Stages of anthropogenic transformation of surface morphology in the Arctic zone of Russia

Abstract

Information about the occurrence and age of anthropogenic objects and accompanying surface morphology transformations in the Arctic zone of Russia was collected and systematized. 6 chronological stages of antropogenic surface transformations were distinguished: before 1918 a.d., 1919-1932 a.d., 1933-1963 a.d., 1964-1987 a.d., 1988-1998 a.d. and after 1999 a.d. The leading types of land-use on the territory of the Arctic zone of Russia for different time slices are identified, the areas affected by development are outlined, and the inherent types of anthropogenic transformation of landscapes are indicated. Rythms of economic development and antropogenic surface morphology transformation due to social-economic and political causes were established. Maximum of antropogenic transformation occurred during Soviet period in 1933-1963 and 1964-1987 a.d.. Periods between 1919-1932 a.d and 1988-1998 a.d. coinciding with collapse of Russian Empire and USSR respectively marked with significant decrease of antropogenic activity in Russian Arctic. Four types of territories differing with duration of antropogenic development, intensity and set of antropogenic objects and accompanying surface morphology transformations were revealed: 1) territories of old (before 1918 a.d) development with significant grade of antropogenic transformation (4,3% of Russian Arctic); 2) territories of Soviet (1918-1987) development with significant grade of antropogenic transformation (25,8% of Russian Arctic); 3) territories of Postsoviet (1988+) development with significant grade of antropogenic transformation (2,9% of Russian Arctic); 2) territories without significant amount of antropogenic objects and with well-preserved natural surface morphology (67% of Russian Arctic).