The ecological and economic achievements in landscape optimization of technogenic reliefs

Mining and accumulation of industrial and household waste on the earth’s surface form the technogenic relief of the planet. The main forms of violation of the natural relief are quarries, ditches, landfills and spoil tips. There are two ways of landscape optimization in order to restore ecological balance, to turn the aggressive terrain into an ecological and economic value. The first is a return to the original natural landscape. The process is implemented by ground filling of technogenic depressions, removal and chemical and technological processing of waste accumulated at landfills and spoil tips. The second way is to use technogenic relief to form a new natural landscape. The main attention of the article is paid to the optimization of technogenic landscapes by forest plantations and forest reclamation. As a result of these activities, environmentally safe and aesthetically expressive spaces are formed. Most of these facilities have a high potential for economic, socio-economic and recreational use. The outstanding world achievements in this field are considered. Their ecological and economic characteristics are given.

Longevity of Ulmus pumila L. in protective afforestation on semi-desert lands of the Astrakhan Zavolzhye

The article provides a predictive assessment of longevity of Ulmus pumila L. stands in the Astrakhan Zavolzhye. The effi and expediency of renewable logging for rejuvenation and increasing the longevity of plantings in the semi-desert were confi The classifi of ecotopes of the Astrakhan Zavolzhye on suitability for cultivation of protective and shadow elm plantings on pasture lands was developed and presented. In the Caspian region, Ulmus pumila became widespread in forest reclamation of semi-desert lands in the 1950s. Since then, till the beginning of the 1990s, Bogdinskaya research agroforestry experimental station laid on the sandy massifs about 1 thousand hectares of Ulmus pumila L. plantings, which currently amounts to 1824 %. The long-term practice of using protective shade Ulmus pumila umbrellas has shown their signifi ecological effect on functioning pastures. The aim of the research was to develop an improved technology for creating long-lived protective shade stands of Ulmus pumila on degraded pastures of the Astrakhan Zavolzhye. The research was carried out using generally accepted methods of stand forest taxation by A.P. Anuchin (1961), 1. Bitvinskas (1974) and A.S. Manaenkov (2001). Soil conditions were studied by drilling sounding to 3 m depth. The results of the research revealed that the longevity of wood species in the dry-steppe zone was determined mainly by two factors: productive moisture in the soil and salinity level. The most favorable growing conditions for Ulmus pumila were unsalted (to a depth of at least 3 m) brown sandy soils, sandy loam soils, dark-colored swale soils with periodic redistributed accumulation of moisture. In arid conditions of the Astrakhan Zavolzhye in island plantations (group of trees, umbrellas, 0.51 ha parts of forest area) and optimal growing conditions without logging and reforestation, Ulmus pumila lives up to 6070 years.

Forest pathological monitoring of different types protective planting in Lower Volga region

In maintaining the material and energy balance of dry-steppe and semi-desert ecosystems, the main active component is forest-reclamation complexes of various purposes. In addition to environmental stabilization and other economic functions, protective plantings are also reserves of regional biodiversity. Research was carried out on permanent test sites in dendrological collections and protective forest stands of the Federal Research Center of Agroecology of RAS, as well as in recreational and landscaping plantings using route and stationary methods in different types of forest plantations that differ in condition, level of anthropogenic impact and maintenance regime. The assessment of the forest pathology status of stands was carried out using standard methods and in accordance with the current guidelines for forest pathology survey of plantings and forest pathology monitoring. It was found that in the spectrum of the examined plants, the most prosperous state of the dendroflora is distinguished by arboretums and forest belts. Urban plantings are dominated by severely weakened and shrinking trees (up to 80.0%). The main pathologies in them were shrunken tops and skeletal branches, xylophages, diseases of foliage, wood and trunks. The least pronounced anomalies of woody plants in forest belts (10.7-22.0% lower than in other types of plantings).

FOREST RECLAMATION COMPLEXES OF THE ROSSOSHANSKY DISTRICT OF THE VORONEZH REGION

Forest reclamation complexes in the Rossoshan district of the Voronezh region are mainly represented with the participation of white acacia, silver birch, green ash, common elm and Tatar maple. The area occupied by them in the agricultural landscape is 2009 hectares. In cultures of hanging birch at the age of 19 years with a change in width from 6.0 m to 15.0 m, there is a decrease in the preservation of species by 8.8% and a decrease in wind protection height by 16.5% with a plant density of 3334 pcs / ha and placement of 3 , 0 x 1.0 m. According to the growth of plantings, they are estimated as Ia class of bonitet. In mixed crops aged 34 years, consisting of fast-growing and accompanying species with a planting width of 16.0 m, the highest height is for drooping birch (20.1 m), the lowest for green ash (14.3 m). The safety of such breeds is 46.8% and 60.6%, respectively. Forest belts, represented by white acacia, drooping birch, Tatar maple at the age of 36 years, have a preservation of species of 38.3-55.2%. The drooping birch has the highest height (22.4 m). In artificial linear plantations, consisting of common elm, drooping birch, Tatar maple and green ash at the age of 38 years, the greatest preservation is observed in the Tatar maple (54.7%), the lowest in green ash (32.7%). The drooping birch has the greatest windproof height (20.6 m) and is estimated in growth according to the Ia class of bonitet. Each breed has certain ecological and biological properties.

CARAGANA ARBORESCENS LAM. AS A SHRUB SPECIES FOR BIOLOGICAL RECLAMATION OF POST-TECHNOGENIC AREAS

Minerals are considered one of the components of the economy of any country. The negative side of technogenesis is the emergence of technogenic landscapes with developed exogenous processes. To prevent and eliminate them, biological reclamation is carried out, the most promising direction of which is forest reclamation. In forest reclamation, preference is given to soil-improving tree and shrub species. The research was carried out in the stands of the Caragana arborescens (Caragana arborescens Lam.) on the dumps of the Kursk magnetic anomaly in the Belgorod region of the Central Federal District of Russia. The work on the test areas was carried out according to generally accepted methods. On the sandy-chalk dump of loose overburden, the karagany cultures completely died by the age of 38. On a two-component technozem, with surface application of a fertile layer on a sand-chalk mixture, karagana showed positive results. The maximum safety (84.2-82.0%) is typical for the first four years of karagana's life. It does not depend much on environmental conditions. The growth of shoots in karagana begins only in the second decade of May. Shoots grow most actively in the third decade of May - 43.8%. The average biomass of one karagana bush at the age of 6 years is 503 g. At the same time, the average mass of one specimen of Robinia pseudoacacia is 2264 g. The total supply of phytomass in the 9-year-old karagana plantation is 69.5 c/ha, which is 2.6 times less than in the robinia pseudoacacia plantation. The reclamation role of caragana leaves is insignificant. The tree-like karagana is rich in mineral elements, which is reflected in their accumulation in substrates. The reserves of nitrogen – 4.06% and calcium – 1.46% are especially large in Karagan. The dump is located in the mining production zone, so the iron content in the assimilating organs of karagany exceeds 4 times the content on zonal soils, and titanium - 1.8 times. A significant part of the chemical elements falls on the green parts of plants. Caragana leaves are supplied with: nitrogen - 26.64 kg /ha, potassium - 1.78 kg/ ha, calcium - 17.52 kg/ ha and magnesium - 4.56 kg/ha. More than half of the chemical elements of root systems accumulate in small roots. When they die off, they enter directly into the substrate. The tree-like karagana can be recommended for forest reclamation of technogenically disturbed lands when mixed with more valuable tree and shrub species

Influence of various tree species on the properties of soils in the “Kamennaya Steppe”

The influence of various tree species of forest plantations on the soil properties of the “Kamenno-Stepnoye Experimental Forestry” (Talovsky District, Voronezh Region, Russia) is considered. The aim of the study is to reveal the degree of transformation of the properties of chernozems under various perennial plantations, since forest reclamation is the most important measure to optimize the agroecological state of soils. The researchers note that different tree species have different effects on soil properties. However, this issue is still insufficiently studied and relevant. The research results showed the positive role of tree species on the structural and aggregate state of soils and their water-physical properties. It was found that tree species contribute to the optimization of soil density, humus and moisture reserves. It was revealed that the influence of different tree species on the agroecological state of chernozems is not the same. Thus, under larch (Larix siberica Ldb.) And maple (Acer platanoides L.), the maximum increase in the level of soil humus was observed, as well as a significant improvement in the physical and water-physical properties of soils. What makes this breed the most promising for use in soil protection of the steppe zone.

Protective afforestation in agroforestry landscapes of the Middle Don basin

The use of forest reclamation facilities to transform the landscapes of the Middle Don basin of the European part of Russia is an important aspect in improving the natural conditions of agricultural territories. In the Central Black Earth Region, they occupy an area of 600000 hectares and form the ecological framework of forest agrarian landscapes. The purpose of our research is to establish the optimal conditions for the growth and reforestation efficiency of protective plantations in different conditions. Modern methods and approaches were used for forestry and land reclamation assessment of forest belts. In artificial linear plantings, the biometric indicators of growth and safety in fast-growing species are most pronounced at the initial density of creation and 3334 pcs/ha. The best companions for joint cultivation of English oak are Norway maple and yellow acacia. In the conditions of typical chernozem, the highest values for the growth of rocks are noted. In winter, protective plantations accumulate snow water reserves of 435-430 m3/ha, which makes it possible to form an additional yield of grain crops by 320-430 kg/ha in the strip zones.

Environmental Transformation and the Current State of Hydrogeological Condition in the Wojkowice Area—Southern Poland

Based on the analysis and interpretation of maps, remote sensing data published in the literature, and environmental reconnaissance, this article discusses environmental transformations in the Wojkowice area in southern Poland (up to the year 2020). A comprehensive analysis was carried out concerning spatial development, mining activity, hydrogeological conditions and the biotic environment. The current state of the hydrogeological conditions was also characterized. Mining activity in the vicinity of the studied town caused significant changes in its relief, which contributed to its area dropping by about 5 m. In fact, these terrain forms are overgrown by various forms of vegetation that colonized these areas both naturally and as a result of forest reclamation. The contemporary vegetation of Wojkowice differs from the potential natural vegetation, which is an indicator of the complete anthropogenization of the natural environment. Over 100 years of industrial activity in Wojkowice has also contributed to a strong transformation of the groundwater. There has been a quantitative depletion of usable groundwater in the Triassic and Carboniferous formations. With inflows to the ore mines of up to 17 m3/min, the groundwater table has dropped by more than 60 m. The aquifer of Muschelkalk has been practically drained. At present, wells extract the waters from the Röth aquifer. There has been a major transformation of groundwater chemistry. The waters of the Triassic carbonate complex are anthropogenically transformated and are characterized by increased mineralization, multi-ionic types and usually with a quality class III and IV, and, therefore, they require some treatment.

Assessment of Natural and Forest Reclaimed Forage Lands in Semi-Desert Conditions in Southern Russia

Haphazard use of pastures has become one of the factors of disturbance of their natural vegetation. Therefore, forest reclamation works were carried out and significant areas of strip plantations of shrubs were created in the Caspian Sea region in the mid-20th century. In the arid zone of Russia, one of the most important tasks in the field of scientific provision of protective afforestation is the improvement of methods and techniques of arrangement, increasing longevity and environmental, agricultural, and utilitarian efficiency of plantations. This study aims to determine the long-term impact of afforestation on the functioning of pasture ecosystems. The influence of tree and shrub layer on biodiversity and productivity of vegetation cover of pastures was also studied. The research objects are plantations growing on the reclaimed pastures. The research is based on the materials of biomonitoring and field experiments using standard methods of forest inventory and geobotanical survey. Rectangular-shaped test plots of 0.25–0.30 ha were laid out for the study of forest plots. Test plots were used for a detailed description of the location, soil composition, time, method, and technology of plantation development, as well as a comprehensive assessment of the growth and longevity of tree and shrub crops. Data from key plots were used to study the successional processes of vegetation cover. The research results have shown that deep plowing preparation of soil to obtain high results in rooting, preservation, and growth of shrub species has an advantage over other soil preparation technologies in the semi-desert zone. It was found that the shrub layer up to 45 years old retains its productive and generative abilities. Pasture protection belts from Haloxylon aphyllum and reclamation and fodder plantations from Krascheninnikovia ceratoides and Calligonum aphyllum have a high cenosis potential and stability. In this case study, in semi-arid regions, afforestation with shrubs is the best way to improve and restore pastures. For citation: Rybashlykova L.P., Lepesko V.V. Assessment of Natural and Forest Reclaimed Forage Lands in Semi-Desert Conditions in Southern Russia. Lesnoy Zhurnal [Russian Forestry Journal], 2021, no. 3, pp. 37–48. DOI: 10.37482/0536-1036-2021-3-37-48