Assessment map of the impact of erosion-channel systems on the infrastructure of settlements

A map reflecting the influence of erosion-channel processes on the infrastructure of settlements for Volga, Oka, Don and Dnieper rivers basins (within the Russian Federation) has been compiled. The physical-geographic map of Russia, scale of 1: 8000000, served as the basis for compiling the map. It shows settlements from large cities to urban-type settlements with population of more than 10 thousand people. In total, 120 settlements are displayed on the created map; 84 in the Volga river basin; 13 in the Don river basin, 24 in the Dnieper river basin (within the Russian Federation). According to the developed methodology, each settlement was assigned a score reflecting the influence of erosion and channel processes on the infrastructure. The most common are values of 1 and 2 points, 45% and 29.5% of all the settlements, respectively. Values of 3 points were assigned to 28 settlements (23%) and only three settlements (2.5%) are very dependent on erosion and channel processes. The infrastructure is an anthropogenic feature and mostly depends on the historic development of the settlement, however, it is adjusted to the natural conditions of the location. Infrastructures the least dependent on erosional forms and channel processes (scores 1 and 2) correspond to the territories located within the lowlands and relics of glacial relief. Settlements on the Central Russian and Volga Uplands with scores of 3–5 points to a large extent depend on ravine erosion. Channel processes have less impact on infrastructure with the exception of settlements within the Oka river basin. Here the influence of channel processes is the greatest. The results of the study showed that the impact of erosion and channel processes on the infrastructure of settlements is ambiguous. Infrastructure of large cities is less dependent, while the small and medium-sized settlements are largely dependent on erosion-channel processes.

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