Depletion of the floodplain-channel complex of the river (Belaya river, Republic of Bashkortostan)

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive assessment of the geoecological risk of the Belaya River floodplain (Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia). The risk assessment of the floodplain-channel complex includes the risk of depletion by the plant species composition and the risk of depletion of the ecological and hydrological states. Geographic information maps of the floodplain were compiled for vegetation and floodplain forests and wetlands. The extent of forest cover was chosen as an indicator of the floodplain’s resilience to the risk of depletion and decline. The calculation of the risk of depletion of floodplains based on the ecological and hydrological state was carried out taking into account the changes in floodplain areas over the past 10 years, data on the catchment of ground and surface waters, “sealed” areas and the annual average discharge. The assessment and zoning of the river floodplain territory was carried out according to the proposed method.