Soil erosion on the agricultural lands in Southern Siberia: current state, risks, soil protection models

Abstract

Territorial distribution of agricultural land erosion of in Siberia is considered. We determine different degradation processes mechanisms from west to east. In the Western Siberia meltwater erosion dominates. In the Middle Siberia soil erosion is caused by meltwater and rainstorm runoff, and in the Eastern Siberia by rainstorm discharge. Agricultural lands in mountains located in inter-mountain basins where concentric zoning of changes in mechanisms and rates of land degradation were analyzed. Predictive estimation of soil loss is carried out. We developed maps of erosion-hazard for agricultural lands. Detailed mapping of soil erosion rates in model basins has been carried out. Obtained are the trends and tendencies of soil erosion development in Siberia and the quantitative indicators of potential soil losses from erosion and deflation. Special attention is paid to soil degradation in the Lake Baikal basin. Positive trend of dust storms in the south part of Eastern Siberia at present day indicate aeolian processes increase under climate warming. In future, desertification of steppe landscapes will continue. The probability of desertification of southern Siberia, caused by the development of soil erosion, is determined. Regional models of soil conservation are presented