The experience of GIS application for estimation of ecological-geomorphological conditions of specially protected natural areas of Onega Lake region (within the Vologda Region)
The assessment of ecological-geomorphological conditions of Verkhneandomsky (on the Upper Andoma river), “Atleka” and Andomskaya Gora (Andoma Mountain) protected areas was performed by Moscow State University and Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography researchers during 2002–2017. The aim of the study was to evaluate conditions for the development of exogenous relief-forming processes under the influence of natural factors using geoinformation systems (GIS). Topographic maps (scale 1:100 000) were vectorized and transformed to the uniform coordinate reference system (Gauss-Krueger projection, Pulkovo-42 datum). The GIS allows carrying out the ecological-geomorphological analysis of exogenous relief-forming processes of specially protected natural areas (PAs), relying on the grouped materials in the database, adding the parameters of the “erosion layer” and conducting their subsequent processing. Spatial analysis in GIS environment made it possible to identify similarities in karst processes and the difference in their intensity, expressed in the thickness and spatial distribution of the “erosion stratum” of the landscape reserves of the Verkhneandomsky and “Atleka”, which is defined by the relief of the karst-glacial-lake basin and the “karst” plateau, respectively. On the Andomskaya Gora natural monument, the suffusion-karst process and ravine dominate, which is caused by lithology (sand and sandstones) of rocks and significant relative height of the coastal ledge. Topographic, geological, geomorphological, and thematic information, as well as the boundaries and unique characteristics of the protected areas, allowed us to compile a series of derived maps reflecting the purpose of the research.