061. Susceptibility to external input map
Susceptibility to external input map
Landscape sensitivity to external effects
The map of landscape sensitivity characterizes common respond of landscapes to external effects including the anthropogenic impact. Landscape sensitivity is defined by “self-regulation” [Sochava, 2005] – an ability to retain the structure of landscapes within the certain boundaries for a certain period of time.
Landscape sensitivity in the Baikal basin is strongly interdependent on landscape types. “Integral intensity of functioning … and productivity of landscapes” [Isachenko, 1990] are indicators of sensitivity. Sensitivity correlates with heat and moisture supply of landscapes “according to the optimality principle”, as well as with plant biological productivity “according to the maximum principle: the more the better” [Sochava, 2005].
Sensitivity increases as the deviation of heat and moisture ratio from the ecological optimum rises. Landscapes with optimal combinations of heat and moisture supply and with high biological productivity are less sensitive to anthropogenic pressure. The most sensitive landscapes are with low and very low biological productivity, which develop under extreme conditions.
The sensitivity in the map legend is characterised by relative estimating categories such as “very high”, “high”, “moderate”, “low”, and “very low”.
