The natural territorial structure of the landscape of the Prut River within the Chernivtsi region, its anthropogenic transformations and features of the functioning of the flow-riverbed-flood system

Abstract

The purpose of this publication is to reveal the main regularities of the territorial structure and hydromorphological features of the young river landscape using the example of the Prut River in natural conditions and under the influence of anthropogenic activity. To achieve the goal, a three-level taxonomic system of the territorial organization of river valley landscapes and the corresponding method of identification of territorial units were applied. The main operational unit of the study is the homogeneous sections of the riverbed and floodplains and the young river landscape formed on their basis. Various methods of analyzing anthropogenic impact on the functioning of the flow-channel-floodplain system (FCFS) have also been applied. The specificity of the development and territorial structure of the young river landscape in natural conditions is significantly related to the combination of the features of the river regime and the complex system of neotectonic movements.

Based on the obtained database on the natural state of the young river landscape (YRL) and its anthropogenic changes, an assessment of the current state of the young river landscape was carried out. An analysis of the negative consequences of anthropogenic cutting of rivers, which affects the state of the young river landscape and river ecosystems, and requires objective periodic monitoring of its state, was also performed.

The natural state of the young river landscape formed based on the riverbed and floodplain has been significantly affected by human activity. The main anthropogenic factors include the influence of engineering structures and the extraction of channel alluvium.

The joint action of these factors led to significant changes in the riverbed and floodplain process, powerful anthropogenic downcutting of the river, compression of the long-term strip of channel formation and a number of negative consequences concerning both ecosystems and the anthropogenic landscape in general.

We have developed the appropriate methodology and taxonomic system for the identification of the HARF, the young river landscape (YRL), which includes a geospatial analysis of the territorial structure of river valleys. First of all, sufficiently developed, main components of river-valley systems – «stem valleys» – are considered. It is worth noting that geomorphological and hydromorphological processes are important for explaining the genesis and identification, as well as geospatial analysis of river valley landscapes.

The main factors of anthropogenic load on the hydromorphological base of the MRL include engineering influence and river alluvium extraction. The main types of engineering impact are coastal protection, flood dams and bridge crossings. The action of the mentioned factors has a cumulative effect and gradually led to the downcutting of the river, the narrowing of the long-term strip of channel formation, changes in channel and floodplain processes, and changes in the spatial structure of the river landscape. Thus, hydromorphological processes can significantly affect the state and functioning of the YRL in general, as well as negatively affect engineering structures and hydro-ecological risks in particular.