Evaluation of the Ecological Status and Loss of Productivity of Arid Pasture Ecosystems of the Sarpa Lowland

Аннотация

The pasture ecosystems of semiarid zones of Russia within the Sarpa Lowland were monitored, and regional problem were revealed. The experimental data were obtained in 1999–2017. It is established that the current state of agricultural landscapes is critical. The portion of degraded pastures is more than 600 000 ha (34%), and more than half of them are characterized by strong degradation. The total area of forage lands in the region is about 1 870 000 ha, 35–40% of which are moderately degraded pastures, 30–40% are strongly degraded pastures, and 15–20% are lands excluded from agricultural use (degraded sands or abandoned lands). The digression is greatest on winter (year-round) pastures. The area of bare and blown sands has increased to 20–30%. The load on pastures in some areas exceeds the optimal layer by five to seven times. Almost all pastures need rest and agronomic restoration measures. Desertification, which results in salinization, erosion, and deflation, is a great environmental problem in the region. The loss of pasture productivity as a result of desertification in the region is 1 052 700 centners of fodder units (CFUs) per year. Agroforestry measures are very important for the prevention of soil erosion and deflation and are considered to be a multifunctional, long-term factor of environment protection. We compiled a map of forest-growing conditions for ecologically and economically efficient forest reclamation. It is based on the forest reclamation classification, which reflects the natural parameters of the area and specific features of its forest reclamation.