We revealed the regional features of the functioning of the erosion-channel systems of the Angara, Upper Lena, Selenga, and Upper Amur basins in the south of Eastern Siberia and examined the action of sloping non-channel, temporary, and permanent channel water flows, and presented the patterns of the spatial distribution of soil and gully erosion belts. The development conditions and factors of fluvial processes are considered and the role of cryogenic processes in the increasing activity of water flows is emphasized. The interdecadal dynamic cycles of the erosion-accumulative processes are revealed. A quantitative assessment of soil loss from erosion on agricultural land in the forest-steppe basins was carried out. We made an assessment of the plane deformation of the upper course of the Lena river (Siberian platform) and Irkut (Baikal rift zone and the Irkutsk-Cheremkhovo plain) using cartographic sources of different times, aerial photographs, and satellite imagery. The contribution of extreme fluvial events to sediment redistribution in river basins is shown. Particular attention is paid to the mudflow impact, floods, and channel deformations on the ecological state of the basin systems.

We revealed regional features of functioning of a large Transbaikalian aeolian morphodynamic system. Natural pre-conditions, current realities and factors of development of aeolian processes are investigated. The paper considers regularities of spatial distribution of deflation, transit, and aeolian accumulation zones. Main directions of aeolian migration of matter are determined. Pulsating nature of aeolian processes development in Holocene has been established. Identified are intrasecular cycles and Holocene dynamics of aeolian processes. We identified intrasecular (11, 27–35 years old), secular (80 year old) and Holocene (500, 2000 year old) cycles of aeolian process dynamics. The paper shows the influence of anthropogenic activity on the activation of aeolian migration of material for the historical period. It presents an overview of extreme aeolian events. Regionalization of Transbaikalia was carried out according to the degree of probable desertification of the territory due to development of aeolian processes. Areas of catastrophic manifestation of processes are highlighted. The results of long-term experimental observations of deflation and aeolian accumulation are presented. Particular attention is paid to the characteristics of the aeolian corridors. The important role of aeolian processes in the intensive material transport from Transbaikalia to the south and southeast to neighboring regions of Mongolia and China is shown.

Territorial distribution of agricultural land erosion of in Siberia is considered. We determine different degradation processes mechanisms from west to east. In the Western Siberia meltwater erosion dominates. In the Middle Siberia soil erosion is caused by meltwater and rainstorm runoff, and in the Eastern Siberia by rainstorm discharge. Agricultural lands in mountains located in inter-mountain basins where concentric zoning of changes in mechanisms and rates of land degradation were analyzed. Predictive estimation of soil loss is carried out. We developed maps of erosion-hazard for agricultural lands. Detailed mapping of soil erosion rates in model basins has been carried out. Obtained are the trends and tendencies of soil erosion development in Siberia and the quantitative indicators of potential soil losses from erosion and deflation. Special attention is paid to soil degradation in the Lake Baikal basin. Positive trend of dust storms in the south part of Eastern Siberia at present day indicate aeolian processes increase under climate warming. In future, desertification of steppe landscapes will continue. The probability of desertification of southern Siberia, caused by the development of soil erosion, is determined. Regional models of soil conservation are presented