Assessment of socio-ecological-economic processes taking into account the territorial specifics (the case of the mountain region)

The authors study the current problems of formalizing the mechanisms of nature management. A key issue is the development of the system of sustainable development indicators. This problem is recognized as relevant both internationally and nationally. The special attention is paid to the problem of taking into account the territorial specifics in the formalization of mechanisms for environmental and economic regulation. The indicators of sustainable development should, on the one hand, be comparable for different territories (but close in nature and climatic characteristics), and on the other hand, take into account the territorial specifics. Among the elements of the formalization of mechanisms for environmental and economic regulation, the authors identify the economic capacity of the territory and the “feedback” effect between the natural complexes and the socio-economic system of the territory. The effect of this feedback is suggested by the authors to be called ‘ecosystem reflection’. Ecosystemic reflection characterizes a complex of negative (depressing) and positive (stimulating) effects, manifested in the mechanism and socio-economic parameters of the ecosystem response to anthropogenic impact. The authors’ research is based on historical experience, both large-scale precedents and local manifestations of ecosystem reflection. As a large-scale example, the authors give an analysis of the socio-economic consequences of plowing steppe ecosystems (High Plains, USA). The results of this analysis show the mechanisms of ecosystem reflection and the characteristics of the economic capacity of the territory. As a local example, the authors give an analysis of changes in the high-mountain ecosystem (Kosh-Agachsky District, Altai Republic, Russia). These changes were caused by deforestation. As a result of anthropogenic impact, the natural and climatic conditions have changed. This led, respectively, to changes in the system and nature of environmental management. The authors propose a set of indicators for sustainable development as a tool for environmental and economic regulation. The authors use elements of matrix analysis to formalize separate mechanisms for regulating environmental and economic activity in the studied area.