CURRENT STATUS AND EFFICIENCY OF ABANDONED LANDS RE-DEVELOPMENT IN RIVER BASINS OF SOUTH-WESTERN TRANSBAIKALIA

Abstract

Complex ecological and economic studies of post-agrarian landscapes in the middle reaches of the Selenga, Chikoy and Temnik rivers were carried out within the boundaries of the Selenga administrative region of the Republic of Buryatia (RB). A map of abandoned agricultural lands has been compiled. A brief description of agroclimatic conditions of the study area is given; the structure of agricultural land, the yield of grain and forage crops, the dynamics of livestock and the load of livestock on pastures and hayfields are analyzed. The reasons for the arable land abandonment are formulated. It was revealed that pastures and hayfields are not excluded from the agricultural use. This is due to an increase in the livestock numbers in households, which are the main agricultural producers in the RB, as well as a shortage of natural forage lands. The species composition and the state of shelterbelt forests are described as an integral part of the ecotopes of post-agrarian landscapes. The main taxonomic indicators of trees are given. The study of shelterbelt forests is topical due to the need for their inventory, lack of maintenance, and the adoption of Federal Laws on protective afforestation and land reclamation. A brief agrochemical description of the state of soils in key areas is given. To assess the effectiveness of arable land reuse, a net operating income (NOI) or rental income was calculated for each grain and grainfodder crop grown in the region under study. It was revealed that oats and spring wheat are the most profitable. Recommendations were formulated for the redevelopment of post-agricultural landscapes, optimization of protective afforestation, and reconstruction of shelterbelt forests