Spatio-temporal analysis of the ameliorative state of lands in the foothill, steppe and forest-steppe zones of the Altai Territory

Abstract

The problem of land degradation is global throughout the world. Many studies have noted that land reclamation can adversely affect their quality. In Russia and a number of countries of the post-Soviet space, the quality of land is assessed by such an indicator as the ameliorative state. The purpose of the research was the spatio-temporal analysis of the ameliorative state of the lands of the Altai Territory in the forest-steppe, steppe and foothill zone. The object of study was chosen due to the diversity of its landscape and climate variability due to the influence of mountain systems. Such general scientific research methods as analysis and synthesis, as well as applied methods were used: multivariate data analysis (cluster and regression analysis), GIS technologies. The calculations were made in the STATISTICA package, the significance level in all calculations was taken equal to 0.05. Research results. The structure of agricultural lands on rain-fed and reclaimed lands in each agrochemical zone has been determined. In the structure of lands, the share of arable land on reclaimed lands is higher than on rainfed lands. This is due to a significant increase in productivity during land reclamation. The share of reclaimed lands with perennial plantations in the foothill zone is 12 times higher than that of rainfed lands. The deposit in the foothill zone is only on rainfed lands. Clustering of 25 districts was completed according to the state of reclaimed land at the beginning of 2015 and 2022. The regions of the region that have reduced or increased the ameliorative state of the lands have been identified. The rate of change in the land area corresponding to each ameliorative state is estimated. The oldest reclamation systems are located in the steppe zone of the Altai Territory, which affects the dynamics of changes in the quality of reclamated lands. The reclamation state of the lands in the foothill zone remained unchanged; statistically insignificant trends were revealed in the forest-steppe zone. In conclusion, the results of the calculations are summarized. For the period 2015-2022 the area of reclaimed land has not changed. The region is characterized by the predominance of lands of good and satisfactory ameliorative condition, regardless of the agrochemical zones. The changes revealed by the typification of areas according to the reclamation state of lands at the beginning and end of the period are mainly due to a decrease in the reclamation state of lands in the steppe zone with the transition from good to satisfactory.