Long-term Dynamics of the Main Elements of River Flow Within the Central Chernozem Region

Abstract

The study of the hydroecological state of small rivers is one of the primary tasks in accordance with modern principles of rational water use and conservation of aquatic ecosystems. An increase in the volume of economic activity within the catchment area, as well as significant climatic changes, cause changes in the runoff of small rivers. In this regard, the dynamics of river runoff in the territory of the Central Black Earth region, depending on the physical and climatic conditions, can be of a different nature. The work is devoted to the consideration of the long-term dynamics of the main flow elements of the rivers of the Central Chernozem region, which can be considered as the main indicators of modern hydroecological changes within the catchment area of ​​the rivers. The main trends, statistical significance, as well as long-term regularities in the dynamics of the runoff values of spring floods, summer and winter low-water periods, and annual runoff are analyzed by the method of evaluating linear trends and differential integral curves. It was revealed that there are significant changes in the characteristics of the spring runoff and the runoff of the summer and winter low-water periods, indicating a redistribution of river runoff within the seasons of the hydrological year. Conclusions are drawn about the influence of the identified processes of river runoff transformation on slope and channel erosion processes, which must be taken into account in hydrological calculations and forecasts, in assessing the ecological state of rivers and associated water bodies.