General principles and techniques of controlling the fluvial processes on navigable rivers are discussed, which aim at maintaining the safe depths of waterways with respect for hydroecological safety requirements and the need of preserving rivers as natural objects. They are based on the regularities of river channel regime and long-term and seasonal deformations of natural bars, as well as on the consideration of the evolution stages of channel forms and forms of channel relief. Technical-economic and environmental efficiency of designing methods supported by the natural trends of channel re-formation and their prognostic evaluation is demonstrated

Erosion is the main agent of sediment redistribution within river basin. Its spatial pattern mostly depends on basin topography and structure of fluvial network. The contribution of relief to sediment
redistribution within a river basin could be assessed through the detailed analysis of basin topography, classification of its elements and detailed field studies of key catchments corresponding to the identified classes. The most suitable quantitative parameter scribing a river basin as a system of sediment redistribution is sediment delivery ratio (SDR). The SDR values were calculated for particular catchments within the Plava River network and for its basin as a whole. Considering the fact that the Plava River basin belongs to the Chernobyl-affected zone, the results can be useful for the ssessment of radioecological danger and potential risks of river flow contamination.

Different approaches to geoecological studies are discussed, including the choice of suitable operational spatial units, as well as the lack of statistical and monitoring data for geoecological assessment (if the overseas territories are under study). Present-day landscapes are considered to be the most appropriate basis for assessing the state of the environment. Integration of existing geospatial data made it possible to compile the landscape map of Hokkaido (Japan). The elaborated algorithm of geo-ecological assessment included the development of corresponding sections and layers of thematic geo-database. As the result, the integrated index of Ecological stress was calculated for Hokkaido. The index integrates the indicators of both the anthropogenic load and the landscape sustainability. The anthropogenic load is calculated as SO2 air concentrations from the thermal power plants emissions; the landscape sustainability is expressed through climatic, geochemical and vegetation characteristics with the focus on its sensitiveness to acid emissions (SO2). Mapping of the Ecological stress index for the landscapes of Hokkaido may be helpful to predict the state of the environment under the increased load of sulfur dioxide emissions due to natural or technogenic impact.

Hydrological terrain analysis on the basis of the digital elevation models is an important part of GIS-based geomorphometry. Hydrological parameters, such as the catchment area or flow accumulation, are frequently used in geographical studies, both directly and indirectly. Their computation is based on the determining of water flow through the regular grid of digital elevation model (DEM). There are many algorithms developed for this procedure, and their application gives extremely different computation results for the catchment area. All these algorithms apply a discrete, «cell-to-cell» flow
conception. This, first, does not adequately represent real water movement, and, second, makes it difficult to verify results, because cells of a regular grid do not usually «suit» to the landforms.
The paper presents a new approach for catchment area and flow accumulation computation. It is based on flowline tracing on a continuous surface. The surface could be obtained through interpolation of discrete elevation values from a regular grid of DEM.

The article focuses on the application of network concepts as a basic primal method for the ecoturism planning in the region. Regional networks in the central part of the Eastern Sayan Mountains that define the area suitable for ecotourism development are investigated. Their influence on the formation of environmentstabilizing functional areas is described.

Approaches to economic evaluation of the damage caused by forest fires are discussed, taking into account various economic, ecological, social and biospheric functions of forests. The damage should be calculated in order to determine the cost-effectiveness of preventing or reducing the direct and indirect negative effects of forest fires. Ratio of the damage and the costs of its prevention determines the costeffectiveness of investment and the selection of the most effective financing of environmental protection measures. A comprehensive economic evaluation of forest fires effects for the Tver Oblast includes three main blocks: forest products: timber, non-timber forest resources; forest functions: climate-regulating, water protection, water, recreation; and the cost of the restoration of damaged areas and fighting forest fires. Application of standard costs of some resources underestimates the damage, thus affecting the costeffectiveness
analysis for the planning of fire prevention measures. Suggested technique of damage calculation
gives a normative value of the loss of forest benefits because of forest fires for the economy of the country and its regions.

The interaction of radial and lateral subsurface geochemical fluxes on the pairing elementary landscapes of the lowland tundra is analyzed. Two typical Anadyr lowland urochishches were examined to describe the structure of geochemical landscapes and tundra soils, and the concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu within the area and along the section. The regularities and specific features of the location of low and high geochemical anomalies in correlation with oxidative, gleyic and sorption barriers in soil and landscape are revealed. It was concluded that the radial and lateral geochemical barriers form united geological bodies in landscapes. Their morphology depends on the topography of the impermeable permafrost horizon.

Distribution of ice-rafted debris (IRD) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3), as well as the data on dissolution of foraminiferal shells were studied in the AMK-4515 marine sediment core (central North Atlantic, Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone). The multiproxy approach made it possible to identify three intervals of surface circulation strengthening and weakening for the study area, corresponding to marine isotope stages (MIS) 1–3. The shift of the North Atlantic Polar front (PF) was also reconstructed. During the first climatic interval (78–64 cm, referred to MIS 3) the increased advection of North Atlantic water masses was recorded. The PF was located north of the study area. The second climatic interval (64–6 cm, MIS 2) is characterized by the southward migration of the PF and also includes two Heinrich events, accompanied by weakening surface circulation activity. During the Last Glacial Maximum (36–12 cm interval) the PF was located
south of the study area. The third climatic interval (6–0 cm, MIS 1) corresponds to the warm period: the PF was shifted far northward of the Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone; the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) enhanced at that time; and the situation became similar to modern conditions.

Spatial trajectories of the Moscow agglomeration development in the course of housing construction
are analyzed, and the extensive and intensive trends are revealed. A concentric model of Moscow housing market is suggested basing on the spatial differentiation of housing construction intensity, cost of apartments and the initial genesis of plots used for construction. Two types of housing markets are identified, i.e. the integrated «Moscow» market including the city of Moscow and its immediate suburbs, and a number of isolated markets on the periphery of the agglomeration. The relationship between the housing construction and the migration of Russia’s population into Moscow agglomeration is shown.

Virtual environmental trail presents the unique natural phenomena of the White Sea coast, i.e. the
complex of age-diverse dunes. Specific features of dune vegetation cover are described. Its role in formation and destruction of the geomorphologic object is analyzed

For the first time the numbers of resident population living to the north of the forest limit within
tundra, forest tundra and polar deserts are compared with the number of tourists visiting these areas. It is concluded that in some Arctic regions the number of tourists is dozens of times greater than the local population