Urban agglomerations play a key role in the settlement system of Russia and the socioeconomic development of its territories. Currently, they continue to pull the population into the areas of their influence and they are also the locomotives of economic growth and points of innovation. Urban agglomerations need a detailed and comprehensive study of the processes associated with the population—demographic, migration, ethnic, settlement, forming the living environment. The most effective tools for this are based in GIS systems, and the most optimal embodiment is an atlas developed on their basis as a complex of cartographic and analytical materials. The Atlas of Urban agglomerations of Russia is a geoinformation product with AIS elements, developed on the basis of approaches used in geographical studies of population settlement. This article describes the concept of GIS, on the basis of which the Atlas of Urban agglomerations of Russia is being developed and includes setting the goals and objectives of research on the development of the Atlas, choosing technologies for creating a geoinformation system, determining the structure of GIS and Atlas, determining the main sources of information. The Atlas of Urban Agglomerations of Russia is not only a set of cartographic works but also a system that allows (based on statistical data) realize spatial modeling, thematic mapping and creating visual plots at various spatial levels, including for strategic and territorial planning and management decision-making. Several meaningful plots are described, which were obtained at this stage of the study, for example, the stages of the spatial and temporal dynamics of the network of urban agglomerations in Russia, the general characteristics of demographic and migration processes, the structure of the Stavropol urban agglomeration.

Systematic studies of the western (Okhotsk-Korean) population of the Gray Whale, listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, have been carried out since 1997. Since the early 2000s, these studies have been of a monitoring nature and are carried out by a group of oil producing companies active on the Sakhalin shelf. To date, a large amount of information has been accumulated relating to various aspects of the life of the gray whale. Estimates of the population size of the gray whale were obtained, its size and sex composition was studied, as well as the feeding and migratory behavior of these animals off the coast of Sakhalin. Previously, we analyzed monitoring materials relating to 2001–2012. The work done was aimed at assessing the spatial contingency in the dynamics of the distribution of gray whales and their food items. A GIS project was created, with the help of which approaches to assessing the spatial correspondence of elements of the whales-benthos system were tested and implemented. The analysis showed that the most attractive for whales are vast fields lying at shallow depths with a high, relatively evenly distributed amphipod biomass. The whale feeding area is adjacent to areas where oil production platforms and elements of the hydrocarbon transport system are installed. The activities of engineering systems can have a negative impact on animals, disorient them, scare them away, disrupt communications and even lead to physical damage. Continuous acoustic monitoring data was included in a previously created GIS to assess the impact of industrial noise on whale behavior. The results obtained do not allow us to consider acoustic impact as a significant factor influencing the spatial distribution of the feeding gray whale population in the Piltun area.

Currently, geoinformation systems using Earth remote sensing data from space have taken strong positions in the field of economics, politics, and, practically, all spheres of human activity. As a consequence of human activity in urbanized areas, this is the emergence and further spread of unauthorized landfills and industrial waste. The littering of the planet is becoming an increasingly serious problem that we face in the modern world. Plastic waste, air and water pollution, improper waste disposal—all this damages the environment and can have long-term consequences for the planet and life on it. A variety of human diseases, such as chronic lung diseases, malignant tumors, and oncological diseases is directly related to atmospheric pollution, namely the gas component—landfill gas. In order to intervene in time and stop the spread of infection and changes in the soil composition of territories, etc., it is necessary to have a global automatic monitoring system for landfills and industrial waste. The purpose of the work is to design a model of a global automatic monitoring system for waste disposal facilities, including industrial ones, using Earth remote sensing technologies from space. Scientific novelty: a model of a global automatic space monitoring system for the processes of littering of the planet Earth is proposed. A general methodology is given for constructing a geoinformation model that monitors territories for the presence of waste disposal facilities. The analysis of modern prospects in the creation and operation of such automatic geoinformation systems using certain knowledge in the field of ultra-large, distributed and open data archives, as well as modern methods for improving color images, is presented.

The article considers natural-historical landscapes as valuable objects combining natural and cultural elements, which are located in a certain area. They reflect the interaction between human activity and the natural environment that has occurred over a long period of time. These landscapes may include: archaeological sites, various settlements, architectural monuments, small architectural forms, ancient parks and gardens, as well as natural components (e.g.: water bodies, landscapes). Natural-historical landscapes create a unique system, reflecting the history and culture of the territory and the population living there. The importance of their conservation, reconstruction and protection for historical and cultural heritage, tourism, education and research is emphasized. The authors propose an integrated approach to the study and conservation of landscapes and other natural and cultural sites, including legislation, education, research and the use of innovative methods such as digital twins. Various examples of preservation and study of natural and historical landscapes in the Kaliningrad region are presented. A prototype of the digital twin is built, on which the prognostic scenario of the territory development is modeled, taking into account the coastal protection measures and the development of tourist attractiveness of the area. The need to use modern technologies and innovations (borrowed from other industries) to better manage and protect natural resources and to raise public awareness of the importance of preserving natural heritage is emphasized. The digital twin is effective and most indicative for management decisions in natural resources management and for implementation by scientists in geo-ecological research.

Modeling and presentation of objects’ and phenomena dynamics in geographic space is one of the tasks in cartography. Currently, due to the active society digitalization and scientific and technological progress, many different tools, technologies and opportunities have appeared that can be used for creating maps that would reflect dynamics of processes occurred in the mapped territory. Multimedia cartography and, in particular, animation cartography is relatively new direction in cartography developed based on such new technologies. The animation cartography considers general characteristics, concepts, principles, technological schemes for creating, designing and presenting animated maps. Currently, most of the animated maps require using a variety of specialized software, like geographic information systems (GIS), vector and raster graphic editors, video effects editing software, etc. Consequently, it is important to study functionality of the popular desktop GIS applications in view of the implementation of a full cycle of animated maps preparation, without parallel or subsequent use of any additional software. Within the framework of our study, we have solved a number of tasks, including generalizing the theoretical and methodological foundations and identifying the main types of cartographic animations; analyzing existing methods for cartographic animating of objects; analyzing the functionality of the QGIS application ensuring creation of cartographic animations of objects. As a result of the study, methods and their algorithm implementations have been developed to create cartographic animations of objects in the QGIS environment; descriptions of the developed algorithms in UML (Unified Modeling Language) have been prepared; and the role of the developed methods in the knowledge system of cartography and geoinformatics has been analyzed and determined.

The article is dedicated to the development of an educational local history atlas for the East Kazakhstan Region (within the borders of 1997–2022), aimed at integrating local history knowledge into the educational process. Local history is an important interdisciplinary field that plays a special role in forming a comprehensive understanding of the native region among students. The methodological basis for developing the atlas is the classic principles of atlas cartography. The stages of creating the atlas include: analysis of educational standards and programs, determination of the atlas structure, collection and analysis of materials, development of the atlas content, design, testing and review, printing, and distribution of the atlas. The materials of the developed atlas cover various geographical information about the region, including geological structure, climatic conditions, hydrography, features of the plant and animal world, natural zoning, as well as economic development and the population of the region. The collected data are adapted to the comprehension level of middle school students, ensuring the accessibility and clarity of the material. As an example, the work details the technology of compiling climatological maps. Special attention is given to the formulation of questions and tasks related to the maps. The research results show that the educational local history atlas contributes to deepening students’ knowledge about the East Kazakhstan Region. The atlas includes physical-geographical and socio-economic maps, as well as textual information that allows students to better understand their surrounding environment. An important result is the development of critical thinking and information analysis skills among students, thanks to the tasks and questions included in the atlas. The article demonstrates that creating an educational local history atlas is a complex and multifaceted process, requiring the consideration of modern educational approaches and technologies, as well as compliance with educational standards and programs. The research results highlight the significance of such an atlas in the educational process, contributing to the development of students’ cultural and analytical competencies. The final stage of the work on the atlas includes its reproduction and distribution among the schools of the East Kazakhstan Region, as well as considering the possibility of digital dissemination for use in lessons and extracurricular activities.

The purpose of the article is to map the landscapes of the protected area of the South Kamchatka Natural Park (in the future—the National Park), which is part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage cluster site “Volcanoes of Kamchatka”. This area is characterized by poor exploration, especially in landscape terms, which makes it extremely relevant to work on mapping landscapes in such heterogeneous geological, geomorphological and climatic conditions. As a basis for mapping landscapes, the following were used: the results of geological surveys of different years, a landscape map of the USSR (ed. by A.G. Isachenko), a digital relief model ArcticDEM (32 m), author’s materials collected in different parts of the park during the summer field studies of 2021 and 2022, as well as formed for the entire protected area multi-temporal (summer and autumn over different years) low- and cloudless mosaics of multi-zone satellite images of Landsat (30 m) and Sentinel-2 (10 m), which have become the main source of information about vegetation. The result is a map that is essentially a conceptual zoning scheme. The landscape basis in cartographic form was developed for the first time for this territory. According to the results of the work carried out, the territory of the park is geologically and geographically differentiated into 3 hierarchical levels. Based on the analysis of morphostructural features within the park, two regions are identified at the first level: “1”—eastern, including territories without signs of modern volcanism (coastal ridges and low-lying plains) and “2”—western, represented by territories where volcanic accumulation processes are developing (active volcanic apparatuses, lava plateaus and volcanic plains). Further, the regions are divided into districts representing specific types of landforms, identified based on the similarity of the processes that formed their appearance. Whereas the districts, in turn, are differentiated into provinces, the allocation of which took into account the typical and most widespread plant communities. The results obtained in the form of their physical and geographical analysis and cartographic display reveal the basic principles of the natural landscape organization of the park territory, which are the basis for planning ecological, tourist, environmental protection and research activities within its boundaries.

Modern remote sensing technologies offer a range of solutions for creating various types of architectural heritage objects measurement models. Image processing algorithms allow not only to digitally recreate existing buildings, but also to make virtual reconstruction of partially destroyed architectural heritage. Photogrammetry is a relatively inexpensive and practically universal method for modelling architectural objects and creating their measurement drawings. The appearance of unmanned aerial vehicles with digital cameras on board in the photogrammetrist’s arsenal has greatly facilitated the process of photographing hard-to-reach, and even more valuable architectural objects. Nevertheless, in order to obtain the desired result, individual techniques, both for imaging and digital reconstruction, must be selected for each object. The study presents the work results on two partially destroyed architectural heritage. A complex survey of the interior and exterior was carried out to digitally reconstruct the lost elements and to create dimensional models. The first architectural object, the ruins of the 17th century Adu-Surkho castle, is located in the Chechen Republic. Its modelling was based on images obtained only from the UAV, and the reconstruction of lost parts was based on analogy with existing examples of historical buildings. The second object, the 18th century Stroganovs’ salt barn, is the oldest brick structure of Tutaev (Romanovskaya side). The modern state model was built based on the results of ground and aerial survey, and the reconstruction of the lost elements based on a set of multi-temporal images and drawings of the XVIII century. The results of the digital reconstruction will be used for restoration projects to restore the original appearance of the structures and increase the significance of these objects in the cultural and tourist activities of the regions.

The paper presents the results of studying the soil loss due to water erosion in an agricultural field located on the arable slope of the southern exposure at an experimental area located in the territory of the Oryol district of the Oryol Region (in the upper Oka basin). The research is based on the author’s in situ data. The use of a very high resolution satellite imagery, a digital elevation model (DEM), which was used to calculate morphometric relief indicators (catchment area and profile curvature), a large amount of data of the integrally selected soil samples in a 0–25 cm layer (more than 500), gamma-spectrometric and agrochemical analysis of soil samples together allowed us to develop a system of dependencies for 11 estimated zones. The catchment area and profile curvature were used as predictors. The zones differ in the degree of dissection of the surface by the hollow complex and by the slopes of the surface. For the watershed surface, an estimated zone is proposed that bounds the area of 500 m2 catchment area values. Caesium-137 acts as a marker of the degree of soil runoff. The high variability of caesium-137 in the experimental area is due, among other things, to the presence of pile-collapse furrows on the sloping surface. A gridded map of the soil runoff intensity compiled according to the developed equations shows that the soil loss intensity due to water erosion varies from 5 to 20 t/ha per year. Within 11 estimated zones, there is a difference in the areas of high-intensity soil runoff plots (20 t/ha per year and more). The regional methodology proposed in the article for soil losses assessment using caesium-137 radionuclide and morphometric topography indicators requires verification by an independent method.

This paper is devoted to the assessment of the dynamics of the vegetation cover areas of the park parts of the Pokrovskoye-Streshnevo, Voikovsky and Shchukino districts (SPNA: Pokrovskoye-Streshnevo natural and historical park and the natural monuments Vsekhsvyatskaya grove, Shchukinsky park and adjacent squares that were a single whole with it in the past and are currently cut by Volokolamsk highway). Administratively, the districts belong to the North-West and North Administrative Districts of Moscow. The paper solves the problems of assessing the suitability of cartographic materials (topographic maps of different periods) for such assessments. The earliest date of compilation of a map technically suitable for assessment is recognized as 1940, i.e. an assessment of the vegetation cover dynamics was made for 84 years. Five times layers were selected: 1940, 1952, 1968, 1996 and 2024 with high-quality topographic data. For automated assessment, it was necessary to adjust the projections of topographic maps to the projection of a single base of the modern map, which was done by selecting control points and transforming the bases of past years. Cartographic problems that hinder the achievement of the set goal were identified: the disparity of conventional symbols of different time periods, in particular, different road widths, the use of off-scale topographic conventional symbols, strong distortions of the surface in some areas of the selected territory. Using the QGIS system, the maps were brought to a single base and the areas of green spaces were calculated, which amounted to 3.114 km2 in 1940, 2.748 km2 in 1952, 2.538 km2 in 1968, 2.125 km2 in 1996, and 2.601 km2 in 2024. Thus, the green areas in the selected area have decreased by 0.513 km2 (1.2 times or 16 %) over 84 years, which can be considered the inevitability of the development of a megalopolis. The Vsekhsvyatskaya grove suffered the most. The developed methodology can be recommended for calculating the indicators of the historical dynamics of cultural landscapes.