Abstract. Geographic Information System (GIS)and Geoportal with open access «River basins of the European Russia» were implemented. GIS and Geoportal are based on the map of basins of small rivers of the European Russia with information about natural and anthropogenic characteristics, namely geomorphometry of basins relief; climatic parameters, representing averages, variation, seasonal variation, extreme values of temperature and precipitation; land cover types; soil characteristics; type and subtype of landscape; population density. The GIS includes results of spatial analysis and modelling, in particular, assessment of anthropogenic impact on river basins; evaluation of water runoff and sediment runoff; climatic, geomorphological and landscape zoning for the European part of Russia. IntroductionCurrently, in Russia, there is no integrated geospatial database or geographic information system tied to the basins of small rivers. The urgency of creating such a complete coverage GIS that is capable to accumulate large volumes of spatial information on natural systems and integrated information on the state of small river basins is in relevancy of studying the results of increasing anthropogenic impact, as well as climatic changes observed in different landscape areas on basin geographic systems. The large region of Russia -its European part which is some 4 million square kilometres with the most part of population and industrial and agricultural potential of the country -is being fundamentally studied in terms of geographical analysis of minor river basins and river runoff while creating designated geographic information system (GIS) "River basins of the European Russia". The designed GIS is considered to be a base for modern data and knowledge on geographic, hydroclimatic, geoecological and other characteristics of natural resource potential of tens thousands river basins. The thematic information sources are the data from long-term monitoring's, Earth's remote sensing, and accumulated corpus of cartographic materials from state surveys. The GIS includes not only actual information, but also the results of its comprehensive spatial analysis and modelling, assessments of anthropogenic load on river basins, the results of studying the patterns of water runoff formation depending on the landscape and geographical conditions in the European part of Russia.The information accumulated in the GIS is located on the geoportal "River basins of the European Russia" with public (open) access, which will enable a wide range of representatives of a scientific community and experts in the field of environmental management and protection to obtain thematic

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The area, which occupies the right bank of the Volga River from the mouth of its tributary, Sviyaga River, to the southern border of Tatarstan, and the right bank of the Kama River from its mouth to the northeastern border of Tatarstan, is considered to warrant the possible creation of a national geopark. The area is characterized by welldefined limits, and it occupies 2,080 km 2 that is commensurate with an area of many successfully functioning geoparks. It has more than 150 years of history of comprehensive geological studies carried out by prominent Russian and foreign geologists. A significant number of geosites (29) of different types and significance levels accessible to visitors are revealed there. The majority of the geosites are of interest first of all in terms of stratigraphy and palaeontology as well as geomorphology, tectonics, petrology, hydrogeology, and history of geology and mining. These geosites allow study of the history of the Earth's organic world in the Middle-Upper Permian, geological events, and processes that occurred in this region, as well as landform evolution.This area is of aesthetic value owing to the variety and beauty of its natural landscapes. It also contains abundant nongeological natural, historical, and cultural heritage sites attractive for tourists. It is also characterized by a high level of economic development, well-developed infrastructure, and the existence of officially protected sites that occupy a fifth of the territory. The area is of high educational significance as well. It has, for a long time, been used as a geological training ground for students of the Kazan State University, Russia. Moreover, the scientific and methodical basis for seven educational-excursion routes including visiting particularly interesting geological, historical, and cultural sites of the planned geopark has been already developed.The comprehensive evaluation of this area shows that it meets all necessary criteria for geopark creation.

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The mapping of river sediment yields at continental or global scale involves a number of technical difficulties that have largely been ignored. The maps need to show the large zonal peculiarities of river sediment yields, as well as the level (smoothed) local anomalies. This study was carried out to create a map of river sediment yields for Northern Eurasia (within the boundaries of the former Soviet Union, 22 × 10 6 km 2 ) at a scale of 1:1 500 000. The data for preparing the map were taken from the long-term observations recorded at more than 1000 hydrological stations. The data have mostly been collected during the 20th century by applying a single method. The creation of this map from the study of river sediment yield is a major step towards enhancing international research on understanding the mechanical denudation of land due mainly to erosion.