Экология

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
Бессистемное использование пастбищ стало одним из факторов нарушения их естественной растительности. Поэтому в Прикаспийском регионе в середине XX в. были проведены лесомелиоративные работы и созданы значительные площади полосных насаждений из кустарников. На территории аридной зоны России одной из важнейших задач в области научного обеспечения защитного лесоразведения является совершенствование методов и приемов обустройства, повышение долговечности, экологической, сельскохозяйственной и утилитарной эффективности насаждений. Исследование направлено на определение долгосрочного воздействия облесения на функционирование пастбищных экосистем. Также было изучено влияние древесно-кустарникового яруса на биоразнообразие, продуктивность растительного покрова пастбищ. Объектом исследования стали насаждения лесных полос на мелиорированных пастбищах. Использованы материалы биомониторинга, геоботанической съемки и полевых опытов с применением типовых методик лесной таксации. Закладывали пробные площади прямоугольной формы 0,25–0,30 га. Проводили подробное описание местоположения участка, состава почвы, времени, способа и технологии создания насаждений, а также комплексную оценку роста и долговечности древесно-кустарниковых культур. Изучение сукцессионных процессов растительного покрова осуществляли с применением данных ключевых участков. Результаты показали, что в зоне полупустыни для обеспечения высокой приживаемости, сохранности и роста кустарниковых пород при различных технологиях подготовки почвы преимущество остается за плантажной методикой. Как следует из опытов, кустарниковый ярус до 45 лет сохраняет продукционные и генеративные способности. Высоким ценозообразующим потенциалом и устойчивостью обладают пастбищезащитные полосы из Haloxylon aphyllum и мелиоративно-кормовые насаждения из Krascheninnikovia ceratoides и Calligonum aphyllum. В полузасушливых районах облесение с помощью кустарников является наилучшим способом улучшения и восстановления пастбищ. For citation: Rybashlykova L.P., Lepesko V.V. Assessment of Natural and Forest Reclaimed Forage Lands in Semi-Desert Conditions in Southern Russia // Изв. вузов. Лесн. журн. 2021. № 3. С. 37–48. DOI: 10.37482/0536-1036-2021-3-37-48

The radiological state of the land and water areas constantly attracts public interest. Specially protected natural reservations deserve special attention when it comes to studying radiological conditions. This study presents findings of radioecological investigations conducted in the Kostomuksha State Nature Reserve in 2012 – 2015. The Kostomuksha Mining Company, which is developing the Kostomuksha iron ore deposit was identified as a potentially hazardous facility that might affect the radioecological situation in the naturel reserve, since production of iron ores at the deposit involves extraction to the ground surface of acid rocks characterised by a naturally high content of radioactive elements (granitic gneiss). Furthermore, several sources of radioactive radon gas have been identified within the reserve boundaries. The study included investigation of natural and anthropogenic radioactivity in the environmental components of the nature reserve and adjacent territories, including soil, plants, bottom sediments, ambient air and natural waters. It was found that development of the Kostomuksha iron ore deposit and operations of the mining and processing plant do not exert any considerable impact on the radiological situation in the nature reserve. Data obtained during the study indicate that the overall radiological situation in the reserve is acceptable and meets the relevant radiation safety standards. High levels of radiocesium were found in the moss and bottom sediments of the nature reserve, which requires additional research to determine a wider pattern of distribution of anthropogenic radioactivity across the adjacent territories and to study the processes of buildup and migration of radionuclides in aquatic organisms of Kamennoye Lake.