Ecological-Inventory Map Series for Kirovsk
(Murmansk Region)
Olga I.Kotova, Tatyana M.Krasovskaya, Mikhail A.Lubimtzev, Vladimir S.Tikunov, Alexander V.Yevseev
Geographical Faculty,
Moscow State University, 119899, Russia
Abstract
The main task is to compile series of electronic ecological-inventory maps for regional administration of a small northern industrial city for the sake of elaboration of plans for sustainable development.
Sustainable development of any inhabited region of the Earth is connected with rational nature management which is connected with proper land-use and nature conservation structure, pollution control and environmental monitoring etc. In this respect regional administrations need to start with inventory of their natural resources and land use, economy structure etc. This work is connected with special map series compiling. This is of vital importance for economically depressed regions with poor ecological situation which are met at the Russian North. Ecological-inventory electronic map series elaboration is the first step at their way to sustainable development . Such maps supply adequate renewable information for elaboration of regional plans for economy restructuring and nature management. A map series is being prepared nowadays for a small industrial city - Kirovsk , with a broad spectrum of economic and ecological problems typical for the Russian North. Kirovsk is situated in the Khibiny mountains region at the Subarctic of the Kola peninsula and belongs to Murmansk oblast (region).
Ecological-inventory map series includes original maps reflecting natural resources and land-use structure, including advanced alternative variants meeting sustainable development demands, different characteristics of ecological situation and nature conservation. The principle scale adopted is 1: 200 000 corresponding to regional GIS level.
Remote sensing, field investigation data as well as cartographic and published materials were used as information sources. Satellite images, scale 1:200 000, received in May, 1992 (MK-4 camera) were used as a base for map compilation. These images were transformed into a topographic projection of the same scale in a Microstation media. The following cartographic materials were used as well: topographic maps (scale 1:200 000) compiled in 1959-1969, administrative map of Murmansk oblast (scale 1:1000 000), Landcape (ecosystems) map of the Khibiny mountains (scale 1:50 000 ) prepared by V.Zuchkova and A,Myagkova, the Khibiny Tundras map, showing some land-use forms (scale 1:100 000) compiled by the State Center «Priroda», a map «Murmansk Region Environment Pollution Impact», prepared by the Kola Scientific Center and Moscow State University (scale 1: 1000 000), schemes of chemical composition of surface waters by M.Zaslavskaya and L.Yefimova , Environments pollution in Kirovsk and vicinities by A.Yevseev, T.Krasovskaya and N.Golubeva etc. We also used publications of the Mountain Alpine Botanical Garden, situated in Kirovsk, publications reflecting our field investigations as well as publications of V.V.Kruchkov the most important of which was «Nature Monuments of the Kola North», reference materials «Recreation Resources of Murmansk Region» and belonging to local administration .
Ecological-inventory series includes basic cartographic information (maps of natural and technogenic objects) and derivative maps which information is bind to basic (for example - a map of environment disturbances). Such maps is expedient to compile using maps of territorial natural or economic units, which include landscapes (ecosystems) and land-use objects. Use of one and the same grid of territorial units, reflecting geographical patterns of various phenomena distribution, enables to combine different geographical information easily and promotes its exchange among separate GIS layers. At the same time there is a possibility of analytical maps broad use as well.
The following maps are included into the series:
(recreation, wind energy use etc.)
Landscapes (ecosystems) and land-use maps comprise the basis. The other maps will be in agreement with them either regarding contents or in graphical aspects.
Photomaps elaboration alongside with traditional cartographic forms has good prospects. Such maps combine cartographic and remote sensing images, as well as creation of three-dimension territorial models, which enable to receive a clear view of different phenomena distribution and manipulate with different objects solving management and planning problems.
Compiling of ecological-inventory maps series was done using a specially produced software which gives an opportunity to fulfill the following tasks:
Scanning of cartographic and remote sensing initial materials was done with the help of table scanner HP ScanJet - 3L, in the media of Corel Photo Paint software, 600 Dpi, TIFF format. In order to receive optimal image of remote sensing data necessary for thematic interpretation Adobe Photo Shop software was used.
Remote sensing data transformation into topographic map projection (scale 1:200 000) was done with the help of MicroStation software due to clearly seen marks using instruments of a block controlling Reference-files (fig.1).
A special legend for vectorizing of raster objects with the help of MicroStation software was elaborated. Automated classificator with Place LineString function was used. Both raster and vector maps mentioned above were used at this stage. Data loading was done with the help of Attach Design (Raster) Reference File. Provec A4 Studio automated vector maker was used for some fragments of binary raster images vectorizing .
Fig.1
Reference-files control block window.4. Standard MicroStation software was used for edition, polygon êîìïëåêñèðîâàíèå, semantic information introduction, objects measurements, design works.
The work was done at the base of IBM PC with 166MMX Pentium processor, 32 Mb, harddisk -4Gb, CD-ROM, 17 inch monitor, 1024 x 768 pixels videocard.
Ecological-inventory map series together with specially designed data base will form GIS for improvement regional planning purposes and improvement of nature management. New data may be easily added into it and reflected at maps included. Thus temporal series of some phenomenon development ( for example -pollution, the Red Book species abundance etc.) may be received. They are necessary for monitoring and standardization purposes. There is a possibility to compile synthetic and forecast maps. For example it may include a map for developing of recreation activities based on landscape (ecosystems) , land-use , pollution and nature conservation maps or a map of potential technogenic environmental risk assessment based on pollution loads, surface water quality and mechanical environmental disturbances maps.
Both electronic and traditional forms of maps presentation is planned which enlarges the number of possible users.
Acknowledgments
This work is done within the frames of Research Support Scheme grant (RSS No.: 795/1997).