Terrain Types Research Articles

GNSS-Denied Semi-Direct Visual Navigation for Autonomous UAVs Aided by PI-Inspired Inertial Priors

This article proposes a method to diminish the horizontal position drift in the absence of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signals experienced by the VNS (Visual Navigation System) installed onboard a UAV (Unmanned Air Vehicle) by supplementing its pose estimation non-linear optimizations with priors based on the outputs of the INS (Inertial Navigation System). The method is inspired by a PI (Proportional Integral) control loop, in which the attitude and altitude inertial outputs act as targets to ensure that the visual estimations do not deviate past certain thresholds from their inertial counterparts. The resulting IA-VNS (Inertially Assisted Visual Navigation System) achieves major reductions in the horizontal position drift inherent to the GNSS-Denied navigation of autonomous UAVs. Stochastic high-fidelity Monte Carlo simulations of two representative scenarios involving the loss of GNSS signals are employed to evaluate the results and to analyze their sensitivity to the terrain type overflown by the aircraft. The authors release the C++ implementation of both the navigation algorithms and the high-fidelity simulation as open-source software.

Clustered tree size analysis of bio-productivity of Dinghushan National Nature Reserve in China

Over various terrain types, natural forests exhibit tree size and biomass variation. We started long- term research that consists of forest vegetation surveys in the Dinghushan National Nature Reserve to comprehensively investigate productivity based on the structure and species composition of China’s forest communities. We grouped the trees into three categories, i.e., as large or mature (DBH > 30 cm), medium-sized or growing (DBH 10–30 cm), and small-sized or regenerating seedlings (DBH < 10 cm). Forest data observations, i.e., species DBH, height, and biomass components (trunk, leaves, branches, above-ground dry weight, and below-ground dry weight) were recorded by use of standard protocols. All recorded observations were statistically analyzed by use of SPSS version 25. To comprehend the connections between the many elements of forest bio-productivity, linear regression analysis was utilized. Total above-ground biomass was 34.19 ± 5.75Kg/tree, but varied results were obtained when the forest was clustered based on DBH. Large-sized trees contributed an average of 2400.54 ± 510.4 kg/tree (93.24%), while medium-sized trees contributed 171.61 ± 25.06 kg/tree, and the least was regenerating seedlings which contributed 3.013 ± 0.07 kg/tree. There were positive linear relationships for all life forms between biomass and DHB, as well as DBH and height. The evergreen broadleaved shrubs were shorter in height (3.06 ± 0.99 m) than palm-leaved life forms (19.29 ± 5.39 m). Height influenced biomass accumulation and hence C gain, where life forms with tall stands had higher biomass. Generalized biomass estimation without clustering based on life forms or size class underestimates biomass components and hence lower C stocks for most forests worldwide. It’s also crucial to remember that trees with big DBH have tall, broad, well-lit crowns, which raise the primary productivity of forests and increase carbon storage. Besides natural disturbance (Typhoon) and climate change, it could be interesting to understand the relationship between soil resources such as nutrient and soil moisture content. These are factors that have direct impact on growth and biomass accumulation.

Energy-Efficient 3D Path Planning for Complex Field Scenes Using the Digital Model with Landcover and Terrain

Path planning is widely used in many domains, and it is crucial for the advancement of map navigation, autonomous driving, and robot path planning. However, existing path planning methods have certain limitations for complex field scenes with undulating terrain and diverse landcover types. This paper presents an energy-efficient 3D path planning algorithm based on an improved A* algorithm and the particle swarm algorithm in complex field scenes. The evaluation function of the A* algorithm was improved to be suitable for complex field scenes. The slope parameter and friction coefficient were respectively used in the evaluation function to represent different terrain features and landcover types. The selection of expanding nodes in the algorithm depends not only on the minimum distance but also on the minimum consumption cost. Furthermore, the turning radius factor and slope threshold factor of vehicles were added to the definition of impassable points in the improved A* algorithm, so that the accessibility of path planning could be guaranteed by excluding some bends and steep slopes. To meet the requirements for multi-target path planning, the improved A* algorithm was used as the fitness function of the particle swarm algorithm to solve the traveling salesman problem. The experimental results showed that the proposed algorithm is capable of multi-target path planning in complex field scenes. Furthermore, the path planned by this algorithm is more passable and more energy efficient. In this experimental environment model, the average energy-saving efficiency of the path planned by the improved algorithm is 14.7% compared to the traditional A* algorithm. This would be beneficial to the development of ecotourism and geological exploration.

Multiscale Analysis of Reflected Radiation on Lunar Surface Region Based on MRRT Model

The moon has stable luminosity. Radiometric calibration on the lunar region is a good step in the right direction with the expansion of instrument observation capabilities. The uneven composition and terrain types of the lunar surface make it possible for inaccuracies in albedo calculation from coarse-scale data if the within-pixel topology is overlooked. The expression between the region’s bidirectional reflectance factor (BRF) and the actual microtopography reflectance was established by the multiple reflections of radiation between terrains (MRRT) model. This research studied the radiation properties on the lunar surface region at various spatial resolutions (scales) based on the MRRT model. To determine the ideal scale of microtopography to be built, the scale-effect evaluation factor of albedo is established, and the scale-effect function is fitted. Experiments demonstrate that a microtopography with a spatial resolution of 60 m to 120 m, with 80 m being the most suitable scale, can be constructed for an area having (6000 × 6000) m2. This research adds to the MRRT model’s applicability analysis in multiscale DEM modeling, helps choose and build a radiation calibration field on the lunar surface, and lays the groundwork for employing the area of the lunar surface for radiation calibration.

An online terrain classification framework for legged robots based on acoustic signals

Terrain classification information is of great significance for legged robots to traverse various terrains. Therefore, this communication presents an online terrain classification framework for legged robots, utilizing the acoustic signals produced during locomotion. The Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficient (MFCC) feature vectors are extracted from the acoustic data recorded by an on-board microphone. Then the Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) are used to classify the MFCC features into different terrain type categories. The proposed framework was validated on a quadruped robot. Overall, our investigations achieved a classification time-resolution of 1 s when the robot trotted over three kinds of terrains, thus recording a comprehensive success rate of 92.7%.

Hostile terrain: on the spatial and affective conditions for revolution

ABSTRACT In 1966, Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara arrived in south-east Bolivia assuming that the region’s forested mountains and the poverty of the peasantry constituted ‘favourable terrain’ to start a revolution. Instead, he encountered a hostile terrain that led to the defeat of his guerrilla force and to his death. In this article, I offer a spatial and affective analysis of Guevara’s conceptualizations of ‘favourable’ and ‘unfavourable’ terrain, of his gendered experience of a ‘hostile terrain’ in Bolivia, and of how these ideas and his emphasis on revolutionary determination were subsequently debated and reformulated by guerrilla fighters and radical movements in Latin America. Drawing from an analysis of the interface between terrain, place and territory in rebellions, I show how the dichotomy between favourable and unfavourable terrain misses that spatially attuned insurrections can potentially weaponize any type of terrain, but also that they always confront a ‘hostile terrain’, understood as the social and territorial conditions that hinder their spatial proliferation. This means conceptualizing revolutions as spatial and affective processes through which determined multitudes overcome this hostility by attuning to place, empowering their strategies through engagements with different types of terrain, and expanding rebel territories. I conclude by discussing why these questions are relevant today to radical politics amid the climate crisis.

Investigating the length, area and volume measurement accuracy of UAV-Based oblique photogrammetry models produced with and without ground control points

This study aimed to investigate the performance and sensitivity of 3D photogrammetric models generated without GCPs (ground control points). To determine whether the models with no GCPs retained accuracy in all terrain types as well as under varying climate or meteorological conditions, two separate studies were conducted in two areas with different characteristics (elevation, slope, topography, and meteorological differences). The study areas were initially modelled with GCPs and were later modelled without GCPs. Furthermore, some of the dimensions and areas within the modelled regions were measured using terrestrial techniques (with GPS/GNSS) for accuracy analyses. After regional modelling was conducted with and without GCPs, different territories with different slopes and geometric shapes were selected. Various length, area and volume measurements were carried out over the selected territories using both models (generated with and without GCPs). The datasets obtained from the measurement results were compared, and the measurements obtained using the models produced with GCPs were accepted as the true values. The length measurement results provided various levels of success. The first study area exhibited very promising length measurement results, with a relative error less than 1% and an RMSE (root mean square error) of 0.139 m. In the case of the area measurements, in the first study area (Sivas), a minimum relative error of 0.04% and a maximum relative error of 1.05% with an RMSE of 1.264 m² were obtained. In the second study areas (Artvin), a minimum relative error of 0.56% and a maximum relative error of 5.27% with an RMSE of 1.76 m² were achieved. Finally, in the case of the volume measurements, for the first study area (Sivas), a minimum relative error of 0.8% and a maximum relative error of 6.8% as well as an RMSE of 2.301 m³ were calculated. For the second study area (Artvin), the minimum relative error of the volume measurements was 0.502%, and the maximum relative error was 2.01%, with an RMSE of 7.061 m³.

Integrating Stereo Images and Laser Altimetry Points Derived from the Same Satellite for High-Accuracy Stereo Mapping

At present, some mapping satellites, such as GaoFen-7 and ZiYuan3-03, are equipped with both optical stereo cameras and laser altimeters that can synchronously obtain stereo images and sparse ground laser altimetry points (LAPs). To effectively improve the geometric accuracy of these satellite stereo images, this study proposed an integrated processing method for LAPs and stereo images derived from the same satellite. This method makes full use of the advantages of synchronously obtaining stereo images and LAPs, and designs measurement technology for accurate pixel coordinates of LAPs in stereo images, which works toward solving a technical difficulty that has restricted their integration to achieve higher accuracy. The method also constructs a combined block adjustment model of LAPs and stereo images. We selected 70 GaoFen-7 stereo images and 463 GaoFen-7 LAPs from Hebei Province, China, and 12 ZiYuan3-03 stereo images and 81 ZiYuan3-03 LAPs from Heilongjiang Province, China, to conduct integrated processing experiments. The vertical accuracy of the GaoFen-7 images in all types of terrain were improved substantially and reached the accuracy requirements of 1:10,000 (even 1:5000) scale mapping in China. The vertical accuracy of the ZiYuan3-03 images in various terrain areas were also improved markedly, satisfying the accuracy requirement of 1:50,000 scale mapping. These experimental results indicate that the working mode of synchronously obtaining LAPs and stereo images using the same satellite is advanced, and the proposed method is correct and effective.

Activity distribution of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from combined measurements of non-gravitational forces and torques

Aims. Understanding the activity is vital for deciphering the structure, formation, and evolution of comets. We investigate models of cometary activity by comparing them to the dynamics of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Methods. We matched simple thermal models of water activity to the combined Rosetta datasets by fitting to the total outgassing rate and four components of the outgassing induced non-gravitational force and torque, with a final manual adjustment of the model parameters to additionally match the other two torque components. We parametrised the thermal model in terms of a distribution of relative activity over the surface of the comet, and attempted to link this to different terrain types. We also tested a more advanced thermal model based on a pebble structure. Results. We confirm a hemispherical dichotomy and non-linear water outgassing response to insolation. The southern hemisphere of the comet and consolidated terrain show enhanced activity relative to the northern hemisphere and dust-covered, unconsolidated terrain types, especially at perihelion. We further find that the non-gravitational torque is especially sensitive to the activity distribution, and to fit the pole-axis orientation in particular, activity must be concentrated (in excess of the already high activity in the southern hemisphere and consolidated terrain) around the south pole and on the body and neck of the comet over its head. This is the case for both the simple thermal model and the pebble-based model. Overall, our results show that water activity cannot be matched by a simple model of sublimating surface ice driven by the insolation alone, regardless of the surface distribution, and that both local spatial and temporal variations are needed to fit the data. Conclusions. Fully reconciling the Rosetta outgassing, torque, and acceleration data requires a thermal model that includes both diurnal and seasonal effects and also structure with depth (dust layers or ice within pebbles). This shows that cometary activity is complex. Nonetheless, non-gravitational dynamics provides a useful tool for distinguishing between different thermophysical models and aids our understanding.

Performance of hybrid supercapacitors in the presence of mechanical vibrations for applications of micro-mobility

Supercapacitors (SCs) have always been regarded as a source of electrical energy storage confined to equipment requiring high power, and particularly high currents, for a few moments. Hybrid SCs characterized by increasingly higher energy densities have been gaining ground. The main advantages of such accumulators are long service life, a high number of cycles which drastically reduces the problem of recycling lithium cells and good operation even at low temperatures. One of the most underestimated aspects, but with an impact on the service life of accumulators, is the mechanical vibration behavior. In micro-mobility vehicles, the battery pack is often attached to the charter, which in turn is not sufficiently dampened for normal road surface conditions. The literature mainly analyses the variation of ESR (internal resistance) as a function of the received vibration dose. In the following work, the impact of mechanical vibrations on the various parameters of an equivalent electrical circuit is assessed using impedance spectroscopy, and how the variation of individual components can influence the performance of a micro-mobility vehicle battery. The reference vibration cycle was realized by sampling a real driving cycle on an electric scooter on various types of urban terrain and was replicated on various types of cells using a shaker.

A review of wind turbines in complex terrain

With global energy consumption increasing, a shift to renewable energy resources is critical for sustainable energy development. Wind energy has emerged as one of the most promising sustainable and renewable energy resources, with the ability to contribute to the world's energy demand significantly. Although wind is a renewable and generally inexpensive energy source, the amount of electricity available varies depending on wind conditions (e.g., speed and direction). As a result, it is critical to learn how to harvest wind energy more effectively and reliably. Furthermore, most newly constructed wind turbines were built onshore, demonstrating that the consequences of varied terrains are becoming increasingly crucial to the wind-energy field. As a result, before wind farm construction, the investment corporation must evaluate wind conditions and wind turbine wake behavior in the natural wind park site (which may include complex terrain). These investigations can be made using field measurements, laboratory experiments, or numerical simulations. In light of this trend, the present work contributes additional insights into the flow situation occurring around onshore wind turbines in the presence of different complex terrain types—Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) wind profile and turbine wake recovery over hilly and forested terrains. On the contrary, there is still limited knowledge on some issues, such as how a wind farm operates in complex terrain.

A multi‐hazard analysis framework for earthquake‐damaged tall buildings subject to thunderstorm downbursts

AbstractThis study develops a generalised multi‐hazard analysis framework for evaluating the impact of secondary hazard events on structures that have previously been damaged by major hazardous events. More specifically, the present work investigates the effects of thunderstorm downbursts on earthquake‐damaged tall steel buildings giving an emphasis in assessing the revised accumulated earthquake‐wind ductility demands. The novel approach is validated on a 20‐storey steel building. The structure is initially subjected to a ductility‐controlled pushover analysis to simulate the earthquake‐induced damage, and then, a parametric dynamic analysis is performed using damaged structure models under synthetic downburst time‐histories developed for various wind profiles, wind velocities and terrain types. The method accurately controls the damage level induced by the primary hazard and separately assesses secondary hazard effects which enables a direct quantification of the new multi‐hazard design requirements. This can provide effective guidance in the stage of preliminary structural design or post‐hazard assessment of structures identifying new serviceability limits, as well as support repair procedures and decision‐making frameworks for existing structures to prevent collapse. The results demonstrate a significant increase up to three to four times in ductility demands of the structure after the occurrence of the strong downburst winds, compared with the ductility demands that were initially imposed by the varying severity degrees of the earthquake.

Learning quadrupedal locomotion on deformable terrain.

Simulation-based reinforcement learning approaches are leading the next innovations in legged robot control. However, the resulting control policies are still not applicable on soft and deformable terrains, especially at high speed. The primary reason is that reinforcement learning approaches, in general, are not effective beyond the data distribution: The agent cannot perform well in environments that it has not experienced. To this end, we introduce a versatile and computationally efficient granular media model for reinforcement learning. Our model can be parameterized to represent diverse types of terrain from very soft beach sand to hard asphalt. In addition, we introduce an adaptive control architecture that can implicitly identify the terrain properties as the robot feels the terrain. The identified parameters are then used to boost the locomotion performance of the legged robot. We applied our techniques to the Raibo robot, a dynamic quadrupedal robot developed in-house. The trained networks demonstrated high-speed locomotion capabilities on deformable terrains: The robot was able to run on soft beach sand at 3.03 meters per second although the feet were completely buried in the sand during the stance phase. We also demonstrate its ability to generalize to different terrains by presenting running experiments on vinyl tile flooring, athletic track, grass, and a soft air mattress.

Directionally Compliant Legs Enabling Crevasse Traversal in Small Ground‐Based Robots

Small ground‐based robots show promise for locomotion on complex surfaces. A critical application area for such robots is movement over complex terrain and within constricted space such as narrow gaps in rubble. To contend with this terrain complexity, robots typically require high degree‐of‐freedom (DOF) limbs. However, for small robot platforms, this approach of high DOF legs is impractical due to actuator limitations. This presents an opportunity to design robots whose morphology enables the outsourcing of computational tasks to the robot body through the use of compliant elements (morphological computation). Herein, a novel robot appendage is developed that can passively compress in a programmed direction in response to environmental constrictions. A robot equipped with these appendages can enter narrow spaces down to 72% of the robot's sprawled body width as well as low ceilings down to 68% its freestanding height. The robot is able to step onto and over small terrain features ( hip height) and navigate various natural terrain types with ease. The results show that these compressible appendages enable versatile robot locomotion for robot exploration in previously unmapped environments.

Геоинформационная система «Речные бассейны России»

An electronic map of basin geosystems of small rivers has been created for almost the entire mainland of Russia. The form of representation is a vector layer of polygonal objects; spatial detail corresponds to the regional level of generalization (scale 1:1 000 000). The research was performed in three stages: 1) The European Part of Russia (with the exception of the Crimea and the Kaliningrad region); 2) The Arctic watershed area of the Asian Part of Russia; 3) The Pacific watershed area (Far Eastern Federal District). In total, over 388 000 objects (basins) have been allocated with an average area of about 47.8 km2. The method used for constructing the basin map includes: selection of the base DEM and the hydro grid map; selection of geometric parameters of the raster grid to represent the initial data and the results of model calculations; correction of the DEM using the hydro grid map; construction of watershed basin boundaries in automatic mode; assessment of the accuracy of the allocation of river basin boundaries for different types of terrain. A specialized geoinformation system “Basins of small rivers of Russia” has been formed. GIS integrates geoinformation representing natural (geomorphometry of the relief, the hydro-climatic parameters, sediment yield and river flow, soils, landscapes) and anthropogenic (land use types, population, transport network, etc.) characteristics of river basins. As an example of solving geoecological and geographical problems, calculations of the intensity of soil erosion for the Lena River basin using a modified model of soil loss are presented. The average value of soil erosion losses in the Lena River basin, taking into account the types of land cover, is 0.22 t/ha/year. This generally indicates a very low intensity of erosion, most of the basin area belongs to the nonhazardous category of soil loss.

Assessment of landscapes transformed during the development of the Verkhne-Taluminskoye field using remote methods

Over the past decade, a significant increase in disturbed natural landscapes has been observed on the territory of the Aldan-Chulmansky coal-bearing region. According to our estimates, the area of the quarry-dumping complex here from 2014 to 2022 increased by 50.4% and reached 89 km2. To assess the latest changes in landscapes in this area, the VerkhneTaluminskoye coal deposit was chosen, on the basis of which in February 2018 coal mining began for the first time on the left bank of the river Chulmakan. To establish landscapes, the study area is zoned according to vegetation, which was determined according to satellite images of the Yandex and Mapbox databases. The areas have been divided into types of terrain as well. Thus, it was determined that the largest areas in the study area of the types of terrain are occupied by gentle slopes 46.2 km2 (52.6%), and plateaus are also common 18.1 km2 (20.6%) with elevations of 920-970 m. The contoured layers (vegetation and terrain types) were merged in QGIS3 software to obtain a landscape map of the Verkhne-Taluminskoye field. Further, a layer with the contours of the coal mine as of 2022 was superimposed on it. As a result, a map of the transformed landscapes of the Verkhne-Taluminsky deposit was developed. Quantitative indicators of landscape change in the study area have been established. The most transformed were kurums (rock glaciers) on slopes of medium steepness and gentle slopes 43.5 and 18.3%, respectively, were transformed, as well as closed 27.9% of forests on slopes of medium steepness were transformed. It was revealed that the slopes of medium steepness (10-30°), as well as kurums are disturbed to the greatest extent.

Influence of Target Properties on Wall Slumping in Lunar Impact Craters Within the Simple‐To‐Complex Transition

AbstractThe 15–20 km crater diameter range on the Moon spans simple to transitional to complex crater morphologies. Simple craters in this range are only in the highlands. Transitional craters that contain localized slumps are scattered across the lunar surface. Most craters with localized slumps in the highlands superpose pre‐impact topography with obvious slope breaks. We interpret this as a condition favorable for post‐excavation internal slumping. However, some of these craters formed on terrains with topographic variation like the settings of simple craters: flat or gradually sloping surface, or degraded structures of older craters such as rims and terraces. To resolve the conundrum of two morphologies on one terrain type, we performed investigations of the local geology and topography of the inferred pre‐impact terrains. We assessed if the localized slumping in the craters happened during or well after crater formation, looked for spatial variations in the strength of the highlands crust, detected topographic breaks (through elevation data) that were unnoticeable in the optical data, and examined rim circularity. Our findings corroborate the influence of pre‐existing slopes on mass wasting along crater walls. Most of the craters with localized slumps have walls superposing topographic breaks that slope toward the crater interior. These walls are located near the uphill sector of the rims which initiated localized slumping. Most simple craters were found to have formed on surfaces with topographic breaks/slopes that face away from the adjoining crater walls, so that any immediate mass wasting would likely be outside the crater cavity.

Definisanje dnevnih kapaciteta za potrebe planiranja puteva u Republici Srbiji

In every edition of the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) until 2016, three levels of capacity analysis were defined: operational, project and planning analysis. The level of detail of each analysis is a function of purpose, breadth of access and available information. Planning analysis determines capacity in the earliest stages of planning, when small amount of data and information is available. The planning procedure is based on the AADT forecast and macro traffic simulation. Often, the usage of simulation models can lead to errors, and for these reasons, when analyzing traffic demands, it is necessary to carry out a check when more informations are available. Planning analyzes from the HCM manual are generally focused on broad issues such as initial problem identification, road design concept, and when alternatives are compared. These analyzes are suitable for evaluating proposed system measures, such as heavy vehicle lane usage control, highway ramp metering, and other applications of intelligent transportation systems. The methodology recommended in HCM implies the use of default input values, i.e. table of generalized values. Given that the recommended capacity values are based on typical road profiles and traffic flow characteristics in the USA, the paper provides a detailed capacity analysis at the planning level for local conditions - four standard geometric two-lane and highway profiles. Capacities are calculated for different values of design hourly volume, design speed, peak hour factor, commercial vehicle impact and terrain type, in order to compare with the generalized capacity tables from HCM2010. The comparative analysis indicates differences in the calculated capacity values, and for that reason the obtained values are recommended for use in model simulations for local conditions in the Republic of Serbia.

Мелкомасштабное ландшафтное картографирование территорий традиционного природопользования Республики Саха (Якутия)

In the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), there are 63 territories of traditional land use of the Indigenous Minorities of the North within the boundaries of municipal districts and nasleg (lowest municipal division), as well as nomadic tribal communities. Almost 58 % of the republic’s territory is under the traditional land use status. The traditional use of natural resources and traditional lifestyles of indigenous peoples are inextricably linked to the resource potential and ecological state of natural landscapes. The paper is aimed to develop a standardized methodology for the design of a small-scale landscape map of traditional land use in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Based on the review of atlas approaches to landscape structure mapping of protected natural areas, we propose to use a multi-thematic dataset of geospatial layers according to the criteria of the classification of typological, regional and basin categories of landscapes. The dataset includes layers from previously published landscape maps and permafrost-landscape regionalization maps, soil-vegetation maps, and global geospatial data for Hammond relief regions, GMTED2010 digital elevation model and HydroBASINS river basins. Methods for delineation of mapped units include overlay geoprocessing, zonal statistics, and relief analysis. For the basemap, the description of typological landscape units includes landscape subclass-genus-type(subtype) and terrain type. The methodology was tested for the Ust-Maiskij district with predominance of mountain taiga and mid-taiga landscapes and Eveno-Bytantaiskij national district with predominance of mountain-tundra, mountain-woodland and north taiga landscapes. The obtained landscape maps contain 36 typological units that synthesize 6 subclasses, 7 landscape types (subtypes) and 12 terrain types by 5 landscape provinces and large river basins (Lena, Yana, Omoloi and Aldan). Thus, the proposed landscape mapping methodology covers the holistic spatial structure of the leading components, allowing for a multidimensional approach to territorial planning and functional zoning of traditional land use.

Сравнительная оценка распределения Cs-137 в почвенном покрове на территории Таджикистана

The article presents the results of a comparative assessment of the distribution of the technogenic radionuclide Cs-137 in the soil cover on the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan. It is noted that the accumulation of the 137Cs isotope in the territory depends on the terrain and soil type. At the foot of the mountains and in clay soils, a relatively high content of the Cs-137 isotope is observed compared to plains and sandy soils. The migration of radionuclide Cs-137 deep into the vertical is observed in the soils of sandy rock. It is shown that the values of the average specific activity of the Cs-137 isotope in the soil cover of Southern Tajikistan are 2.5 times lower than the average specific activities of the soils of Northern and Central Tajikistan. The highest values of specific soil activity of 17.0 Bq/kg were noted in the southeastern regions of Tajikistan. This circumstance is primarily due to the fact that precipitation and dust storms coming from the countries of South and Southeast Asia lead to the settling of particles, primarily on the slopes of the mountains. Thus, based on the analysis of the literature review in the direction under study and the results obtained, the authors revealed that the spatial distribution of Cs-137 radionuclide in the soil cover in the Republic of Tajikistan depends on the direction of the wind rose and the terrain. Analysis of the samples obtained allows us to conclude that the content of Cs-137 radionuclide is due to its long-range air transport.