Stability Assessment of Insular Geosystems of the Empress Eugenie Archipelago (Peter the Great Gulf, Sea of Japan)

A landscape stability assessment is made for the major islands of the Empress Eugenie Archipelago. The landscapes are ranked according to groups of stability on the basis of an integrated numerical score for 17 indicators. It was found that the islands are dominated by landscapes of moderate stability, and by unstable landscapes. The islands are characterized by a significant differentiation with respect to the areas of landscapes belonging in different groups of stability. This is due to the individual features in the landscape organization of the insular geosystems, and to the degree of their economic transformation. Results of cartographic and correlation analyses showed that a considerable contribution to the integrated indicator of landscape stability is made by the geomorphological structure of the territory, and by vegetation cover. However, correlation analysis did not reveal any unambiguous relationship with the other landscape components. This is accounted for by the natural factor (low-mountain relief) and a severe anthropogenic transformation of vegetation, leading to an attenuation of the relationship of the structure of vegetation cover with the other landscape components. A statistical investigation using principal component analysis (PCA) showed the role of the landscape components in the formation of the integrated indicator of stability of insular geosystems. The largest load is experienced by the geomorphological structure, followed by soil and vegetation cover. An individual analysis of island landscape stability by PCA revealed a variation in the loads on the indicators of landscape stability in principal components, which is due to the rate and direction of response of the insular geosystems on homogeneous factors. It is concluded that each insular geosystem has individual characteristics of the formation of an integral landscape matter-energy system, with an inherent set of self-regulation and selforganization mechanisms which arise in accordance with the area of land, physical-geographical conditions and the degree of anthropogenic pressure. Planning of a further development of the insular territories should take into consideration the individual characteristics of the functioning of landscapes and the role of their components in the formation of the integrated stability indicator.