Degree of the transformation of estuarine areas of the lake Baikal tributaries

The article presents the results of comprehensive research of the estuarine zones and coasts of Lake Baikal carried out in 2016-2018. We assessed the transformation of the main components of landscapes on key sites (the mouth of the Sarma, Goloustnaya, Kika and Barguzin rivers). The potential stability of the main components of landscape under possible anthropogenic loads is determined. It has been established that soil and vegetation pollution of the studied estuarial areas is primarily associated with river water pollution and an increased content of chemical elements in soil-forming rocks. The article provides information on ecological condition of estuarial areas of tributaries in the form of integrated indicators. The unsuccessful ecological condition of landscapes in the mouth of the Barguzin River is revealed. Moderately disturbed condition of the estuarial areas is observed on the Sarma and Goloustnaya rivers, weakly disturbed - in the mouth of the Kika River. However, it has been revealed that landscapes of the mouth of the Kika River are potentially low resistible against anthropogenic influence, and with a slight increase in anthropogenic load the significant changes in landscapes are possible.