Anthropogenic transformation of the valleys of small rivers of the Chuvash Republic

Abstract

The object of the study is the valleys of small rivers of the Chuvash Republic. The type of economic use, the degree of anthropogenic contamination, modern slope processes are analyzed. The need for research is justified by the deterioration of the ecological state of the landscapes of river valleys, water quality in the watercourses of the Chuvash Republic. In order to collect factual material on the current state of the landscapes of river valleys, expeditions were conducted to the rivers Tsivil, Kubnya, Kirya. Lyulya. The choice of the selected key objects is explained by the fact that they are typical for the physical and geographical regions of the region: the Kubnya River - the Southeastern and Zasursky districts; the Lyulya and Kirya rivers - the Prisursky and Zavolzhsky districts; the Tsivil River – the Volga and Central districts. The data obtained were interpreted for the entire territory of the Chuvash Republic. The analysis of the collected material made it possible to conduct zoning of the region according to the ecological state of river valleys. Four districts were identified: Volga, Central, Forest, Steppe. These areas differ in the degree and types of economic development. The valleys of the Volga region are industrial and agricultural territories, intensively developed. The valleys of the Central District are experiencing an average anthropogenic load from industrial enterprises and irrational agriculture. The valleys of the Forest zone are distinguished by the preservation of natural landscapes and the absence of negative slope processes. The river valleys of the Steppe region are experiencing critical indicators of agricultural development: plowing up to 90% of agricultural land, the absence of natural steppe landscapes. Individual recommendations were developed for each district to improve the ecological state of river valley landscapes and prevent the development of negative processes and emergencies.