The use of some parameters of carbon cycle in assessing the functional organization levels of landscapes (using the Lake Baikal watershed basin as an example)

Presented is the technique for calculating the indicators characterizing the degree of organization of landscape, based on determining the parameters of carbon cycle which are amenable to accurate numerical accounting: the amount of C that oxidizes within the soil-ground layer, and the amount of organic C that is carried with the runoff. Published data on chemical composition of surface waters were used as input information for calculations. On the basis of the indicators obtained, the level of functional organization of landscape was assessed. It was assumed for the sake of convenience that the significance of all indicators was identical. For further assessments of the levels, it is suggested that the significance of the indicators determined by the range of their values be taken into account.