Table of contents

This volume contains papers submitted to the First International Geographical Conference of North Asian countries on «China–Mongolia–Russia» Economic Corridor: Geographical and Environmental Factors and Territorial Development Opportunities" devoted to the analysis of fundamental scientific problems in the field of optimal ecologically oriented resource providing of the livelihoods and the quality of life of the population, the development of modern urbanized and cultural landscapes and the preservation of the natural environment in transboundary and outlying territories. The ultimate goal of the Conference is to find common ground and make constructive proposals for the solution of the geoecological problems facing the border regions, the development of methods for component and integral assessment of natural resources and the anthropogenic influence of the transboundary territories on the environment, the modernization of the economy of the regions and the transport and social infrastructure, the improvement of the population distribution systems in outlying territories as well as to establish new scientific relations and strengthen the existing international collaboration in the sphere of territorial development, and the environmental and ecological protection within the China–Mongolia–Russia Economic Corridor.

The volume is intended for a wide range of researchers in the field of geography and economics, university teachers, students, and practitioners with an interest in problems of ecology, effective environmental management, and territorial development.

All papers published in this volume of IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science have been peer reviewed through processes administered by the proceedings Editors. Reviews were conducted by expert referees to the professional and scientific standards expected of a proceedings journal published by IOP Publishing.

A method for natural risk assessment is proposed. It based on data of socio-economic potential and natural hazards spatial distribution on the study area. This methodology for assessing the economic component of natural risk consists by two integral indices. The first is the index of social and economic density on the territory. It shows the probable maximum direct and indirect damage from natural hazards per unit area only the economically exploited part of total municipal territory. Index parameters are: population, fixed assets value and gross production volume, which divided into the built-up area of municipality. The second is the index of socio-economic spatial vulnerability of the territory. It demonstrates the probability of crossing the concentrated social and economic potential areas and disaster zone. Index calculated as multiplication of population, fixed assets value and gross production volume to the spatial vulnerability coefficient. This coefficient is equal to the share of built-up area in the total area of municipal land. We have identified potentially the most vulnerable municipalities in South Siberia with indices values above the macro-regional average. In addition, the maximum debris flow risk zones were singled out.

Human factor plays an important role in the effective implementation of the socio-economic policy of the state and it is a key component of sustainable development of the regions. This study considers the current living standards of the population of the Baikal region. The analysis allowed identifying trends in the increase in the unemployment rate of the population living on its territory. It revealed that in recent years there has been a tendency to increase the poverty level of the population of Baikal region, which remains high compared to the average Russian level. Also, this paper analyses the quality of life of the population; determines the key factors of influence on the socio-economic mobility of the population of the region. It was determined that the fastest and most accessible channel of social mobility is education, which provides an opportunity to obtain a high-paid profession and rapid progress on the social ladder. In order to change the negative trends in the human development of the Baikal region, this article considers the role and prospects of implementation of the "green" development mode of the Baikal region as a driving mechanism on the way to sustainable development and strengthening of socio-economic mobility of the population.

Transportation of the Baikal region is one of the components of a united transport complex of our country and Mongolia. We developed a semantic classification of cartographic symbols of transport systems with a view to streamlining the structure of thematic layers and the system of cartographic sign mapping of transport. Using this classification, geoinformation mapping of the transport of the Baikal region was carried out. To represent the transport of this territory, several semantic parameters were chosen that characterize both the transport complex and its possible impact on the environment (main transport types, infrastructure facilities, density of highways). The existing and projected constructions of railway tracks, highways, as well as pipelines are shown as linear objects. Point features show major airports, ports and piers. The background is the density of motor roads in the administrative regions of the Baikal region and aimaks of Mongolia. Therefore, the transport of the Baikal region was analyzed with an integrative approach on the basis of the created map, and also using other literary sources and statistical data. The main types of transport in the region, their spatial location, as well as infrastructure of transport facilities are considered. Prospects for the development of regional transport are presented.

The necessity of development and marketing of ecological tourism in Baikal region is substantiated today by requirements for sustainability of entrenched economic activities in regions of Russia, as well as, by problems of environment preservation. Therefore, the modern ecological tourism concept and its principles suggested for Baikal region are described. The ecological tourism with active involvement of local residents in particular should become an important element for development of the Baikal region, promoting both economic development and preservation of natural and cultural heritage in the region. The work presents the model and approaches to ecological tourism, as well as marketing concept for ecological tourism products and services, the implementation of which is required for sustainable development of the given entrenched kind of activity in Baikal region territory. The issues of marketing planning and marketing strategy in the sphere of ecological tourism are discussed. The importance of nature preservation and of ecological tourism development for Baikal region is presented, as the most prospective and profitable way of tourism and entrenched for local people activity, which will result in new jobs and sustainable incomes to support local nature and communities.

In the article major factors of culture genesis in the Altai Mountains are analyzed. Natural and social laws of formation and evolution of the Altai's ethno-cultural landscapes are revealed. Ten basic factors in the formation and development of the ethno-cultural landscapes of the Altai have been identified through the joint application of natural-scientific and humanitarian research methods. Such are the High landscape diversity, the Naturally caused low population of Altai, the Barrier and contact role of the Altai Mountains, the External expansion, the Natural isolation of the Altai geo-cultural space, the Natural environment dynamics in Altai and adjacent contiguous territories, the State regulation of economic activity, the Change in the geoeconomical and geopolitical situation of the region, the Change in market conditions, the Change in the traditional worldview of the local population. According to the results of the work, it is determined that the culture genesis of Altai is largely determined by natural factors. Now in the Altai Mountains there is a great variety of ethno-cultural landscapes, the laws of development of which are related both to the features of the environment and to social processes. The isolation and inaccessibility of the Altai Mountains territory, its remoteness from civilizational centers, significant internal differentiation determine the low intensity of processes cultural diffusion, and significant sustainability and the preservation of traditional ethno-cultural landscapes. Globalization processes lead to simplification and unification structure of the Altai's geo-cultural space and loss of cultural diversity.

We examine results of recreation-geographical investigations in the Baikal region, where in Irkutsk oblast and Republic of Buryatia different measures are implemented, aimed at tourist flow increase. An analysis is made of the leading natural-ecological and socio-economic factors for the territorial organization of tourist and recreational activity. This study is based on theoretical-methodological approaches of recreation geography using the landscape planning, zoning and mapping approaches. It is confirmed that the development of the tourist system limits its capacity, which is determined by the natural properties of the natural environment and the state of the basic infrastructure of tourism and the associated infrastructure complexes - transport, social, household, environmental protection. Three types of ecological barriers to tourism development are identified: the existing legislatively established standards regulating recreational pressure on them; the resilience of ecosystems to tourism-related anthropogenic impacts, and the present status of natural ecosystems under recreational pressure. Territorial features of the system are determined by the tourist-recreational zoning, it is proposed to allocate eleven tourist-recreational zones. Based on the results of the research, it is planned to develop the Rules for tourism and recreation adjustment in the Baikal region.

Landscape-hydrological research in the Lake Baikal catchment area has identified individual hydrological properties of landscapes. We analysed physicogeographical conditions, ecological and socioeconomic features of the territory and identified the areas responsible for the formation of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of natural waters, determined areas with significant loads on the aquatic environment, revealed areas with different resistance to anthropogenic influences. Functional zoning of the territory provides the basis for the schemes of water resources use and protection as well as recommendations for the development of the Baikal Natural Territory in relation to the water factor. Our experience in the practical implementation of the landscape-hydrological approach for the water resources management within the Lake Baikal catchment area is represented in the projects of ecological justification of economic activity, water protection zoning of natural and residential areas. Assessing opportunities for the development of the territory based on the water factor rooted in the analysis of water and ecological natural potential, in the stability of hydrological functions of landscapes to natural and anthropogenic changes we examined using the example of zoning the southern shore of Lake Baikal for the recreational purposes. The conception of moisture transformation mechanisms in landscapes as it moves to the draining water body is taken as a basis of water protection zoning.

The concept of a "green" economy and "green" growth has a clearly expressed social context. It declares the improvement of well-being, the reduction of inequality, and the eradication of poverty in the development processes. This article aims to explore the problem of transaction costs in forest management in the different Russian regions in the context of the concept of "green economy". We can argue, on the base of results of this study, that Russian regions have very different "starting conditions" on the way to sustainability in the context of carbon balance. The calculations revealed a high degree of heterogeneity of the Russian regions in terms of the socio-environmental indicators. The analysis of spatial distribution of the transaction costs in the Russian regions also showed their high heterogeneity. Therefore, the establishment of a "carbon tax", which is now widely discussed by the scientific community, should not be based on uniform approaches and procedures for the whole country.

The paper presents the results of ecological and geographical studies of the Baikal region and Mongolia to identify the negative industrial impact on the environment. The industrial impact on the environment depends on the nature of its territorial location, extraction and consumption of raw material volume, materials and energy, waste recycling and completion degree of energy production cycles. We analyzed location of the leading industries and its impact on the environment. The identified industrial centers have their own influence on different natural environments. Each industry and individual industrial facilities "invade" the environment and have a different features and impact, including on human health. The problem of the industrial impact on the environment is global, and makes it important to study this topic. During the research we took into account the specifics of industrial development of the territories, as well as the existing ecological situation around Lake Baikal, and based on theoretical and methodological approaches to socioeconomic geography. Zoning and mapping approaches we used in this research. Based on the analysis of the location of industrial facilities and their impact on various natural environments, the areas of maximum and local impact on the environment within the boundaries of the considered territories were identified. Ecological-geographical studies of the areas where industrial objects were located enabled an overall assessment of anthropogenic impact both on the environment and on certain natural environments, taking into account the demographic pressure. The territorial features of the heterogeneous impact on the natural environment are determined by the unevenness of economic development of the territory.

Within the transboundary territories of Far Eastern Russia, China and Mongolia, various non-ferrous and expensive rare earth metals are actively mined, with uranium being most actively developed among all of them. The extraction of radioactive ores creates an increased threat to population of transboundary territories and forms the problem that requires coordinated solution to life safety issues. Establishing unified extraction and mineral processing complex within these territories could potentially reduce danger to the environment and increase economic efficiency of metal mining. Decontaminated ore utilisation can become an effective factor in strengthening raw material resource base of metallurgy in both, mining and processing within consolidated regions of the Far Eastern regions. Leaching technology options are a real step towards creation of low and waste-free mining based on combination of physical and technical & chemical processes of metal mining. Peculiarities of natural resource localization and extraction within territories of Russian Far East, China and Mongolia create favorable conditions in establishing environmentally safe and highly profitable metal mining cluster development of deposits of exposed metal ores. Collective use of modern equipment, based on leaching processes can significantly improve environmental, economic and social indicators of regional metal deposits development.

The development of financial literacy in a population helps to manage personal finances, as well as helps to shape the development of financial markets by attracting the public to participate in investment projects. Russia and China belong to a group of states characterized by the initialization of financial education programs for their respective populations. A comparative analysis of the financial literacy level, taking into account financial models of market development, shows China to have an advantage over Russia. The latest prediction models in the field of financial education indicated that China would rise high in the rating on the level of financial literacy of adult population among the G-20 countries. According to results of studies on financial literacy levels of 15-year-olds, conducted in the framework of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), Chinese teenagers were shown to be the most knowledgeable due to innovations in Chinese education. The experience of countries leading in the field of financial education of young people is being used to introduce programs in Russia. Target indicators of effectiveness of the financial knowledge of a population should include parameters that take into account both level of financial literacy and changes in people's behavior.

In the modern world, Russia is the main "environmental donor", ensuring sustainability of the biosphere. Sustainable development of Russia and its regions is connected with the realization of forest potential. From ecological and economic position it is one of the fundamental components of the regional space, regardless of the forest area level of Russian region. Among the modern priorities of the Russian public administration is the efficiency of the timber industry complex (TIC) and the capacity of forestry. These aspects retain their long-term importance at the national level, with the strengthening of regional (subnational) emphasis: the impact of the forest sector on the regional situation and the socio-economic situation of most regions. The current economic practice shows the importance of combining the criterion of efficiency with the criterion of sustainable development for the realization-development of Russian regions forest potential. The author's interpretation of the forest potential as a set of two main functions of the forest, distributed over time - socio-economic and socio-natural, allows achieving this goal. The author's method of constructing an integral indicator of sustainable development of Russian regions forest potential is presented. The analysis of results of opportunities and threats combination is carried out; types of regions are identified. Problems of using the method of integral indices are indicated. The research uses methods of theoretical and empirical analysis, statistical, regional, strategic, content analysis, indicative, index methods, method of grouping, statistical clusters, verbal modeling, typology, logical and content analysis.

The air quality is one of most relevant problem connected with the quality of life for human population and preservation of the Earth's ecosystem. Here we examined and analyzed the atmospheric ability to self-purification according to the method proposed by T.S. Selegay over the cities of Irkutsk, Beijing, and Ulan-Bator. The meteorological potential of the atmosphere (MPA) was chosen as a criterion for estimating of the atmospheric self-purification. In summer season 2017 meteorological conditions over the cities of Irkutsk and Ulan-Bator contributed to the dispersion of impurities in the atmosphere. MPA in Irkutsk in summer was 0.99, in Ulan-Bator 0.78. In summer 2017 and in winter 2017-2018 in Beijing occurred unfavorable meteorological conditions (UMC) which did not contribute to self-purification of the atmosphere from pollution. Summer MPA in Beijing varied from 2.14 to 4.66 with an average of 3.69. During the winter months in all three cities MPA was >1 which indicates the accumulation of impurities in the atmosphere. In Ulan-Bator unfavorable conditions for dispersion were developed and the maximum MPA index (9.5) was observed in December. Calm weather made the biggest contribution to the deterioration of the self-purification ability of the Ulan-Bator atmosphere in winter. The maximum accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere over Beijing occurs in winter. MPA varied from 15.0 in February to 19.0 in December with average value of 16.7. The fogs made the biggest contribution to the deterioration of the self-purification ability of the Beijing atmosphere in December-February.

The article considers one of the largest territorial entities of the Russian Federation – the Amur Region which occupies border location at the south-east of the Asian part of the country. Lying in the geospace of the transport corridors, the region is so called "the river gates" for the Asian Russia and for all countries of the North-Eastern Asia. The territory under study belongs to the most economically developed regions of the Far East that is first of all, stipulated by the specific character of its economic-geographical location, the unique character of natural and climatic conditions, large areas of plain territories with dominating meadow-chernozemic land, very high agricultural development against the general background of agricultural structure of the land-utilization of the Far Eastern economic district. The relevance of the research is indicated by the growth of the regional investment prospects and also by the search of the first choice directions of the perspective use of the natural-resource potential of the Amur Region in the context of the geographical proximity to the most dynamically developing part of the world – countries of the Asian-Pacific region. The regional factor variety of the Amur Region development highlighted by the author – allows to consider it as a powerful and real reserve of the build-up of the food, fuel and energy, mineral-extractive basis of the development not only of the Russian Far East but countries of the Asian Pacific Region in whole.

Cooperation of the border regions of the four countries, whose territories are located in the Altai mountain system, the so-called "The Great Altai", contributed to the establishment of the International Coordination Council "Our Common Home – Altai" (ICC "Altai") in 2003. The ICC "Altai" includes representatives of the legislative (representative) and executive powers of the Altai region and the Republic of Altai (Russian Federation), East Kazakhstan Region (The Republic of Kazakhstan), Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (People's Republic of China), and Khovd, Bayan-Ulgii aimags (Mongolia). The main objectives of the ICC "Altai" are the development and strengthening of trust, mutual understanding and good neighborliness among representatives of states, cultures and nationalities in the strategically significant Eurasian region of the Great Altai, as well as ensuring sustainable social and economic development of the border areas. In the conditions of geopolitical splits and geoeconomic rivalries that have become more complicated and openly manifested in international relations, the processes of consolidation of border regions and actions to create cross-border economic actors are updated in a new way. The need for joint measures and steps to stimulate the competitiveness of local economies in the territories of the Great Altai makes it necessary to develop common governance and coordination structures.

In this paper we consider the features of the contribution of Chinese migrants to the ethnoeconomic practices of the communities of the Barguzin basin, based on modern approaches to cultural geography and field research. The research area covers an island forest-steppe and steppe, surrounded by mountain-taiga areas. In the valley of the river Barguzin meadow steppes are replaced by forest-steppes and swampy areas. The diversity of natural environment provided a basis for the formation of various systems of ethnic wildlife management. During the establishing their residency the representatives of Evenks, Buryats, Russians, Poles, Jews, Chinese, Tatars, Ukrainians, Byelorussians and others formed the basis of ethnoeconomic practices and traditional economy as a whole complex of socio-natural observations, ideas, mutual interpretation of the traditions of various groups of local population. The key role of cultural traditions and nature management in formation of spatial features of the economic activities of local inhabitants is due to their historical continuity and compliance with both the needs of society and the landscape-geographical environment. The research resulted in a conclusion about the stable idea of the local population about their territorial unity and ethnic tolerance of the Barguzin community. The combination of hunting, nomadic cattle breeding, focal agriculture, farming, lake and river fishing, gathering reveals a connection between people and the natural-geographical and ethno-cultural features of the territory.

The Baikal region is a complex region as regards its natural environment and landscape characteristics; it is endowed with immense reserves of various natural resources, the industrial development of which is steadily progressing, thus posing challenging ecological problems. For assessing the ecological potential of geosystems, the landscape-typological map of the Baikal part of Siberia was generated. The classification of geosystems was carried out on the basis of the taxonomic system of hierarchical units of natural environment as developed in the Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS. Cartographic analysis determined the most informative units of geosystems of regional dimension, which made it possible to carry out a classification separation of the landscape structure of the Baikal part of Siberia. The investigations into the ecological potential, the factors and the conditions having influence upon its formation used: SRTM data, WorldClim global climate data; data on Net Primary Production; Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Enhanced Vegetation Index. The main principles of GRID modeling and the Analytic Hierarchy Process technique were used to assess the ecological potential of the Baikal region's geosystems which made it possible to represent the set of natural conditions needed to satisfy the requirements of the population for all the necessary primary means (merely ecological, unassociated with production). The evidence obtained concerning the ecological potential provide a natural scientific basis for a reasonable regional ecological policy, an improvement of the population distribution pattern and the social sphere, a rational organization of labour and recreation, and for the protection of human health.

The study of transboundary territories is an urgent and complex issue of geography since currently there is no well-developed methodology for studying these objects and there are only sectoral approaches to those. The landscape-ecological analysis of transboundary territories with their own characteristic set of relationships between man and nature should be based on a systematic approach that allows the geographical objects with different intersystem connections to be studied. From the point of view of system approach, the object of the study is a set of transboundary systems. In addition, the study of transboundary territories is possible due to the complexity of the study which is based on the landscape theory, the V.B. Sochava's theory of dynamics and evolution of geosystems, methods of ecological zoning.

In the early 1990s, Russia and Mongolia started transformations of the land relations and the system of agricultural land use. This study seeks to identify the distinctive features in agricultural land use in the upper (Mongolian) and lower (Russian) parts of the basin. An analysis is made of the main indicators reflecting the economic-geographical characteristics of agricultural land use, the structure of agricultural lands, the level of agricultural development, the dynamics of the area and efficiency of use of croplands and crop yield of grains. It was found that in spite of the more severe natural and climatic conditions, the Mongolian part of the basin has higher efficiency of agricultural land use. A decrease in the area of the cropland at the beginning of the agrarian transformations was observed throughout the territory of the basin. In the Mongolian aimags within the Selenga basin, the area of the cropland decreased by 27.5%. In the subsequent period, the sown area remained stable, in spite of a significant amplitude of fluctuations during separate years. In the Russian part of the basin, the area of croplands at the beginning of the agrarian transformations decreased by 21.5%. The tendency for a decrease in croplands has persisted to date. The main of the transformation of the agricultural land use system are formulated.

The results of ecological and socioeconomic scientific research within the central ecological zone of the Baikal natural territory (CEZ of the BNT) are presented, the legislatively fixed function of which is the preservation of the unique ecological system of Lake Baikal. It administratively includes the territory of three districts of the Irkutsk region (Irkutskii, Olkhonskii and Slyudyanskii) and four in the Republic of Buryatia (Barguzinskii, Kabanskii, Severobaikalskii and Pribaikalskii). The research is based on the theoretical and methodological approaches of social geography; we applied the ideology of the "green" economy and the centrality of territorial development. For Lake Baikal as an object of the World Natural heritage (since 1996) on the basis of the adopted federal law "On the protection of Lake Baikal", three federal target programs for the protection of the lake and socioeconomic development of the Baikal natural territory have been developed. Based on the data obtained during the targeted research of the federal and regional level on the territory of the CEZ of the BNT, a matrix is proposed for assessing the location of economic activity objects (e.g. industry of specialization - the recreational sphere). Geographical features of the CES of the BNT and its modern functional purpose predetermine the Baikal-centric vector of economic activity, primarily recreational, and the growing role of the emerging environmental protection infrastructure (GIS). We consider the GIS as part of the environmental infrastructure from the standpoint of the"green" economy as a practical implementation of the principles of sustainable development. Methods of expeditionary research and sociology (questioning, survey) were used.

The paper considers ecological consequences of the technogenic impact of the development of mineral deposits located in the economic corridors "China - Mongolia -Russia" within Mongolia and the Baikal region including the Irkutsk region, the Republic of Buryatia and the Transbaikal region. Administrative districts along the Transsiberian railway from Ulan-Ude to Ulaanbaatar to the border with China and Karymskoe-Zabaikalsk are being examined. A model that reveals an approach and main directions of the research has been developed. The structure of the model includes blocks containing information on objects and subjects of impact, environmental transformation and its assessment. A mapping method of the ecological situation was adopted as the main one. We created an original mapping language, consisting of a system of mapping signs that reflect the various environmental aspects of mining enterprises. We proposed criteria to assess technogenic impact within the fields and administrative regions. For the local assessment of the technogenic transformation of mining areas, we have taken the type of raw materials, its toxicity, the method of extraction, and the area of disturbed lands as environmental indicators. For spatial assessment, indicators of the environmental state in municipal areas have been adopted. The results of the studies are presented on six environmental maps that provide a visual representation of the mining impact on the environment, including its integrated assessment. A detailed description of the environmental consequences of mining enterprises activity, waste products that have the strongest impact on natural complexes, living conditions, economic activity and public health is given. The problems and prospects of further research are determined.

The article considers assessment and mapping of landscape sustainability in the zone of creation of economic corridors "China - Mongolia - Russia". Research was carried out within the borders of Mongolia and the Baikal region of Russia. Various natural and transformed landscapes are presented here. We should expect an increase in their transformation within the economic corridors in the creation of transport and infrastructure complexes. There is a need to determine the permissible level of negative impact of anthropogenic factors. We developed a model that reveals the directions, structure, stages and results of research in their logical sequence. The assessment and mapping of the sustainability of landscapes is based on the interpretation of landscape maps. The research was carried out on regional and topological level. For each level, the taxonomic rank of the assessed landscape, types of impacts, types of sustainability, a system of indicators and criteria are determined. For the calculations the scoring method was used. The characteristic of landscapes and their general stability for Mongolia and the Baikal region is given for all territory, but in the economic corridor China-Mongolia-Russia these characteristics are given more detailed. Prospects and directions of further research work are determined.

Territorial distribution of agricultural land erosion of in Siberia is considered. We determine different degradation processes mechanisms from west to east. In the Western Siberia meltwater erosion dominates. In the Middle Siberia soil erosion is caused by meltwater and rainstorm runoff, and in the Eastern Siberia by rainstorm discharge. Agricultural lands in mountains located in inter-mountain basins where concentric zoning of changes in mechanisms and rates of land degradation were analyzed. Predictive estimation of soil loss is carried out. We developed maps of erosion-hazard for agricultural lands. Detailed mapping of soil erosion rates in model basins has been carried out. Obtained are the trends and tendencies of soil erosion development in Siberia and the quantitative indicators of potential soil losses from erosion and deflation. Special attention is paid to soil degradation in the Lake Baikal basin. Positive trend of dust storms in the south part of Eastern Siberia at present day indicate aeolian processes increase under climate warming. In future, desertification of steppe landscapes will continue. The probability of desertification of southern Siberia, caused by the development of soil erosion, is determined. Regional models of soil conservation are presented

The testing and chemical analyses of the snow cover have revealed the anomalies for the following chemical elements and substances: F, Cl, SO₄, NO₂, NO₃, PO₄, K, Na, NH₄, Mo, Mn, Ba, Al, Pb, Ni, Cu, Be, V, Cr, Fe, Si, Zn, Sr, Ti, Hg and petroleum products which all exceed their background concentrations. Air and snow pollution of the lake's water area has been detected near the littoral residential zones and in the estuary of the Selenga River. The concentrations of NH₄, Pb, Be, Hg and petroleum products in the snow water exceed the MAC. According to the research, the current chemical composition of Lake Baikal's water, in terms of its drinking properties, conforms to health and safety standards due to the accumulation of pollutants in soil and alluvial deposits and their delution with a huge amount of lake water. The only exceptions are some local areas of the shoreline. A local increase in the content of Mn, Pb, Ni, Co, Cr, Zn, Cu which all exceed the MAC and the APC values has been detected near the populated areas. High concentrations of F, Hg, Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, PO₄, NH₄ have been detected in the large rivers flowing into the lake. The landscapes of the rivers' estuaries serve as a geochemical barrier for toxic substances.

Landscape-ecological analysis of soil invertebrate's communities and their spatial distribution in the Baikal Region was carried out on the local (biogeocenotic), topological (facies) and regional levels. The paper considers Methodological Framework for Assessment of transformation of communities' structure and biodiversity under the influence of natural: phytocenotic (peculiarities of vegetation), edaphical and climatic (hydrothermal regime of the soil) conditions and anthropogenic factors: the removal of the wood as a result of deforestation, fires, irrational use of pastures, technogenic pollution, recreation and others. Peculiarities of structures of invertebrate's communities and their changes due to the climate change and anthropogenic impacts can serve as one of diagnostic criteria of soil conditions and can be used for estimation of an extent of landscape's transformation and for monitoring. In the spectrum of states of the taxonomic diversity of landscape units, three main categories of situations are distinguished: critical, conflict and relatively satisfactory. The main trend of changes in taxonomic diversity of invertebrate's communities is a decrease in the species number in the gradient of an increase of climate aridity, and strengthening of the hypothermal character and anthropogenic pressure.

The current trend of climatic changes in the northern hemisphere is accompanied by an increase in the number of cases of extreme weather events; droughts have become typical for the Baikal region. In the changing conditions of the regional geosystems background impact, the pyrogenic factor acts as a catalyst for the transformation of geosystems. The research is aimed at identifying and mapping the dynamic and structural transformations of the geosystems in the northern Priolkhonie region (the western coast of Lake Baikal), influenced by pyrogenic factor. Spatial analysis of the location of the burnt territories was carried out on the basis of Landsat 8 (OLI) remote sensing in the GIS. Groups of facies in the territory of the northern Priolkhonye region influenced by destructive pyrogenic factor in the period of 2014 – 2015 were designated. Long-term degradation of forest-growing conditions with a long renewal stage, replacement of dark-coniferous forests by light-coniferous forests in a certain part of their range, replacement of larch-pine steppe forests, mainly in the southern slopes, by steppe communities are therefore forecast. In the highland part of the Primorsky Range, the dwarf siberian pine Pinus pumila communities destructed by fire contributes to a wide expansion of stone placers (kurums).

In this paper the authors present a methodology on information support for research on human and environmental impact of Lake Baikal. The geoportal placed on the Internet allows researchers to create a common thematic database (tabular data) and map data (information layers) within the framework of the project, as well as to run Internet services for geoprocessing and complex data analysis problems solving. One of the key features of the engineered geoportal is the ability for users to create the structure of their databases independently (to add, to delete and to modify the tables structure) as well as to configure the run of geoprocessing services. Besides this platform allows you to take on projects on various subjects and with a large number of users simultaneously. They have took on works on 3D modeling of the surface topography of the coastal zone near the village of Listvyanka. Underwater terrain is combined with land relief. As a result catchment basins along which pollutants with groundwater enter the coastal waters of Lake Baikal have been identified. The data on pollution concentration sites is confirmed by practical measurements and coincides with the drainage areas.

The article summarizes the experience gained during processing of the data about the terrain of the Bratsk Reservoir bed. We discuss the available sources of information on the land and underwater terrain and justify the choice of the sources used in the project. To measure the actual depths in the regions of interest an echo-sounder of the consumer grade was applied, and we consider the processing of its measurements in some details. We describe the free, open source and custom software, which we apply for the processing of the data. We consider the use of the several algorithms that we have developed for processing of the terrain points. The main goal of this processing is to obtain the combined terrain model, which summarizes the data from the various information sources: the topographic maps, the pilot charts and the echo sounder measurements. All the algorithms considered build and process the triangulations of irregular sets of points. The algorithms used are: constrained Delaunay triangulation construction; removal of artefacts of triangulation, constructed from the terrain isolines; map morphing to reconcile the terrain models: and triangulation fragment replacement. The resulting combined terrain model contains all the information about the terrain in the area of interest and allows to use the model for the further hydrological calculations.

Low-water period in the basin of Lake Baikal began in the middle 90s of the 20 century. A statistically significant trend in temperature increase and decrease in precipitation is established. The analysis of water inflow in Lake Baikal is performed. It is established that the Baikal level practically directly depends on the water content of the Selenga river. Dendrochronological reconstruction of the Selenga river run-off was carried out. In recent decades, a statistically significant trend towards the descent of the river run-off with the analysis of air temperature and atmospheric precipitation in the whole basin in the Russian part of the basin has been identified. The meridional transect (E 105-107, N 51-44) is chosen for the investigation, covering all arid climatic zones. A set of methods for remote sensing, geoinformation technologies and in-situ surveys of geosystems with the implementation of landscape, geobotanical and soil studies, mapping of vegetation of model polygons and key sites were used. A spatio-temporal assessment of the state of natural-anthropogenic geosystemsis carried out, criteria, indicators and tendencies of their dynamics are determined in connection with the processes of land degradation and desertification.

In the framework of the study based on ERA-Interim reanalysis dataset the analysis of average values of available potential energy, kinetic energy, their eddy components and parameter of relative vorticity, characterizing cyclonic and anticyclonic types of circulation, was carried out over the period of 1979-2015 for the territory of West Siberia. Also coefficients of their linear trends were calculated. It was revealed that the distribution in positive and negative tendencies of energetic characteristics was significantly changed upon transition from the period of 1979-1998 to the period of 1999-2015 along with considerable increase in their trend values. Their trend areas with negative values were located close to each other and were slightly covered in zone 60°-64°N. The greatest dissipation intensity was observed in the middle troposphere. At the earth's surface eddy circulation generation along the Arctic coast was shifted to East Siberia. The beginning of XXI century was characterized by the significant decrease in eddy circulation activity over West Siberia that was especially pronounced in winter. Furthermore, eddy circulation (cyclonic type) increased just in the certain zones - in the interfluve area of the Ob and the Irtysh rivers. This indicates the possibility of anomalies in meteorological parameters formation there.

The paper presents a description of the atmospheric-soil measuring complex (ASMC) intended for mobile and stationary long-term automatic measurements of the basic parameters of the atmosphere, soil and water. The device developed by the Institute of Monitoring of Climate and Ecological Systems of the SB RAS has a number of differences from analogues. To substantiate the possibility of using the device as a meteorological value meter, the data of measurements of air temperature and humidity, soil temperature, snow cover depth were verified. The data obtained by ASMC were compared with standard meteorological instruments. As a result of the analysis, high correlation coefficients between the time series were obtained. The average error of air temperature in the ASMS measurement is less than 0.2°C, and 91% of the measurements are within ±1° C. The average air humidity error is 5%, 70% of the measurements are within 5% of the error, and 95.5% of the measurements are within 10% of the error. The average error in soil temperature measurements during the warm period is 0.5°C, during the cold period is 1.5°C. The average error in measuring the snow cover depth is 5 cm and 90% of the measurements do not exceed it.

Knowledge of moderngeosystems properties, regularities of their formation, and changes under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors is the basis for the timely prediction of adverse events occurring during the change of environment. Abstract review of the individual components and static geosystems cannot bring substantive results in solving these problems. The situation is compounded by the need to study and mapping of regions geosystems, which are characterized by tectonic activity and intensive dynamic processes. Currently, when a significant of geophysical, geological data and landscapes virtually no development, dedicated to solving the problem of study geosystems such regions. Specificity of study is complex mapping geosystems, which are characteristic diverse genesis, different stages of development, in the synthesis of space and time into a single whole, the comparison of the current state of geosystems with the natural rhythms and patters of development of the natural environment. These studies are a theoretical model of reality, synthesized information on the functioning, dynamics and evolution of geosystems, the direction of their transformation, as in changing natural and anthropogenic conditions. In development analysis of the future state of geosystems these studies have high scientific and practical value.

The work evaluates the general distribution of mercury in the soil cover of the Tunkinskaya depression (the Republic of Buryatia, the national park "Tunkinsky"). For this purpose, its gross contents in natural and agrogenically transformed soils were studied: plowlands, fallow lands, hayfields and pastures. The physico-technical characteristics of soils, the content of organic carbon, the group composition of humus are determined. The method of processing the results included the calculation of the ecological and geochemical parameters: the concentration coefficient relative to the background, MAC, Clark concentration relative to the Earth's crust, the Earth's soils, the identification of the relationship with the physical and technical characteristics of the soil, and the content of C02, CO2 carbonates, fulvic and humic acids. In soils, the largest part of mercury is in free form (>41%). The proportion of physically and chemically related mercury accounts for 9-16% of all mercury in the soil. The least amount of mercury in the soils is in the form of sulfides and chemically bound forms of mercury (<10%). It should be noted that this feature is noted both in native soils and in anthropogenically disturbed soils. The proportion of chemically and strongly bound mercury increases with depth, and the content of free and sulphide forms decreases.

The issues of displaying information about diversity, differentiation, integration, dynamics and evolution of conditionally-natural and anthropogenically-altered geosystems on medium-scale maps are considered. The mapping technique is based on the theory of geosystems and the principles of constructing the hierarchical structure of geometers by integrating their indicators. To demonstrate the organization of low-steppe and forest-steppe topogeosystems in southern Siberia on a large scale, a classification was developed based on the principles of the theory of geosystems and the concept of the interdependence of geosystem organization with the differentiation of matter. When compiling maps of geosystems of a smaller scale, the methodological approaches of landscape analysis, synthesis and detailed landscape survey that are applied at the topological level are impossible. The main sources for medium-scale maps are remote sensing materials, topographic, thematic maps only partially controlled by the results of a wide-scale landscape survey and detailed mapping of key areas. The maps of parts of the south of Central Siberia are generalized to create a single medium-scale geosystem map (1: 1000000). When compiling it, the author's own ideas on the classification of geosystems obtained from the experience of landscape mapping of other regions are also used. In future information on geosystems obtained with landscape mapping will be interpreted from the positions of applied geography for the creation of landscape-evaluation maps in order to optimize nature management with the use of landscape planning. To adequately reflect the organization of the geographical envelope from the perspective of the theory of geosystems, it is necessary to develop a modern landscape classification based on correct quantitative data including three taxonomic series of geosystems: typological, horological and dynamic.

The southern Cisbaikalia is located within the Baikal rift zone and the Altai-Sayan folded region. Self-organization of the geosystems in the research area is formed under a specific impact of geodynamically active regions. The main factors of self-organization of geosystems, especially the real-energy exchange, development, internal and external relationships, resonance, stability, are influenced by increased inflow of endogenous heat, Neogene-Quaternary volcanism and high tectonic activity of the territory. Formation and development of the neotectonic structure of the research area determine three energy-carrying elements of the Earth's deep structure - a powerful asthenolite, light blocks of the earth's crust and a vertical channel of the mantle. They in turn affect the formation of components of geosystems and their interrelationships. The paper presents the results of studying the factors of self-organization of geosystems of the southern Cisbaikalia, carried out using the methodology of self-organization process research, field expedition work, and interpretation of space images. The influence of energy-bearing elements on the formation, development and current state of geosystems is shown. It has been observed that within the regions, where elevated values of endogenous heat are recorded, geosystems containing both ancient (relic) and endemic components are concentrated.

Results from investigating the geosystems of Baikal Natural Territory in its western part (Primorskii Range) are presented. For studying macroslope of these mountain range (having an easterly aspect for the Primorskii Range), the regional background and the main factors of the landscape differentiation of the study areas were analysed. Structural features of topological geosystems are revealed, and large-scale maps of key areas are compiled (at a scale of 1:50 000). Maps of the landscape-typological structure were created on the basis of the structural-dynamic and facies analysis of landscapes. Based on of V. B. Sochava's theory of geosystems it is meant for use in processing and ordering a large body of information. It is established that the main factors influencing the landscape diversity are the aspect and steepness of the slopes, the composition and structure of rocks, the absolute height, the amount of atmospheric precipitation, and anthropogenic impacts. It is determined that the influence of the lithomorphic factor is widespread throughout the study areas, the hydromorphic factor is also important, the cryomorphic factor occurs additionally in the goletz zone.

The aim of the work is to create a landscape-typological map of the territory to study the territorial differentiation of recreational activities. The variety of landscapes of the Baikal region is determined by a large number of landscape-forming factors, as well as the heterogeneity of the conditions in which geocomplexes are formed. A landscape-typological map of the territory was created on a scale of 1: 500 000. As an input data for creating the map, electronic topographic maps of the territory, space images of Landsat 5, 7, 8 for different seasons and years (including mosaic of MrSID for 2000 and Hansen mosaic for 2016), digital elevation models, landscape, geological, soil and geobotanical maps of different scale were used. A total of 56 landscape units were identified: 13 highland (goltzy, sub-mountain, reduced development mountain-taiga), 6 medium-mountain (limited development taiga), 14 lowland (optimal development mountain-taiga, steppe), 13 foothill (limited development taiga, optimal development taiga, subtaiga, steppe), 10 - intermontane depressions and valleys (limited development taiga, optimal development taiga, steppe). The conclusions drawn about the landscape structure and recreational properties of the territory are generalized. More detailed landscape research is needed, including comprehensive field work to clarify the landscape map and assess the recreational significance of landscapes.

Air temperature is one of the most important climate characteristics, which is used for climate research, investigation and modeling of vegetation, hydrological parameters and other landscape components as well as geosystems entirely. The goal of this research is investigation and mapping of the seasonal and daily air temperature regime of different landscapes of Mondy valley. For the research we use landscape map of the area on the level of group of facies as well as thermochron devices. For the analysis of air temperature regime of different landscapes we used year-round time air temperature data for 2013 from 12 key areas. For each class of facies of the landscape map monthly air temperature characteristics were calculated, and maps of mean monthly air temperature were made. According to the annual mean air temperature values landscapes of the bottom of the valley are colder than landscapes of slopes. Temperature regimes of landscapes in summer and in winter are different. In winter landscapes of the central part of the valley are characterized by the lowest values of air temperature, and the landscapes of the ridges – by the highest temperature due to winter temperature inversions.

The regional features of long-term changes in air temperature at the south-western Baikal region on the background of global climate changes were studied. To estimate changes in air temperature in the basins of the south-western Pribaikalie, the long-term series of air temperature were used for the Tunka weather station. The correlation coefficients between the series of air temperature at the Tunka weather station and the temperature averaged for the temperate latitudes, the Northern Hemisphere, and the Globe were analyzed. Analysis of the variations in the anomalies of the mean annual temperature averaged for different zones, have shown a pronounced increase in the growth rate of the annual air temperature since the beginning of the 1970s for all the series of data. To estimate the relationship between the change in the surface air temperature in south-western Pribaikalie and large-scale atmospheric circulation mechanisms, correlation coefficients between the series of temperature and the characteristics of the atmospheric circulation have been calculated. The results of the analysis showed that the closest relationship between air temperature in the basins of the south-western Pribaikalie exists with the Scandinavian index (SCAND), the western type of atmospheric circulation of Wangengeym-Girs (W) in winter, the pressure in the center of the Siberian High in December.

In the conditions of the development of today´s mining industries, many coal mining enterprises (even though the production volumes are currently increasing) are looking for the ways to conserve previously mined areas and monitor their ecological state. The extraction of fossils from the depths of the earth produces natural and manmade complexes that have a considerable impact on vast territories. The largest impact lies in turning the lands for general use into commercial mining areas and land allocations. Open cut mining leads to the emergence of quarries, stopes and embankments of different sizes, changes in relevant and absolute elevation marks compared to the initial surface, which is connected with the construction of quarry dumping complexes. Direct dumping methods contribute to the formation of the system of narrow crests that are combined with leveled plateau-like parts of a spoil pile. The slopes of spoil piles have high angles of gradient (14-40°) and are subject to sheet and gully erosions which form large alluvial cones. Technogenic sediments formed at their bottom reach the height of several meters and spread up to a few hundred meters from the dumps. During coal mining, the rocks are stored in external and internal dumps of coal strip mines without any preliminary sorting, which also leads to soil and water pollution with heavy metals.

Comparison between hydrothermal coefficient of Selyaninov (HTC), Ped` drought index (S_i) and indices SPI, SPEI are presented. Indices were calculated for the territory of Southern Siberia (50-65 N, 60-120 E). Functionality of the web-GIS "CLIMATE" was extended by a software module based on the integrated package to calculate indices. The ECMWF ERA-Interim reanalysis data on air temperature and precipitation were used as input data for the study. Analysis were carried out for the warm season from 1979 to 2017. The highest coefficients of linear correlation were obtained by comparing SPI and SPEI (0.8-0.9), Si and HTC (0.7-0.9) from June to August. Distribution of the number of strong and extreme droughts over the study period according to SPI and SPEI indices is the same, 2-3 strong droughts was observed per period. According to the analysis of Si, the highest frequency of strong droughts (up to 4) was observed also in July and August. But it was recorded only at the Sayan Mountains region. According to the results of the anomaly of HTC analysis, June and August are most droughty (2-3 strong droughts per period). The identified intensity and duration of droughts, based on these indices do not always coincide.

The problem of soil degradation as a result of deflation remains particularly relevant for the territory of the Selenga midland. Based on historical data, it led to huge losses in agriculture, the dust storms, sand filling of settlements and roads. The problem of desertification is closely connected with the processes of aeolian relief formation. Therefore, the development of effective policies and practices to prevent desertification requires investigations of geomorphological systems response to climate change and anthropogenic impact. The necessary data can only be obtained in the course of interdisciplinary research involving geography and geology methods and historical materials. This paper presents the data on the dynamics of aeolian relief formation during the Holocene and historical era in the central part of the Selenga midland. Based on the study of soil-sedimentary sections and its radiocarbon dating the stages of soil formation corresponds with an relatively favorable climatic conditions were distinguished. Arid phases correspond to activation of aeolian processes and manifest themselves as horizons of loess and sand deposits overlying the buried soils. The most intense, they were proceeded at the Late Glacial – Holocene border (12.9 – 11.7 kyr BP) and Early Holocene (10.5 – 9.4 kyr BP), in the Atlantic (8.6 – 6.9 kyr BP), beginning (∼ 5.4 – 4.8 kyr BP) and the end (∼ 3.4 – 2.9 kyr BP) of Subboreal period of Holocene. Analysis of historical and literature data revealed the process of farmland degradation into desert landscape, unsuitable for further agricultural use. For this territory results of investigation of the morphological structure, the rate of aeolian landforms formation and particle size distribution of the constituent of sand are presented.

All modes of transport are developed in the Far East region of Russia, namely: the railway, road, river, maritime, aviation and pipeline ones. The following groups of functions performed by regional transport are distinguished like provision of the intra-district, inter-district, foreign economic and transit links as well as the joints of various modes of transport, including those between land and maritime transports. The various types and spatial structures of conjugations of railway transport in the southern regions of the Russian Far East with neighbouring countries, PRC and DPRK are determined. The main connecting role in such conjugations is played by the trans-boundary links of the transport network and the pairs of cross-border transport nodes. Generalized assessments of conjugations between the different modes of transport in the Far Eastern region of Russia as well as the presence of conjugations of different modes of transport in the region with transport networks of neighbouring foreign countries, PRC, DPRK, USA and Japan, are given.

The article discusses the strategic initiative of China, "One Belt, One Road" (OBOR), aimed at creating a new model of international economic cooperation. This megaproject, except establishment of new and modernization of centuries-old trade routes for the direct supply of goods from China through Eurasia to Europe and Africa, is aimed at the cardinal improvement of transport, logistics, energy and telecommunications infrastructure, which requires a fundamentally different level of coordination in the field of macroeconomic policies of states, readiness to reduce trade barriers and build more open contacts between people. "The new Silk Road of China" provides a new vector to a single Eurasian economic space, in which China expects to receive a system-forming role. In essence, this multi-purpose project leads to the practical testing of a new model of globalization, and at the same time inevitably generates a completely different context of anthropogenic impact on the environment, including environmental impact, and providing huge social, cultural, economic, institutional multi-level impacts. An example of this is the situation in the transboundary basin of the Amur River. The conservation value of the Amur ecoregion is selectively represented here; the differences in the transport accessibility of the border administrative facilities of the three countries are shown in comparative terms, the most likely options for the formation and development of infrastructure projects are discussed, the necessary restrictions as the conditions for ensuring the nature conservation values of the territory are discussed.

The article presents results of investigation of roadside service in Irkutsk oblast carried out by the authors in order to improve the current network and for rational placement of new facilities. The major factors and problems of roadside service development were revealed and mathematical calculations and thematic maps were made. A geoinformation system based on applied GIS MapInfo with original database was created by the authors. The study is of great theoretical, methodological and practical value for future development of roadside service in all Russian regions. Particular practical significance of the study is that roadside service facilities scheme layouts for each municipality of Irkutsk oblast were created. Many of the calculations were made for municipality of the first level which is most useful and valuable for authorities and departments controlling roadside service market development, as well as for private entrepreneurs. The basic ideas and findings in the form of concrete recommendations for Irkutsk oblast as a whole and individual municipalities are currently used by the federal and regional authorities to address many problems of roadside service system development.

It makes use of the trade complementarity index, trade integration index and export concentration index to conduct an in-depth analysis of trade development process and the import and export structure of agricultural products between China with Russia from 2006 to 2017. The results show that degree of integration of China's agricultural trade with Russia continues to increase, and its trade structure is highly complementary. At the same time, the types of agricultural trade between them have increased significantly. The trade pattern of agricultural products is dominated by medium- and low-end primary agricultural products in China and Russia. The share of deep-processed agricultural products is relatively small, and the trade structure of agricultural products is monotonous, the bilateral trade potential has not yet been fully realized between China with Russia. Under the background of the "One Belt and One Road" initiative and the construction of China- Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, the trade potential between China and Russia will increase rapidly and the trade space will further expand.

Key factor of Russia-Mongolia conciliation procedures in development projects on the Lake Baikal basin territory is the status of Baikal as a World Heritage site. Both countries are the parties to the World heritage Convention. Hydropower construction projects in the Lake Baikal basin, which currently are under consideration, are indicative examples of elaboration of procedures in achievement of harmonized decisions of Russia and Mongolia with participation of international institutions. This paper gives analysis of problem solving instruments, as well as consolidated actions of authorities, science and the public in international talks on threat prevention in Baikal region. The paper emphasizes not only necessity of scientific support as one of the mandatory conditions of any cooperation, but also highlights formation of working groups and their mandates; different levels of talks for harmonization of views; interaction of science, regional and federal authorities; role of NGOs and citizens, public consultations. The following preliminary conclusions are justified: accomplished scientific and public actors can be a key element in harmonization of interests; there is a subjective factor that has a crucial significance – availability of specialists, who provide substantive work and organizational management of actions; it is reasonable to regulate main stages of harmonized actions with identification of existing legal and institutional instruments.

The technology for creating an information and analytical environment (IAE) for spatial data processing based on the use of spatial data infrastructure (SDI) components and a service-oriented paradigm was proposed for the management of territorial development. The environment is characterized by its spatial nature and distribution of territorial information resources. At the same time, emphasis is placed on the transition from a standard SDI, as an access medium for the exchange of spatial data, to an SDI of an integration type, as an environment for access, exchange, creation, storage of new sets of spatial and thematic data and processing services. The use of Service-oriented Architecture (SOA), open standards by OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium), Web technologies, standardization of the browser's interface and Web services, allowed to move from local to distributed and "cloud" computing in which information and computing resources are provided as Web services. The technology for creating an information and analytical environment involves the use of sets (combinations) of thematic Web services with standardized interfaces integrated with standard protocols (SOAP, WSDL, etc.).

"Silk Road Economic Belt" and "The 21st Century Marine Silk Road" are the major strategic concepts of China to build a new sustainable international political and economic order, to face the complex and changeable international geopolitical economic patterns and combat the global economic crisis. Transportation is the dominant force to shape and change economic spatial patterns. In this research, through the study of existing literature and data, the author built the transportation patterns of the countries along "The Belt and Road", revealed that among the countries along "The Belt and Road", the infrastructure constructions were perfect, the trade development of transportation industry was not balanced, the developed countries had obvious advantages, and the developing countries were developing rapidly. Then, the author established the transportation measures of the countries along "The Belt and Road", which were that China should innovate cooperation mechanism, establish cooperation platforms, play a vanguard role of the civil aviation, set high-speed rail construction as the breakthrough point, establish international logistics system, set up International Logistics Association, and so on. This research took the international perspective and scientific analysis to support the national strategy of "The Belt and Road", and the conclusions will provide a strong theoretical basis and strategic support for the construction of "The Belt and Road".

The extending of Trans-Siberian railway is considered as homotopic parameter, i.e. a factor of a geographical location and connectivity of economic space, forming a line of functional order along which the economy of Siberia and the Russian Far East is transformed. It is possible to pass judgment on a similarity of economies by correlating the regional investments on industry and agriculture VRP. For this purpose the economic connectivity (similarity) of regional economies along the railway is calculated with using a Jacobi determinant for vectors of coefficients of investment acceleration. The comparisons are carried out concerning parameters of Irkutsk region economy. The indexes reflecting advantages of the regional environment of economic activity or regional investment climate are calculated. The main spatial and temporary trends of formation of geoeconomic relations of regions are revealed. It is possible to consider Baykal region with intracontinental position and unique natural features as peculiar "reference point" for the comparative quantitative geographical analysis of economic activity conditions.

Aviation passenger traffic is becoming increasingly important in international economic relations. The development of the China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor is no exception. Despite the fact that the media focuses on projects for the construction of the new high — speed Railways and oil and gas pipelines, a significant part of economic cooperation is implemented through air transport links. The study examines all the air routes between Russia and China, as well as Russia and Mongolia, available in the peak summer schedule of 2018. All routes connect 13 cities in Russia and 30 cities of China and the capital of Mongolia, forming a separate air corridor between the three countries studied. The population of cities is certainly one of the essential factors determining the level of development of aviation ties. Nevertheless, other factors play an important role: the high centrality of the Russian economy, the dominance of the Moscow air hub as a transfer point, the weak development of interregional air transport and others. Among the identified trends, it is a high proportion of flights to Irkutsk from Mongolia and China — with not so significant economic potential of the city, the main factor determining the leading position of the city was the tourist attraction of the region for travelers from the countries in the study.

The article describes the problems of creating the economic corridor China-Mongolia-Russia. The issues of interaction between the three countries on joining the Chinese initiative of the economic belt of the Silk Road, the Mongolian concept of the "Steppe Way" and the Russian idea of building the Eurasian Economic Union are studied. The problems of implementation of the "Program of creation of economic corridor China – Mongolia – Russia" are revealed. The necessity of specification of the list of investment projects and determination of the membership of the participants is substantiated. The expediency of the creation of a permanent tripartite intergovernmental Commission for the implementation of the Program of creation of the China – Mongolia – Russia economic corridor, headed by high officials of each country, is justified. The commission is proposed to allocate several subcommissions in various areas, including transport infrastructure, trade, energy, industry, humanitarian cooperation and other areas of activity. The necessity of the establishment in each of the three countries of the state commissions for the implementation of the Program, the activities of which should be aimed at the preparation of specific projects, the appointment of stakeholders, the involvement of specialists and experts is substantiated. The expediency of placing the state commissions of Russia and China in the administrative centers of the regions, most connected with the economic corridor is shown in Ulan-Ude (the Russian Federation) and Hohhot (China) is pointed out.

China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor is a key strategic area that China, Mongolia, and Russia are all dedicated to developing. However, China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor cover three countries, and passes through multiple geographical units, and there are huge differences in economic, social, and ecological development within the regions. The construction of China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor has many potential risks. Therefore, this paper studied the current socio-economic and environmental situation of main regions along the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, including Primorski Krai, Khabarovsk Krai, Amur oblast of Fareast Region, Irkutsk oblast, Zabaykalsky Krai and Republic of Buryatia of Baikal region and Novosibirsk region, Mongolia, and Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang of Northeast China. Then we revealed the main ecological environment risks, and put forward green development mode to achieve sustainable socio-ecological-economic development of the corridor, which includes the ecological civilization mode, four hierarchies of Chinese circular economy mode, green service industry and low carbon tourism, establishing green and low carbon eco-tourism mode and establishing eco-city. Then prior action to achieve sustainable development of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor was proposed. Including establish green, low-carbon, circular economic system, establish low carbon eco-tourism pilot area and cultivate green development and ecological civilization.

Tourism as a subject of research is a complex and not yet fully studied phenomenon, despite the fact that in practice of economic activity it occupies an increasingly prominent place and tends to steady growth. One of the most important tasks of understanding this phenomenon is building an adequate and comprehensive classification system that could be used by both theorists and practitioners of tourism business. The article proposes to classify historical, cultural and natural objects of educational tourism according to the location with regard to each other and in recreational and tourist centers of the water areas of educational tourism of the Krasnodar region. There are three basic models: compact, annular and linear. Compact-focal, compact-linear and semi-circular models are referred to mixed variants. The received data of the preliminary assessment of recreational tourist zones models, which have received classification characteristics, allow us take into account the specifics of historical, cultural and natural objects in the structure of water areas of educational tourism differentially and systematically. Accordingly, the proposed models are evaluated on the consolidated indicators, which is the basis for further research of socio-economic, infrastructure, environmental and other aspects in the planning of development prospects of the recreational and tourism industry.

The concept of Central Eurasian Region is introduced and grounded; the role of the Region in geopolitical and geo-economic entities of world leading actors is considered. Multiple interests of remote and adjacent to Central Asia countries involved in integration/disintegration processes are identified. Probable effects of the initiative "One Belt, One Road" (OBOR) on the territory (through which transnational transport and logistics routes will pass) are discussed. The emphasis is made on mountainous inland landscapes and their ecological value for national communities and states. Authors describe major risks associated with the proposed mega-project, which accounts for China interests. The danger of receiving most dividends by few stakeholders and possible negative consequences for local population are considered. We propose the methods for optimal development of this ultra-continental region. Here, a coordinated development of numerous spheres is required that will contribute to progressive movement forward and prevent the extreme interregional and cross-country competition under limited investments and resources. Transboundary projects ("Tashkent-Shymkent and Rubtsovsk-Semey industrial hubs") can be realized along with OBOR in comply with own interests. The need for Russia and adjacent countries cooperation with further establishment of a specific economic-political union aimed to improve their position on the world stage is specified.

The mechanism of territorial environmental management in the possessing unique natural and geographical characteristics is proposed. Their uniqueness is an objective criterion for giving them a special status that does not depend on the government interests. The main task of managing such territories is the competent combination of various instruments for regulating the use of natural resources and protecting the unique parameters. For this purpose, in addition to general environmental legislation, the standards of a special system of government regulation are applied. Therefore the same land plot falls within the scope of the several legal regimes, which causes difficulties in definition the priority regime. On example of Lake Baikal a mechanism of legal environmental zoning has been developed that allows making decisions in the condition of a lot environmental limitations oriented to protecting unique territorial properties. Legal zoning is informational mechanism of territorial management that regulates relations in the field of land use, reflecting contradictions in real and permitted use and allowing a long-term forecast of territorial development. With use of geographic information systems operation of laws on the territory in the form of the map of legal zoning is visualized that allows to be easy guided in legislative space.

Sino-Russian natural gas cooperation has an important impact on natural gas trade in both Russia and China. Based on the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), this paper has established a natural gas import and export security evaluation system to scientifically assess Sino-Russian gas cooperation with respect to the Sino-Russian natural gas structure and situation under the influence of different factors. The research shows: the diversification of natural gas imports in China has gradually increased. China's natural gas imports from Russia are on the rise; When accounting for the export potential of the importing countries, China's HHIC-PE reveals a wavy upward trend after falling to a low in 2008, and then, upon reaching a peak in 2013, it presents a stable, albeit slightly declining, trend; After accounting for price, the overall HHIC-PE-OP declines, rises and declines again; HHIR shows a sharp decline after it increases, and it then rises again; After accounting for the import potential of exporting countries, the Russian natural gas export risk exhibits two M-type declines; The drop in natural gas prices in recent years has had a significant negative impact on Russian natural gas export security; In the next few years, the sharp increase in Sino-Russian natural gas trade volume will increase the import concentration of both Russia and China, which should guard against the rising natural gas import and export risk.

The Belt and Road initiative will improve the interconnection among Asian, European and Africa, promote international trade and the optimal allocation of factors of production among the counties along the Belt and Road. There are abundant agricultural resources and many agricultural countries along the Belt and Road. Promoting agricultural international cooperation has great important significance in putting forward the Belt and Road initiative construction, ensuring food security and promoting sustainable development of the Belt and Road even all over the world. This study researched on the spatial pattern of agriculture resources, agricultural development advantages and disadvantages of the countries along the Belt and Road and the agricultural trade between these countries and China, and based on this, advanced some strategies for our country in promoting agricultural cooperation to the other countries of the Belt and Road which contains: "Land imports", overseas "high-tech green agriculture park" construction and establish "green agriculture international cooperation and development alliance of the Belt and Road initiative". And then, we put forward some safeguard suggestions. This research took the international perspective and scientific analysis to support the national strategy of "The Belt and Road", and the conclusions will provide a strong theoretical basis and strategic support for the construction of "The Belt and Road".

The article focuses on the role of land bridges as a factor of reduction of continentality, the cases of Russia and Canada are considered. The example of the TransCanada railway, as well as the Transsiberian railway and the Central route of the OBOR, shows that due to relatively cheap tariffs, they will improve the transport and geographical position of inland regions. However, they cannot completely overcome the continentality of these regions and compete on an equal basis with the regions facing the sea or inner waterways accessible for Maritime navigation (the Saint Lawrence and the Great lakes Seaway, Yangtze, the Xi River). The economic effect, similar to that which the coastal regions receive from the benefits of cheap transport routes, is possible in the border Siberian regions because of subsidizing land transportation by the Chinese authorities. At the same time, the development of cross-border transport infrastructure linking adjacent inland regions contributes to the intensification of trade and economic ties between them. Thus, Canada has developed communication between the provinces and the states, and in the future such an intra-continental belt of trade and economic activity may arise in the framework of the Northern course of the OROB.

The issue of territorial peripherality of particular regions is considered for the case of Siberian and the northern part of Russia. The peripherality is one of the basic spatio-temporal factors that negatively impacts on economic development, its innovativeness, territorial organization and, through it, on a socio-demographic situation of remote areas. This factor intensifies regional disparity which closely connected with some other geographical factors and may essentially reduce the investment efficiency in the state economy. The impact of the factor is assessed through modeling of connection of different socio-economic and demographic parameters. For the model calculation an indication function is applied. The function connects a generalized integral evaluation parameter of study object state (regional territory) with its individual integral parameters of state (socio-economic characteristics) through coefficients calculated by regression methods. Regional distances and transport accessibility, population life quality index and investment efficiency are chosen as generalized integral evaluation parameters. They reflect complex spatial, economic and social peripheral properties of the investigated area. For the analysis the geoinformation database for every region is created with necessary content of socio-economic statistic information for the period 2000-2015. Results of the research are mapped using GIS-methods. The calculation shows that in spite of the evident peripherality because of the geographical location and low level of transport-logistic infrastructure development there is an opportunity to reduce the factor effect for the regions. It might be reached by increasing of investment efficiency and improvement of population well-being and the life quality.

The article deals with territorial links of the expectancy of the forthcoming life on the aggregate of regions of the Russian Federation with 57 socio-economic phenomena. Phenomena belong to the 8 thematic groups. To identify the social characteristics of the regions of the Russian Federation, the variability of which is most closely related to the variability of life expectancy, the package of programs "Stochastic modeling" was used. It has been established that the life expectancy depends to the greatest extent on the prevalence of crimes against the person, certain infectious and parasitic diseases, abortions, on the level of knowledge of schoolchildren in mathematics and the Russian language, on the level of influence of traditional confessions, on the prevalence of worldview phenomena that are a deviation from traditional religiosity. Factors determining the lowered life expectancy in the Baikal region are identified. The Baikal region is characterized by an increased level of violent crime, an increased number of abortions, a lower level of knowledge of schoolchildren in mathematics and the Russian language, and a lower influence of traditional confessions. These characteristics are reliably combined on the aggregate of regions of the Russian Federation with a reduced life expectancy.

The village of Verkhnemarkovo is located in a remote oil region in the Irkutskaya Oblast in the Siberian part of the Russian Federation. Active socio-economic development of the village began with the discovery of an oil field near settlement in the middle of the 20th century. In the aftermath of the dissolution of the Soviet Union the once thriving oil village faced massive out migration and also decay of the once good transportation infrastructure. This article shows the changes of the provision of transport infrastructure and mobility practices in this village of around 2500 people. It raises the issue of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and that of the state for care and maintenance of roads in particular. The results highlight the state of the village and its inhabitants being in a limbo between the two main bodies who are expected to be responsible for facilitation of good transport infrastructure: the state and the companies operating in the region.

This article is devoted to the problems of spatial development of the suburban zone of the city of Irkutsk in post-Soviet realities. The paper presents some features of suburbanization in Russia, as well as geographic factors that influence the formation and development of the Irkutsk agglomeration, such as high dependence on the poly-highway; a special model of industrial development; Baikal factor. Particular attention is paid to the peculiarities of development in various directions and spatial differentiation of various types of suburbs. The reasons and consequences of such development are considered. A typology of the Irkutsk suburban area is presented based on the nature of the settlements with a brief description.

The activity of foreign and joint ventures in the Russian part of the economic corridor is analysed. The enterprises with foreign capital play an insignificant role in the economy of the border regions now in comparison with the developed Siberian territories. Most of the foreign enterprises are registered by individuals, which reduces the innovation potential of investment and contributes to the import of labor. The main donor countries are China and Cyprus. The prevalence of Chinese investors is noted especially in the Zabaikalsky kraj where they dominate in most types of activities. Mongolia is the closest neighbor of this zone but its investors are represented in Buryatia only. Investments in wholesale trade and construction prevail with high concentration of production in coal and metal ore extraction. Such an industry structure hampers the flow of new technologies and the growth of human capital. Prospects for the growth of foreign investment are connected with the expansion of resource extraction including forest resources and their primary processing for export as well as the development of transition activities in the area of the expected economic corridor. It requires a purposeful state and regional policy of attracting investment into technological areas of communications and transport.

The paper deals with the issue of advancing economic cooperation of Russia, China and Mongolia given the increasing number of political and business contacts among the parties in question in the last few years. A recent formal agreement on developing the China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor provides the framework for implementing potential joint projects in infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, and service sectors. However, there are also a number of challenges that the Russian authorities face, the most important of which is the relative underdevelopment of the eastern regions of Russia compared to north-eastern regions of China. Current economic relations between Russia and China cannot be considered mutually beneficial: Russia is mostly exporting raw and semi-final products and importing final goods including hi-tech products. The paper points out a few ways in which transboundary cooperation can be established while, at the same time, ensuring economic security of border regions.

Star hotels, as the core sector of China's tourism development, the improvement of their economic efficiency is an important way for the tourism industry to operate well. On the other hand, improving eco-efficiency can promote star hotels to take more responsibility for the ecological environment and promote the sustainable development of tourism industry. In this paper, the A Slacks-Based Measure model (SBM), as one kind of data envelopment analysis, is used to construct the economic efficiency and eco efficiency input-output system of Chinese star hotels according to the development characteristics of star hotels in China. By collecting the data in 2014 and using the energy balance sheet to calculate the carbon emission, we further calculate the economic efficiency and eco-efficiency level of the star hotels in 30 provinces in China's main land, and further analysis the input-output spatial pattern and development trend of the eco-economic system in China's star hotels through the Getis-Ord Gi index and coupling analysis. It is found that the economic efficiency and ecoefficiency of Chinese star hotels are consistent with their spatial distribution, and they have a significant linear positive correlation. The spatial distribution of the economic efficiency and eco-efficiency of Chinese star hotels is extremely uneven, and there is no spatial agglomeration. Moreover, the high efficiency area has no obvious positive impact on the periphery.

Strengthening tourism cooperation in border areas along the China–Mongolia–Russia Economic Corridor (CMREC) are important and challenging, under "Belt and Road" (B&R) initiative. Research has constructed a tourism competitiveness evaluation model including three dimensions and based on six factors: natural resources, cultural resources, tourism market, social economy, traffic facilities, and policy support. The results show the spatial characteristics of tourism competitiveness ordered as Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei of China, Northeast China, Northwest China, Russian Siberia Federal District, Mongolia, Russian Far East Federal District, and Russian Ural Federal District. Data show that the average tourism competitiveness of the three areas in Northern China are 2.69 times those of the three Russian areas, and 1.74 times those of Mongolia; at the same time, the average tourism competitiveness of Mongolia is 1.54 times that of the three areas of Russia. Based on the evaluation result, this study proposes a theoretical framework for a competition–cooperation model for tourism within the CMREC. Cluster analysis shows that the seven areas are comprise of absolutely dominant regions, comparatively dominant regions and comparatively weak regions. Tourism strategies are proposed in this study, based on the theoretical framework for a competition–cooperation model.