Abstract

In the paper the meaning of the concepts "degradation" and "transformation" of small rivers is defined, the causes of arousal and the factors influencing these processes are characterized. The extent of the development of the degradation processes is assessed, and the intensity of phenomena like rivers drying-out, changes in water content, silting, channel overgrowing by hygrophilic vegetation, transformation of perennial streams into interim, are estimated. It is established, that the degradation processes are the most intensive in the uplands in forest-steppe and steppe zones of humid belt. The key directions of future studies of small rivers degradation problem are delineated.

Keywords: small rivers, degradation process, transformation process, silting, overgrowth