The paper presents the results of complex geoecological, hydrochemical and water-ecological studies of the mouth area of tributaries and shores of Lake Baikal at model sites. The mouth area of tributaries is in dynamic interaction with the receiving water body; chemical and biological accumulative and exchange processes directly affect the state of the Lake Baikal’s water resources. The study assessed the transformation and determined potential resilience of the main components of landscapes to anthropogenic loads within the mouth area. Revealed are the basic parameters of soil and surface water pollution and factors of anthropogenic influence of residential and recreational zones on the natural complexes of the model territories. The research results showed that the pollutant accumulation on the geochemical barriers of soils and alluvial deposits, purification of surface waters in floodplain meadow and wetlands are quite active and generally support the ecological state of the mouth area. However, the low degree of resilience to anthropogenic loads and the current level of degradation of the landscape components of mouth complexes indicate the need to reduce the adverse impact on these territories and on the lake ecosystem as a whole.

In the modern world, urbanization processes are becoming more and more intense, and the number of cities and their size are steadily increasing. The specific character of the country is quite well reflected in the geography of Russian cities, i. e. the large dimensions of space, a consistent approach to formation of the State territory, and the course of urbanization. The regions of the RF differ from one another by the degree of development, the level of socioeconomic advancement and matureness of the systems of cities, and by the spatial pattern of population distribution. Nowadays, the prospects for formation and development of large urban agglomerations (UAs) of Siberia are generating great interest. The characteristics of development of agglomerations in Siberia are considered. Based on analyzing the demographic processes and the existing population distribution pattern, an assessment is made of the problems and prospects of formation of agglomerations in Siberia.

When discussing the geographical features in the formation of the framework of the economy, population distribution and nature management of Russia (Siberia) and Mongolia in conditions of the landlocked location and an enhancement in Eurasian integration processes, it is necessary to capitalize primarily on the national priorities of Russia (and on the interests of its eastern regions), with due regard for the interests of neighboring countries. The territories adjacent to the Trans-Siberian Railway (Transsib) have favorable opportunities for implementation of major transport projects and for general economic growth. The competitive advantages and possibilities of the cities and agglomerations will look different if they are regarded not as separate entities but as forming part of a common Trans-Siberian economic space. An enhancement in the role of the transport hubs, such as Tyumen, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, objectively leads to the growth of the respective agglomerations and is detrimental to the functioning of the other urban settlements along Transsib which are associated with the railroad. The Trans-Siberian transport corridor should become the belt of economic development of the adjacent landlocked territories and work for integration of the vast Eurasian space thereby unleashing the potential of the urban agglomerations of Siberia.

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