INTERDISCIPLINARY ANALYSIS OFCLIMATE-FORCED LANDSCAPE CHANGES IN THE HIGHLANDS OF ALTAI: NATURAL SCIENTIFIC AND SOCIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

Abstract

Mountain territories are the object of close attention of scientists due to the ongoing changes in the cryosphere. Altai is one of the world centers of glaciation, where climatic changes occur most intensively. The article presents the results of an interdisciplinary geographical and sociological study of climatic changes in the highlands of the Altai Republic, conducted in 2022 by scientists from Altai State University and St. Petersburg State University. On the basis of geological-landscape study on the reconstruction and cataloging of glaciers of the Little Ice Age and the forecast of dangerous exogenous processes, landscape changes and socio-economic parameters, settlements for sociological surveys were selected (six settlements of Kosh-Agach and Ulagan districts, n = 347). The research showed that glaciers of the North Chuysky Ridge have lost 61% of their area since the Little Ice Age, with 7% of the area reduced in the last 20 years. There have been qualitative changes in glacier melting - currently, large glaciers are experiencing the greatest degradation. The population of high-mountainous areas perceive climate change as significant, affecting their daily and economic life. Living near changing glaciers is associated with difficulties and additional costs for agriculture, destruction of communication and engineering infrastructure. Meanwhile, the climate agenda is not overly actualized, the population of high-mountainous areas demonstrates a high potential for adaptation, including due to traditional knowledge of nature management and living in harsh climates.