian plateau. New behavioural data shows that A. onosmarum is likely narrowly oligolectic on the plant genus Onosma (Boraginaceae), and is capable of buzzing flowers to release pollen. This finding illustrates the growing trend of overlooked bee species with more Caucasian, Anatolian, or even Middle Eastern distributions occurring in under-surveyed mountainous parts of the Southern Balkans.

New insights into the crustal structures of the Arabian Plate and surrounding plates unveiled from the crustal thickness model and its implications for geodynamics

Geodynamics of the Arabian Peninsula is less understood as crustal structures are not well delineated due to uneven distribution and lack of seismic measurements and ground based geophysical data in the Arabian interior. To address this, we delineated crustal structures in the Arabian Peninsula through the creation of a crustal thickness model from the inversion of GOCO60s gravity field model, which revealed details on the underlying crustal structures. Our model revealed strong crustal thickness variations in the Zagros fold belt that indicates high deformational history and crustal reworked, which also reflect directional collisional events between the Arabian and Eurasian Plates, similar to the Himalaya type as the result of mantle processes. The resolved crustal structures also reveal a relatively slow rifting process on the southern end of the Red Sea than at the northern end, which resulted in the bulging of crust in the southern part of Zagros Fold Mountains. Further, folding and bulging of crustal structures is more intense near the Arabian Platform and slower on the Eurasian side, which could indicate a relatively stable Eurasian plate compared to the geodynamically active Arabian Plate. Overall improvement in our high-resolution crustal thickness model yields an improved representation of crustal structures over previously derived models of the Arabian Peninsula and the Surrounding plates that indicates a variation in the Proterozoic crust in Arabian Plate, possibly indicating a secular variation in the crustal structure.

Geological Sites of the Anergui Region: Description and Place in the Alpine Geological History of the M'goun UNESCO Global Geopark (Morocco)

The M'goun UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the central part of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Numerous studies have highlighted the richness of the geological heritage of this area. Despite these increased efforts in characterization, some areas, such as Anergui, remain underexplored. This mediation work aims to describe the most significant geological landscapes of this region and place them within the broader geological history framework of the UNESCO M'Goun Geopark, thereby enriching the list of geosites within this geopark and promoting geological awareness in the area. This study focused on describing 16 geosites selected based on scientific, educational and geotourism values. These geosites stand out for their geodiversity, showcasing both deep-seated and surface geological phenomena. They provide an excellent framework for understanding the alpine geological history of the M'Goun Geopark. Each site bears witness to one or several key stages of this history, highlighting the extension of the High Atlas basin, the development of carbonate platforms, Jurassic diapirism and magmatism, Late Cretaceous and Tertiary compression, Tertiary and Quaternary uplift, and erosion, resulting in a variety of geological features relating to deformation and alteration.

Challenges of sustainable development of regions and rural tourism in Georgia

The paper discusses the type of rural tourism as an independent direction, especially its importance in the mountainous part of Georgia. This priority direction in regional tourism includes such important aspects as orientation of tourists to the consumption of ecological resources, protection of the natural environment, preservation of traditional lifestyle for the population of peripheral regions. It is confirmed that rural tourism in the modern world is considered by specialists to be the most promising field of employment for the rural population. It should be noted that the development of tourism business in rural areas will contribute to solving socio-economic problems, reducing unemployment and raising the standard of living. The purpose of the study is to reveal the possibilities of rural tourism development in the mountainous areas of Georgia, which will bring the results of sustainable development to the region and the local community.

Characteristics of air temperature on the southern and southeastern slopes of the Greater Caucasus in the modern period

In the paper, the characteristics of air temperature in the south part of the Greater Caucasus region and the effects of regional climate changes on this area in the modern period were studied. In the research, the air temperature observation data of 8 hydrometeorological stations operating in the region for the years 1961-2022 were used, and the modern classification of the average monthly, seasonal, annual and altitude time-space distributions of temperature was given.Based on the data of hydrometeorological stations in the south and southeast piedmonts of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, an electronic map was prepared for the distribution of average annual air temperature indicators on the territory, and for determining the indicators of areas without data. DEM (Digital Elevation Model) files obtained fromthe decoding of satellite images (satellite data) were used in the prepared map. The research shows that July and August are the hottest months when the temperature is 22.80C, while January is the coldest by temperature about 0.50C in this region. In this part of the Greater Caucasus province, in the cold months of the year, the average monthly temperature is indicating below 00C in the area located above the moderately mountainous part of the region. The dynamics of the average indicators of temperature of the multi-year period (1961-2022) are expressed by a positive trend. The average annual temperature distribution map of the territory shows that the air temperature is 15.00C in the low mountainous part of the region, while it decreases upwards and, according to the adiabatic law, equals 00C at altitudes above 3500 m. According to the climate studies conducted in the region, compared to the years 1981-2010, it was found that there was a temperature increase of 1.20C in the mountainous region in 2011-2022. Also, a comparative analysis of 10-year averages of air temperature trends, using the Holt- Winters model, shows that temperatures in 2100 are expected to increase by 3.00C compared to 2030. In the region, climate changes that worsen every year lead to water scarcity, desertification, drought, etc. and can expand the area of recurrence of environmental crises and destructive natural events. This research can be used in future climate change mitigation , climate atlases, infrastructure, agricultural and industrial projects in the region.

Changes in the air temperature regime across the Dniester River basin at the beginning of the 21st century

The relevance of the chosen topic is based on the goals and objectives of the Water Strategy of Ukraine until 2050 that provides for promotion of studies on the impact of climate change on the water content of Ukrainian rivers. The Dniester River is a transboundary river. It supplies water to Moldova and several regions of Ukraine. Predicting possible changes in the Dniester River's runoff due to global warming will help our society adapt to new climate conditions and take preventive measures. The research of the mountainous part of the watershed is of particular importance, as it is the area of runoff formation. Warming can change contribution of the snow component to the river's feed pattern and affect the total river flow. The object of the study: changes in air temperature due to global warming. The subject of the study: assessment of changes in the temperature regime within the Dniester watershed and impact of such changes on formation of its mountainous part's runoff. The study is aimed at assessing the changes in the air temperature regime within the Dniester River watershed at the beginning of the 21st century and assessing the impact of warming during winter season on formation of mountain rivers' spring floods. The main research methods include the method of difference integral curves and the method of regression analysis. The research materials include average monthly and annual air temperatures at 13 meteorological stations located within the Dniester watershed for the period of 1947-2021. The research indicated that the Dniester watershed is subject to warming. Statistically significant changes in air temperature began in 1988. Fluctuations in average annual air temperatures occur synchronously. Positive statistically significant trends over the entire observation period (1947-2021) were found for average annual air temperatures, average monthly temperatures of both warm and cold periods, and for the winter season. When considering two measurement periods (before 1989 and after), it was found that no statistically significant trends were observed before 1989. They were formed after 1989. It was also discovered that mountainous watersheds of the Ukrainian Carpathians respond to warming by forming negative trends in the fluctuations of average monthly runoff of spring floods.

First record of the species Encyonema bonapartei Heudre, C.E.Wetzel & Ector (Cymbellales, Bacillariophyceae) in Serbia

Encyonema bonapartei Heudre, C.E.Wetzel & Ector is a diatom species originally documented in 2016, following its discovery in three canals in the eastern region of France. In 2021, an extensive hydrobiological survey in a mountainous part of southwestern Serbia led to the first finding of this taxon outside of France, i.e. in the Uvac Special Nature Reserve – in Lake Zlatar (Zlatarsko jezero) and in the Marić River (Marića reka). Detailed light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy observations of a large population recorded in Lake Zlatar confirmed the unique morphological characteristics of E. bonapartei, which is also the first record for the diatom flora of Serbia. The present work provides new information on the distribution and ecological preferences of E. bonapartei, taking into account physical and chemical characteristics of its habitats in Serbia.

Plant Formations Found in Xerophytic (Arid) Sparse Forests in the Azerbaijan Territory and Their Protection

Based on the ecological and geobotanical studies conducted in xerophytic (arid) sparse forests in the territory of Azerbaijan and the study of the relevant literature, a classification scheme was developed taking into account xerophytic tree species that form such groups as Caragana grandiflora DC. and Astragalus microcephalus Willd. In the course of the study, based on phytocoenological principles, a xerophytic (arid) sparse forest type of vegetation was noted in the Turyanchay Reserve, in the mountainous part of the Lankaran-Yardymli district, in Nakhchivan and the Gabala district located on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus. It was established that this type of vegetation consists of 1 formation class, 2 formation groups and 2 associations. A geobotanical description and species composition of the formations was carried out and it was established that the sparse forests of Caraganeta-Pistacetum-Juniperosum, found in the leguminous shrubs, need protection from the negative impact of anthropogenic factors. And this, in turn, creates the basis for the conservation of plant formations found in the forest ecosystems of Azerbaijan.

Comparison of population genetic structure of Pinus mugo Turra forest stands in the Giant Mountains by analysis of nSSR molecular marker data

Abstract Pinus mugo (dwarf mountain pine) communities in the protected area of Krkonoše National Park are extremely valuable. After extensive deforestation during the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries, P. mugo recovered naturally in some parts of the Giant Mountains, and in some places imported seeds were likely used for reforestation. To distinguish between native and possibly introduced local P. mugo populations, genetic variations between 12 populations from the Czech Sudeten part of the Giant Mountains and between the two populations from the Tatra Mountains were analysed using 12 nuclear microsatellite markers (nuclear simple sequence repeats). Based on the simple sequence repeat data, 146 alleles were found, and Shannon’s information index, number of private alleles, and expected heterozygosity (HE) of populations averaged 1.12, 0.16, and 0.53, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance indicated that most of the variation was detected within populations. Low levels of genetic differentiation were also observed (average FST = 0.023). The population structure was examined by Bayesian clustering. The results of STRUCTURE analysis confirmed that the introduced populations were different from the autochthonous populations. Some of the introduced Czech Sudeten populations had similar genetic structure as the more distant native populations from the Tatra Mountains. Our results provide important genetic information for the reconstruction of natural communities in the Giant Mountains.

Extent of gross underestimation of precipitation in India

Abstract. The underestimation of precipitation (UoP) in the hilly and mountainous parts of South Asia is estimated by some studies to be as large as the observed precipitation (P). However, UoP has been analyzed to only a limited extent across India. To help bridge this gap, watershed-scale UoP was analyzed using various P datasets within a water imbalance analysis. Among these P datasets, the often-used Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) dataset is of primary interest. The gross UoP was identified by analyzing the extent of the imbalance in the annual water budget of watersheds corresponding to 242 river gauging stations for which quality-controlled data on catchment boundaries and streamflow are available. The water year (WY)-based volume of observed annual P was compared against the observed annual streamflow (R) and the satellite-based actual evapotranspiration (ET). Across many watersheds of both Northern and Peninsular India, spurious water imbalance scenarios (P≤R or P≪R+ET) were realized. It is shown that the management of water, such as groundwater extraction, reservoir storage and water diversion, is generally minimal compared to the annual P in such watersheds. It is also shown that annual changes in terrestrial water storage are minimal compared to the annual P in such watersheds. Assuming that data on R (and, to a lesser extent, ET) are reliable, it is concluded that UoP is very likely the cause of this imbalance. Inter-watershed groundwater flow (IGF) is assumed to be negligible. While the effect of IGF on R is unknown, examples are provided which show that IGF is unlikely to be the cause of the observed imbalance in certain watersheds. All 12 of the P datasets analyzed here suffer from UoP, but the extent of the UoP varies by dataset and region. The reanalysis-based datasets ERA5-Land and IMDAA are less affected by UoP than the IMD dataset. Based on the 30-year period of WY 1985–2014, P for the whole of India could be as much as 19 % (ERA5-Land) to 37 % (IMDAA) higher than that from the IMD, with substantial variability within years and river basins. The actual magnitude of UoP is speculated to be even greater. Moreover, trends seen in the IMD's P are not always present in ERA5-Land and IMDAA. Studies using IMD should exercise caution since UoP could lead to the misrepresentation of water budgets and long-term trends. Limitations of this study are discussed.

The Palaeozoic of a future high potential hydrocarbon fold-thrust belt through the Zagros Basin, Iran

The Zagros Fold-and-Thrust Belt is one of the world's richest hydrocarbon regions, with Palaeozoic sediments being a key element in hydrocarbon plays. The main aim of this research is to provide a model for the formation and development of the sedimentary basin during the Palaeozoic Era in the Zagros and Persian Gulf regions. We utilize data from exploratory wells and surface outcrops of Palaeozoic sediments specifically in the northern parts of Iran's Zagros Mountains. The seismic profiles of the eastern region of the Persian Gulf provide more detailed information due to their distance from the Zagros hinterland. The investigation reveals that folds with wavelengths of several tens of km were formed on the Infra-Cambrian Hormuz Salt or its equivalent décollement.This study has identified halokinetic activities as the primary cause of Palaeozoic deformations in the Zagros region, with tectonic and orogenic factors playing a secondary role. The Palaeozoic sediments are divided into pre-kinematic, syn-kinematic and post-kinematic categories. Sedimentary sequences possibly including the Palaeozoic hydrocarbon source rock could be present throughout the study area.

Этнокультурный туризм в системе рекреационного природопользования Северо-Восточного Кавказа

The aim of the work is to study the problems and prospects of ethno-cultural tourism development in the North-Eastern Caucasus and to assess its role in recreational nature management. Research methods: geographical, comparative-historical, demographic and ethno-cultural analysis of the territory, method of statistical processing of information and geo-system approach. Research results. The structure of ethno-cultural tourism potential including objects of natural and historical-cultural heritage, pilgrimages and unique intangible cultural heritage (art, culture, traditions and customs) was substantiated. The geographical pattern of distribution of historical and cultural heritage objects has been studied, which consists in the following: in the plain part these objects are represented mainly by houses of famous scientists, architects, artists and poets, obelisks, etc., and in the mountain zone–by tower complexes, above-ground crypts, bas-reliefs and other structures. The main types of traditional folk crafts and handicrafts (carpet weaving, felt making, jewelry, gun smithing, metal carving on wood, etc.) preserved up to nowadays as the most important resource of ethno-cultural tourism are shown. The significant share of creative potential has been identified in the mountainous part of the North-Eastern Caucasus. Conclusion. The results of the study show that the potential of ethno-cultural tourism in the North-Eastern Caucasus is not fully utilized. And this is reflected in its weak role in the system of recreational nature management. It is proved that for more effective utilization of this potential it is necessary to develop science-based approaches. The complex of problems that hinder the development of ethno-cultural tourism in the region of study is identified (shortage of highly qualified personnel, low level of service, poorly developed infrastructure, especially in mountainous areas, weak promotion of tourism products, etc.). It is shown that their decision will allow to bring this type of tourism to a higher level of economic development. It is recommended to emphasize the combination of traditional and innovative approaches in the system of recreational nature management, including ethno-cultural branding of recreation objects. The results of the study can be applied in the development of regional strategies for tourism development in the North-Eastern Caucasus, in the formation of regional and interregional tourism and recreation clusters.

ANALYSIS OF MOVEMENT DATA FROM GPS-MONITORED LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOGS (LGDS) AT TWO SHEEPFOLDS IN THE NORTH-WESTERN MARAMURES LAND, ROMANIA USING THE KERNEL DENSITY ESTIMATION METHOD. IMPLICATIONS FOR OUTDOOR TOURISM

The Carpathians and other mountainous regions around the world are renowned for their specific landscapes shaped by pastoralism, a millennia-old traditional and sustainable economic system. In Romania, this traditional occupation has an established place within the Romanian culture. In an environment where large predators are present, the livestock owners and shepherds have traditionally relied, and still do, on livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) to protect the flock against carnivores or theft, therefore, the dogs are perceived as an integral component of the traditional pastoral system. However, from late April until the end of September, many outdoor recreational activities like hiking, mountain trail running, or biking overlap with the pastoral calendar, creating a potential for conflict between two, very different categories of landscape users, with recurring incidents happening over the years. In this study, a winter GPS monitoring campaign was proposed, between November 2023 and January 2024 that used GPS professional collars to track the movements of two livestock guardian dogs stationed at two sheepfolds located at their winter bases in the hills at the foot of Ignis Mountains (part of the Romanian northern Carpathians) from northwestern Maramureș Land, Romania. The campaign generated point-based spatiotemporal data processed and analyzed in M. Excel and QGIS using Kernel density estimation as the main method to generate metrics and identify potential clusters of LGD activity in their usual environment. The results highlight high observational clusters near the winter folds but also lower observational clusters in areas situated hundreds of meters distance around the main compound, in certain locations. Although temporally limited, the results have the potential to help the understanding of the animal's preferred zone of habitation and substantiate future win-win cohabitation solutions that minimize conflictual encounters between the shepherds and their guardian dogs on one side, as primary land users, and outdoor recreationists as other landscape users.

RELIEF AND GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF REGIONAL LANDSCAPE PARKS “PRYTYSIANSKYI” AND “CHERNIVETSKYI”

Eight regional landscape parks (RLP) are located on the territory of the Ukrainian Carpathians, which play an important role in relief and natural complexes protecting within the region. RLP significantly complements the nature protection functions of two nature reserves and 13 national parks in the Ukrainian Carpathians. Six RLPs are located in the mountainous part of the region, and regional landscape parks "Prytisyanskyi" and "Chernivetskyi" are within the premountain uplands, the natural complexes of which are insufficiently protected. Within the boundaries of the Precarpathian Upland there are sections of two national nature parks such as Halytskyi and Hutsulshchyna. There are no nature reserves or national nature parks within the Zakarpattia (Transcarpathian) Plain. Regional landscape parks "Prytisyanskyi" and "Chernivetskyi" due to the cluster structure of the territories significantly improve the state of protection of premountain natural complexes. In the relief of the southern section of RLP "Prytisyanskyi", the dominant position covers by the low and high floodplains, less often by the first floodplain terrace of the Tysa River. The relief of the northern part of the park is represented by low and high floodplains, fragments of the first floodplain terrace. A complex of different types of meanders is observed in the channel of Latoritsa River. RLP "Prytisyanskyi" fairly fully represents the features of the geological structure and fluvial relief of the Uzhgorod-Beregivska and Vylok-Korolevska alluvial plains of the Zakarpattia (Transcarpathian) Plain with island volcanic hills. Most of the territory of RLP "Chernivetskyi" on the west and south from Chernivtsi city covers by Chernivtsi Upland with a layered and hilly sculptural relief and Mount Tsetsyna (537 m). The park includes separate sections of low terraces along the Prut River. The northern part of the RLP is represented by the Khotyn Upland with Mount Berda (516 m) as the highest point of the Ukraine’s plain part within the East European Platform. The Khotyn Upland is an asymmetric hilly plateau. Its the highest peaks are formed by structural surfaces with steep slopes. The lower level of relief in the RLP is represented by watersheds with karst forms (karst funnels, polje). RLP "Chernivetskyi" represents the geological and geomorphological structure of the Chernivtsi-Storozhynetsky strand-hilly upland of the Pokut-Bukovinsk-Peredkarpattian stratum-denudation-accumulative Upland, as well as the Khotyn structural Upland of the Prut-Dnister stratum-wave Plain. Keywords: Regional landscape park; RLP "Prytisyanskyi"; RLP "Chernivetskyi"; Ukrainian Carpathians; relief.

REGIONAL MANIFESTATIONS OF THE DETERIORATION OF THE NATURAL CONDITIONS OF HEAT AND MOISTURE SUPPLY OF THE TERRITORY IN THE CONDITIONS OF MAINTAINING THE SUSTAINABLE FUNCTIONING OF ECONOMY SYSTEMS IN THE TERRITORY OF TERNOPIL REGION

The publication examines the influence of regional manifestations of the deterioration of natural conditions (moisture supply and unfavorable thermal parameters) on agricultural management. Global climate changes are superimposed by regional manifestations of adverse processes, such as the emission of greenhouse gases generated by an unbalanced land structure, in which we observe an excessive share of arable land. Excessive plowing of the territory leads to increased production of greenhouse gases by arable land, which complicates the manifestation of the greenhouse effect at the local level. Data on the structure of land plots of Ternopil region and Borsukiv territorial community are given. Attention is drawn to the map scheme of changes in the moisture supply of the territory of Ukraine, according to which a very wet climatic annual balance will be preserved only in the mountainous part of the Carpathians, Ternopil region will go from wet to insufficiently wet in its southeastern part, and over time, according to the forecast of 2100, to an insufficiently wet balance in the greater its territory At the same time, about 55% of the southeastern regions are threatened by dry and very dry climatic annual balance. According to the authors, the search for ways to solve the problem can be found in the optimization of land use. The algorithm of the optimization model is prescribed in the methodology of Professor Mykhailo Grodzynskii and consists in determining and ranking the development priorities of the research area and achieving a scientifically justified ratio between natural and anthropogenic land areas. Based on the materials of the Borsukiv territorial community, an optimization model of land use was created, according to which it is proposed to reduce the share of arable land from 65% to 45% due to the removal of heavily eroded and poorly productive lands from the arable wedge and their transfer to liming and afforestation, the share of which in the land use structure of the territorial community increased respectively 21% and 23%. Such optimization measures will ensure the transition from the emission of greenhouse gases by land to their assimilation by forest and meadow vegetation. Increasing the share of forests by 14% will contribute to a 5% increase in precipitation of local origin, which is especially important for stabilizing the water balance of the territory. An increase in the share of natural vegetation will contribute to the maintenance of ecological balance, restoration of biotic and landscape diversity, improved water balance, and natural living conditions of the population.Increasing or stabilizing the degree of humidification of territories under the conditions of global and regional climate changes is becoming an important scientific and applied problem, the solution of which requires the development and implementation of strategic tasks of sustainable development at the levels of regional, administrative and district territorial entities, the level of territorial communities, Starosty districts. Taking into account the priority criteria for the development of territorial entities is the first stage of optimizing the use of nature in these administrative-territorial entities. The second stage of the landscape and ecological optimization of territories is the substantiation of the ratio of natural and anthropogenic lands. Land optimization will contribute to tireless use of nature and the balancing of basic natural processes with anthropogenic ones. In the future, we envisage the creation of optimization models of land use for all territorial communities of the region, which will optimize the development of natural and economic systems. Keywords: regional manifestations of climatic conditions, land use structure, optimization, territorial community.

Vulnerability of the Pteridoflora Towards Climate Change in the West Albertine Rift: Case of the Mountain’s Stages of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The present article aims at analysing the floristic composition of Lycophytes and Ferns to test the disturbances on the vegetation structure occurring in the mountains zones of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), further, to prove/underline the main threat and the vulnerability which actually is impacting the biodiversity in the mountains of the Western Albertine Rift due to climate changes and resulting in habitat loss as well as result of anthropogenic activities. The KBNP is located at the crossroad of the phytogeography regions of the Guinea-Congolese and Afromontane between 650 to 3326 m of altitude. During 10 years, we conducted comparison studies in the habitats (disturbed and undisturbed) encountered on the vegetation that scales between 1250 à 3300 m of altitude in 30 plots, 15 transects on a one kilometre. The results obtained reveal a variation in the flora composition within the three stages. The difference in the height, the diametric distribution (trees and shrubs) as well as the presence of Pteridophytes between undisturbed and disturbed habitats is highly significant within the 10 years’ observations. In stable and mature parcels, Pteridophytes constitute a very rich, diversified and stable population. Permanent threat manifested through the fragility of the habitats and is further translated by a modification of the floristic composition of the canopy, and sometimes trough the taming of the undergrowth in disturbed parcels. The mountainous part of the KBNP might probably constitute a climatic refuge for Pteridophytes in the Albertine Rift considering their diversity. Furthermore, considering these adaptations, the diversity and the specificity of the biotopes occupied, as well as the bioecological services recognized to Lycophytes and Ferns, they are the real markers for bioindicators of the delicatessen towards climate changes observed in the western rift Albertine. However, anthropogenic effects and sometimes, natural hazards resulting in this protected area, may also constitute a source of vulnerability for Pteridophytes

Water soil erosion modeling with RUSLE, GIS & remote sensing: A case study of the AL-Sanaoubar River basin (Syria)

Soil erosion forms a serious ecological challenge to future production and sustainability, with implications of the environmental crisis and the food supply. It is one of the more critical geomorphological problems that threaten environmental sustainability and cause soil degradation along the Syrian coast. The object of this research is to evaluate the rate of probable annual water-induced soil erosion in the AL-Sanaoubar River Basin. By Integrating geographic information system (GIS), and remote sensing techniques with the Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The results showed that the soil loss values in the AL-Sanaoubar River Basin ranged between 0–138.15 tons/ha/year, an average of 52.4 tons/ha/year. The total soil loss reached 12,606.11 tons/year for the entire studied area.The classification of possible spatial risk included five grades: very low (91.91%), low (7.62%), medium (0.35%), high (0.10%), and very high (0.01%).It has been noticed high soil erosion values in few portions of the study area, indicating that they had reached a risk stage; these sites were concentrated in the center and east of the studied basin, especially in the plateau and mountainous parts, Slope was a major factor that caused a direct impact on soil erosion. Soil erosion gradually increased with increasing slope in all types of land uses.To test the effectiveness of some soil conservation practices against water erosion, an experiment was conducted at the Mazar Qatrya site in Lattakia governorate during two consecutive seasons. Contour cultivation of the pea crop was applied at different distances, the agricultural method showed a high efficiency in reducing water erosion. Land use managers and Planners can benefit from this research to make suitable provisions and activities to conserve the soil.

Features of Distribution and Spread of <I>Hyalomma marginatum</I> (Acari, Ixodidae) Ticks in the Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever Focus in the Territory of Russia

The review provides the summarized and updated information on the current distribution of the tick Hyalomma marginatum in the natural Crimean hemorrhagic fever (CHF) focus in Russia. The work is based on the analysis of numerous literature sources, as well as the evidence from the personal collecting of ticks during long-term field research. In addition, the collection of ticks of the Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute of the Rospotrebnadzor and the database of H. marginatum collections in various regions of southern Russia were used. When delineating the boundaries of the H. marginatum areal and the CHF focus, we also deployed maps of the epidemiological survey of the focus, weekly and annual final reports on the CHF incidence from the Rospotrebnadzor Administrations. H. marginatum inhabits all regions of the Southern Federal District and the North-Caucasian Federal District, as well as the Crimean Peninsula and the south of the Saratov Region. The northern border of the areal reaches the Lugansk People’s Republic, Rostov, Volgograd, and Saratov Regions. H. marginatum is widely disseminated in the territory of Kalmykia and the Astrakhan Region. In the North Caucasus, it inhabits the entire flatland up to the foothills of the Greater Caucasus. The tick is widely distributed in the Stavropol Territory, populating the entire region. In the mountainous part of the Krasnodar Territory, this species is absent, but common in the rest of the areas. Beyond that, it is found on the Black Sea coast. In Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia and Ingushetia, the tick lives in the northern steppe regions of the republics, in some places it invades the foothills. In Chechnya and Dagestan, the species widely inhabits the steppes and semi-deserts of the Terek-Kuma Interfluve. Moreover, in Dagestan, H. marginatum lives across the plain and foothill territory of the republic and even reaches the highlands up to a height of more than 2000 m above sea level. In addition, it is widely disseminated on the Crimean peninsula, both the flatland and the mountainous part.

Soil classification and prediction model for critical land on the slopes of Mount Raung in Indonesia

Indonesia is in the ring of fire, which has an impact on the characteristics of volcanoes, one of which is Mount Raung. Mount Raung, part of the Iyang-Argopura mountains, has a role in influencing the development of soil types and the environment; it was recorded in 1586, 1987, 1597, and 1638. Soil types and environmental parameters have an influence on critical land conditions. Remote sensing technology has been used in various fields, one of which is land evaluation. This study examined the distribution of soil characteristics and the mapping of critical lands through remote sensing approaches. The method used to identify the morphological characteristics of soil classification and the potential for critical land was a descriptive-exploratory method. The results of the research on soil types are divided into three orders, namely Andisols, Inceptisols, and Alfisols. The three land orders are divided into nine great groups, with Lithic Eutrudepts having the highest area of 38.02%, followed by Typic Hapludalfs (21.70%), Typic Eutrudepts (9.79%), Typic Epiaquepts (7.84%), Aquic Eutrudepts (7.71%), Aquic Eutrudepts (5.64%), Fluventic Epiaquepts (5.30%), Typic Udivitrands (2.16%), and Vitric Hapludands (1.83%). Critical land based on the analysis of five factors of erosion, land use, slope, rainfall, and soil canopy density, is divided into four criteria i.e., critical area of 895.88 ha, medium critical 9,027.69 ha, and lightly critical of 14,096.89 ha. Land use, slope, and plant canopy density play a major role in the potential for critical land with a strong-very-strong level of closeness (0.350-0.610).

MONITORING HAZARDOUS GEOLOGICAL PROCESSES AT THE KASKELEN-TALGAR PLANT USING WITH GEODESIC METHODS

The article discusses spectrometric, comparative-morphological and landscape-indication methods of interpretation, as well as instrumental measurements with the help of which one can study hazardous geological processes. The relevance of the study is characterized by the area's susceptibility to landslides, weathering, avalanches and other processes, and the excessive density of inhabitants in the mountainous and foothill parts of the Trans-Ili Alatau, which today is home to more than 2 million people. As a result of interpretation, several maps were created that make it possible to distribute the territory of the landfill according to the degree of danger of landslides and predict the position of individual landslide-prone areas. Using instrumental measurements, displacement values on landslide slopes were determined. Instrumental observations were carried out with a high-precision tacheometer TS15, light rangefinders, and a measuring tape using benchmarks installed on landslide-prone slopes. The purpose of the research work is to conduct research work on the study of geological changes at 27 observation posts, in order to assess the impact of the hazardous geological processes on the life of the population, buildings and communications. By analyzing the results of the conducted research, we can say that it was possible to directly decipher many unstudied, hard-to-reach landslide-prone areas.