Common oak survival in the forest ecosystem of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain in the north of Astrakhan region

Abstract

Forests in our natural environment play an important role. They are a necessary natural resource and perform many functions in the forest ecosystem. As in our country, as well as abroad, due to numerous studies, the enormous role of forests in preserving the ecological balance of the environment has been confirmed. To ensure the uniqueness of the Astrakhan region, it is necessary to restore Lower Volga forests, which in turn perform significant functions, namely: influence on hydrological regime, protect soil from degradation, wind and water erosion, preserve recreational potential of the territory and provide local population with stable agricultural production. In spring and fall of 2019, employees of the Precaspian Agrarian Federal Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences planted 120 seedlings of common oak (60 plants in spring and 60 plants in autumn) in the areas located in the right bank of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain to the south of Solenoye Zaimishche village. At the end of October 2020, 64 seedlings (53 %) of common oak survived. The best (100 %) survival rate was noted in annual seedlings, which were planted in spring at the site with shading. The greatest plant death (20 %) was in two-year-old seedlings planted in fall at sites with no shading.