Study of Lake Bele and Lake Itkul landscapes as recreational load estimation
In the article the results of landscape researches on the territory of two clusters of reserve Khakass are considered (Lake Bele and Lake Itkul). The uniqueness and originality of the Shira steppe landscapes are designated. This article contains a complex of physical and geographical characteristics of the territory, which includes the protected areas studies: the geological structure, the history of the natural conditions of the northern part of Minusinsk deflection and lake hollows, geomorphology of the area, the climatic conditions of landscape formation, features of soil cover and vegetation are described. The morphological structure of landscapes, types of areas and kinds of natural boundaries are characterized, their mapping is made. In the eastern part of Lake Bele four types of areas including 17 kinds of natural boundaries are allocated. In Lake Itkul vicinities four types of areas including 23 kinds of natural boundaries are defined. The characteristic signs and features of landscapes of both clusters, and also similarity and distinction in landscape structure of clusters Lake Bele and Lake Itkul are allocated. The comparative study of the recreationally-disturbed landscapes and protected areas is conducted. The main role of steepness and exposition of slopes, humidifying mode in space differentiation of the investigated steppe landscapes is defined. The generalised results of researches of landscapes are given; general recommendations on preservation of the reserved territories in the conditions of the increasing recreational load in the adjoining territories are made. Most often the recreational load is unapproved dumps of household garbage on the territories adjoining to the reserved clusters, infringement of integrity of the vegetative cover and pauperisation of the floristic variety, distribution of commensal kinds of animals, structural change of the soil profile on spontaneously arisen beaches. The dynamics of recreational loads for the non-reserved south-eastern coast of Lake Bele during 2006-2011 is shown. In 2009 the recreational load had the maximum indicators and since then tendencies to its decrease are observed. The paper substantiates the need to maintain the reserve status of the coastal and aquatic areas of Lakes Itkul and Bele. There is also a need to create a geographically and economically organized recreational area on the shores of lakes in order to reduce the harm caused to the surrounding nature reserve by unorganized seasonal summer tent parking and spontaneously arising beaches. The authors recommend using methods of landscape planning and ecological monitoring to create organized recreational areas.