ALL-RUSSIAN SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CONFERENCE “LANDSCAPE PLANNING”

ALL-RUSSIAN SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CONFERENCE “LANDSCAPE PLANNING

Multiscale Organization of Landscape Structure in the Middle Taiga of European Russia

Dominant landscape-ecological models either focus on the hierarchical organization of a single phenomenon or describe relations at a single hierarchical level. We proposed the tool MALS (Multiscale Analysis of Landscape Structure) to reveal  multiple independent hierarchies based on the interactions between properties of relief, soils and vegetation and tested it on the example of the middle-taiga landscape in European Russia. Morphological properties of soils and abundance of plant species were measured in operational territorial units. Multidimensional scaling was used to reveal ecological drivers. Combinations of landforms from DEM were used to describe spatial heterogeneity in the higher-order geosystems. Response surface regression was applied to relate soils and vegetation to each other and to relief of several hypothetic higher-order geosystems. Spatial extent of a higher-order geosystem was determined from the series of equations. Then we compared contributions of external (inter-level) and internal (intra-level) interactions to spatial variability of soils and vegetation. Herbs, low shrubs, and morphologic soil properties turned out to be controlled mainly by the geosystems with the linear size 1200 m, while trees, shrubs, and sediments – by the geosystems with size 2000 m. From 2 to 5 levels of the higher-order geosystems should be considered in order to obtain the proper explanation of spatial heterogeneity

Proposal of new Natura 2000 network boundaries in Spain based on the value of importance for biodiversity and connectivity analysis for its improvement

The aim of the Natura 2000 Network is to ensure the conservation of habitats and species in their natural areas of distribution. Connectivity is an essential part of this conservation. For this purpose, a value map of importance for biodiversity (V.I.B) was generated proposing 4 levels of protection and overlapped with the Natura 2000 network. New boundaries for the zoning are proposed adding 1.600.000 ha. Two connectivity indices (MSPA and PC) are calculated in the 4 different scenarios. With these indices it is possible to know the number of existing nuclei and connectors in each of the scenarios. New boundaries cover more areas of interest for biodiversity as well as zones of great importance in relation to connectivity. We propose a uniform method that can be extrapolated to any European territor

Reduction in the Computational Complexity of Calculating Losses on Eddy Currents in a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Using the Finite Element Analysis

This paper considers the issues of the reduction in the computational complexity of the numerical problem and the requirements of the computer memory size when calculating the power of the eddy currents in a hydrogen fuel cell based on a proton exchange membrane. The study was performed on a model problem based on a geometric pattern of a hydrogen fuel cell of typical dimensions and characteristics operating at a nominal load in steady-state conditions. The power of the eddy currents was calculated using a numerical model based on a tetrahedral finite element mesh and a mathematical model of a quasi-stationary electromagnetic field in the classical formulation through the vector magnetic potential. The requirements for the minimum degree of the geometric model approximation by a finite element mesh to achieve mesh stability of the computational problem results were defined. The paper considers issues of finite element order selection, the method of ordering, and the solution of the systems of linear algebraic equations (SLAEs). It shows the techniques for determining the accuracy of the calculated SLAE solution obtained by the direct method, as well as the effectiveness of the low-rank approximation of the SLAE to reduce the computational complexity of the computational problem solution and reduce the requirements for the amount of computer memory needed, considering the reduced accuracy of the SLAE solutions

Risk assessment of hazardous abrasion and landslide processes in the coastal zone of the Azov Sea

The methodology was developed and the socio-economic risk of the manifestation of abrasion and landslide processes in the coastal zone of the Azov Sea was evaluated. The methodology includes assessing the degree of danger of coastal processes and determining possible material losses. The numerical index of socio-economic risk is calculated as the product of point estimates of these parameters. The main factors of dangerous coastal processes formation have been established, according to their similar combination in the coastal zone of the Azov Sea, 42 functional areas and the impact zone of hazardous abrasion and landslide processes predicted for a 20-year period have been identified. In the forecast zone, 112 socio-economic objects were identified that are subject to the influence of dangerous abrasion and landslide processes. For these socio-economic objects, using the standard set of tools of the public GIS service “Cadastral map of Rosreestr”, an enlarged calculation of possible economic damage has been made. The highest values of the socio-economic risk of the manifestation of abrasion and landslide processes in the coastal zone of the Azov Sea fall on abrasion and abrasion-landslide sections of the coast with a high rate of abrasion, a large number of capital construction projects and a high value of material losses

Model forests in Russia as landscape approach : Demonstration projects or initiatives for learning towards sustainable forest management?

Implementing sustainable forest management (SFM) policy on the ground is not straightforward, and depends on the social-ecological context. To meet the need for place-based stakeholder collaboration towards regionally adapted knowledge production and learning in support of SFM an integrated landscape approach can assist. Hosting most of the circumboreal forest Russia is a key global player. To transition boreal forestry in the Russian Federation from wood mining towards SFM after the collapse of USSR several initiatives were initiated. Our aim is to review the outcomes and consequences of the initiatives employing the international Model Forest concepts’ six principles in Russia. To identify candidates for the study we identified 12 local initiatives using this term, all in Russia's boreal forest biome. However, while seven demonstration forests focused on improving wood production practices, five were long-term stakeholder-driven development processes aimed at SFM, and were approved members of the International Model Forest Network. The five latter were selected for a detailed study to understand their temporal dynamic in the circumboreal Model Forest context, and the extent to which they complied with the six principles of the Model Forest concept as an example of a landscape approach. The sources, amounts and durations of these initiatives’ funding affected both outcomes and consequences on the ground. All five had developed a partnership that formally shared a commitment to SFM. However, not all areas were large enough to represent all dimensions of SFM. Not all Model Forests developed a representative, participative, transparent, and accountable governance structure, which affected the programs of their activities. Finally, knowledge-sharing, capacity-building and networking at multiple levels was variable. In spite of Russia hosting most of the circumboreal forest the Model Forest concept was not sustained in Russia due to ending of foreign project funding, to limited continuity of committed local capacity, and poor support from national-level decision makers. The exception is the Komi Model Forest's transition to a successful consulting company focusing on SFM. To develop regionally adapted approaches to implement SFM policy we stress the importance of sharing experiences from Model Forests as well as other landscape approach concepts among countries and regions with different landscape histories and governance arrangements. To enhance this, we propose a general analytic framework for learning through evaluation about place-based long-term initiatives that integrate evidence-based knowledge about states and trends of sustainability and cross-sector multi-level governance.</p