Natural territorial complexes of floodplain in the Moskva River lower reaches under intensive economic development

Abstract

Floodplain of the Moskva River lower reaches is a typical man-made terrace, which was not flooded for almost 90 years, is intensively used in agriculture and gradually being built up by industrial and civil facilities. As a result of river flow regulation and long-term agricultural development the floodplain natural territorial complexes (NTC) underwent a profound transformation. Of 2,5 thousand urochisches only 179, i. e. 7,2%, or 6% of the territory, can be thought of as modal. About 13% (333 urochisches, 7% of the territory) have a slight degree of disturbance, 23,6% (587 urochisches, 54% of the territory) – medium degree and 546 urochisches (21,2%, 25% of the territory) strong degree of disturbance. More than one third (838 urochisches, i. e. 34,6%, or 9% of the territory) are technogenic, i. e. totally created by man not excepting the relief and lithological basement. In spite of the quantitative predominance technogenic complexes as linear objects occupy a small area. Due to high degree of landscape structure disturbance, the river floodplain requires increased attention, planning of economic activities, coordinated placement of engineering objects, agricultural areas and natural reserves, as well as strict compliance with land use standards and environmental legislation.