Devising recommendations based on a comprehensive assessment of the soil-geobotanical condition of land plots for executing afforestation activities

Abstract

The land fund is in constant flux. Lands are transferred from one category and land to another. The deterioration of the ecological state of the land, the development of erosion processes, desertification, salinization, pollution by chemical and radioactive substances, forest and shrubland overgrowth of land annually exclude significant areas from use. This paper reports a study of forestry stations located on the territory of Northern Kazakhstan. The soil was investigated by the method of laying soil sections and semi-pits with a description of the power of the horizons. The structure of the soil was determined by the method of breaking down soil samples. The granulometric composition was determined by the wet method with a division into sand, loam, light loam, medium loam, heavy loam, and clay. The chemical analysis of soil samples was carried out in a certified laboratory. Soluble carbonates are present in the samples from the Burluk forestry station. According to the structure and chemical analysis, the types of soils for each forestry station were defined. Based on the study's results, recommendations were devised for the categories of areas. In addition, the areas of plots suitable for all major forest species and areas with existing forests, forest crops, overgrown with self-sowing were determined. During the reconnaissance route-loop survey of land plots, the types of plant associations were identified. A comprehensive ecological and geographical study of a forestry station was carried out to execute afforestation operations. Basically, the identification of types of plant associations has made it possible to conduct a preliminary assessment on the ground about the quality of the studied areas for the restoration of forest areas. General recommendations were compiled from the direct conduct of surveys on the ground; however, systematic monitoring, using remote sensing methods of the Earth, could facilitate the ongoing research. Building on the method of integrated ecological and geographical research could in the future significantly improve the efficiency of forest management activities in general and minimize losses associated with environmental influences