Rakhmatullayev Arzimurad, doctor, of scenes, professor, the faculty of Geography and Ecology Samarkand State University, Mamajanov Rasuljon, Senior teacher, the faculty of Geography and Ecology Samarkand State University E-mail: [email protected] Meliev Bakhtiyor, Senior teacher, the faculty of Geography and Ecology Samarkand State University Baratov Xabib,
assistant, the faculty of Geography and Ecology Samarkand State University
THE USE OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN MAPPING LANDSCAPES
Abstract: First, in the natural geographical research work the landscape map of the area forms. The landscapes shown in the map demonstrate the difference and division of natural features of the area. Therefore, the landscapes displayed in the maps and their internal morphology considered as the object of the natural geographical studies. Keywords: Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Samarkand region, landscape, GIS, landscape map.
Introduction. The landscape researches conducted in the Samarkand region, which situated in Zarafshan valley considered as the largest agricultural district of Central Asia. Within Samarkand region the agricultural spheres, like cotton, grain, horticulture, viticulture and livestock are developed. The implementing of modern methodological research and their optimal use from the natural geographical side plays an important role in the study of Zarafshan valley's landscape structures and features. Considering these, the necessity of individual research of landscapes is increasing day by day. In this article the modern methods of conducting landscape researches and creating landscape maps are examined.
While creating landscape maps, the using of modern methods are plays an pivotal role in monitoring landscape processes since in the modern methods data entry and processing goes quickly.
Information about area: Samarkand region is situated in the Central Asia, in the centre of Uzbekistan, having the total area of 16000 km2. The river Zarafshan flows from the center of region. Starting from the mountains of Tajikistan area it flows fully in summer seasons and supplies approximately millions of hectares with water within Zarafshan valley. The Great Silk Road's main way is also passes from the city of Samarkand, which had an ancient civilization in
Central Asia. 15-18% of Samarkand province comprises of large oases, 48-50% of mountains and plains, 22-30% of mountainous and 10-12% of flat deserts. Side-by-side locating of deserts, mountain plains and valley landscapes are crucial in utilization of their natural resources, as well as creating thematic maps with the help of GIS technologies based on landscape maps.
Discussion of the obtained results: In these days, graphic software programs such as ArcGIS, MapInfo, Ar-cView, Win Gis, PHOTOMOD, GeoDraw, GeoGraph, Adobe Illustrator, and Corel Draw are widely used in forming landscape maps, conducting field surveys. Conducting landscape researches in GIS programs are going on by different stages (figure 1.).
In the initial stage, maps and pictures taken from space introduced to GIS base. For this, the information gathered on conducting landscape research, natural and landscape maps, space photos and statistic information will be placed on the computer memory.
For vectorization the system of spatial coordinates are chosen in raster materials. This process can be done automatically or manually. For doing this, automatically two starting points will be chosen. Other base and control points placed automatically. After that, valley's space photos connect to each other. After linking, they become as digital numbers.
While vectorization, objects in raster materials num- Digital maps can be comprised of several thematic layers. In bered. For this, the program of creating map should be each layers some objects described. formed, also scientific literature is required to be analyzed.
Figure 1. Technological process of conducting landscape research on the basis of GIS
Then, the information database of digital electron maps created. In the database, information about objects introduced as a tables and saved. In order to create database, cartographic, reference and statistic information as well as results of field studies will be chosen. Conducting field research is going by created program. Final stage finishes with the creation of maps' legend, then analyzed, tested by expert system and published.
Landscape map is part of complex maps, which in its turn have information about the nature of the place. Therefore, it serves as the base of forming various thematic maps. There are also linking of components of the nature within the landscape maps.
There are lot of belief concerning to the notion of landscape. We joined to ideas of regional direction. The essences of these notions are followings:
1) the geographical landscape is considered as a regional complex of the natural area, and consists of morphological units, which are dynamically linked; 2) the main reason of differentiating geographical landscape is that, similarity between geological and geomorphological conditions; 3) landscape has a stable climate; 4) that kind of stable condition aids to develop flora and fauna more better (Annenskaya and others, 1963, Solntsev, 2001).
During the researches, we carried out some tectonic structures, which are played a key role in formation of landscapes within the Middle and Lower Zarafshan. (Rakhmatullayev, 2004). In the mountainous areas, the tectonic structure differs. In each of the tectonic structures the morph sculptural relief forms formed according to their geological, lithological and petrographic composition. I. P. Gerasimov (1959) offered to call such tectonic structures as a morph structures. According to I. P. Gerasimov (1959) and Yu. A. Meshcheryakov's (1965) classification, the mountain areas and ranges are included to the secondary morph structures.
Morph structures are the base of special landscapes. In many cases, separated morph structures and landscape boundaries coincides to each other. However, sometimes there are divided two or more landscapes within extremely complex morph structures.
While dividing the region of Samarkand into landscapes, besides the morph structural features, geomor-phological structure of the place, its genesis, hypsometric height, and climate change are taken into account. According to the geological and geomorphological features, the mountain plains separated as a special landscape in the Zarafshan Valley.
We identified differences of the following landscapes in the Samarkand region according to genesis, geological and geomorphological features:
A) Dry steppe and semi-desert mountain landscapes
The mountains with the average height: A1 - Chakilka-
lon; A2 - Koratepa; A3 - Gobdintog; A4 - Oktog; A5 - North Nurota mountains;
B) Flat steppe mountain landscapes: B1 - Chakilka-lon and the Karatepa mountain plains; B2 - Zirabulak and Ziyovutdin mountain plains; B3 - Gobdintog Korachatog mountain plains; B4 - Oktog mountain plains; B5 - North Nurota mountain plains;
C) The semi-desert plains landscape amidst mountains:
C1 - Ulus - Jom;
D) Basin semi-desert landscape amidst mountains:
D1 - Koshrabad - Nurota;
E) Desert landscape: E1 - Karnob;
F) Valley landscapes: F1 - Samarkand, F2 - Kat-takurgan.
In order to form landscape map and to display them colorful, here is used programs by ArcGIS by ESRI Company and MapInfo by Estimap. The mountains of average height colored with dark brown, low mountains with light-brown colors. Valley landscapes expressed with the green color. Displaying colors in such ways show clearly the relief of the area. Moreover, valleys and desert landscapes in the map clearly can be seen (Figure 2).
Figure 2. The landscape map of Samarkand region
We draw transverse incision between Koratepa and Gub-din mountains with the view of showing landscapes' location and the internal structure of the two mountains.
In this incision not only the mountain plains, valley landscapes clearly shown, but also the internal division of land-
scapes (terraces) displayed noticeably. At the same time, the close correlation between landscapes and morphological units of rocks visible. On the base of landscapes rocks and deposits placed, above of that there is 2 ml soil and on the soil, plants
allocated. The programs such as Maplnfo and CorelDraw used to form incision.
To describe the relief of any area in the maps, here can be used colors, isohypse lines and the method of relief plastics. In recent years, with the advent of new technology has opened up opportunities to describe the relief by three-dimensional form. Scientific and practical significance of this technique is very high, because in the flat area one able to see the real forms of relief through this method.
The three dimensional map can be used as a basis for landscape maps or other maps. However, divisions can be seen as barcode stripes, geometric shapes since these maps are also colored. Especially, such maps show spreading of plants, animals, extremely visually.
Three-dimensional maps will be better foundation while creating multimedia maps. The multimedia maps of Samarkand region, which are in stage of planning, serve as a great source of information and knowledge, give a practical assistance to conduct research in the region.
Conclusion: To create the landscape map of Samarkand region of Uzbekistan, we used GIS software program as well as formed landscape map with the landscape incision of the area. In addition, we created technical studies to carry out landscape researches on the base of GIS.
The great importance of preparing a three-dimensional form of landscape map and transversal landscape incision drafts introduced. In upcoming years it will be the basis to create multimedia maps.
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