Modern Transformations of Geosystems of the Western Macroslope of the Barguzin Ridge

Abstract

Forest fires are one of the most important environmental factors affecting the environment. Due to climate change and the increasing frequency of forest fires, studies of the consequences of forest fires and the processes of restoration of disturbed geosystems are relevant. Over the past 20 years, there has been an increase in the frequency of fires on the territory of the Republic of Buryatia as a whole, and the western macro slope of the Barguzin ridge in particular. The situation is aggravated by the fact that a significant part of the fires occur in hardto- reach areas of the ridge, which complicates their elimination. The paper presents the results of observations (2015-2020 years) on the impact of forest fires on the taiga geosystems of the western macroslope of the Barguzin ridge. The features of post-fire restoration of geosystems are considered. The natural restoration of forests depends on the nature of the forest growing conditions and the ecological characteristics of the stands. Restoration of dark coniferous-taiga geosystems, including relict ones, after intense fires has not been revealed, since forest growing conditions are changing. The relevance of the research is also related to the fact that the western macroslope of the Barguzin Ridge is located within the Baikal Natural Territory (BPT), where protected areas are located and it is not uncommon for fires to disrupt relict geosystems that are under protection.