Snowdrift Redistribution as the Main Factor of Regulation of Water Availability for Forest Cultures in Steppe Conditions

Abstract

Abstract—The applicability and necessity of analysis of snowdrift redistribution features for optimizing moisture availability for both forest cultures and adjacent territories are recommended when creating artificially planted protective forest belts in previously treeless territories. The average distance traveled by individual snowflakes by wind, which usually does not exceed several hundred meters, is the most important parameter of snow cover formation. This particular mechanism regulates the amount of snow accumulation in forest belts, controls the width of the snow-gathering area, and contributes to the even distribution of snow on flat lands without forests. By analyzing the ratio of potential evaporation and the average volume of additional snow-melt water per unit length of the forest belt, some specific features of moisture accumulation and peculiarities of tree desiccation on various types of soils were revealed. Evidence is given for the impossibility of the creation of stable close-planted forests on light chestnut soils in semidesert and dry steppe regions due to the weak accumulation of snow masses and the losses of significant amounts of spring infiltration water due to secondary salinization. Ways are disclosed to optimize the water availability for cultures in chernozem steppes by adjustment of the width of the forest belt according to the mechanics of snowdrift redistribution. The research conducted shows the possibility of mathematical calculation of the optimal parameters and spatial configuration of newly planted forest belts on reclaimed territory. The impossibility of increasing the life cycle of artificial forest stands with the help of only traditional agrotechnical and silvicultural techniques without considering these criteria has been proved.