Semi-desert Zone Research Articles

Biodiversity of wild spice plants of the Central Kazakhstan region and their medicinal potential

Abstract. Pozdnyakova Y, Omarova G, Murzatayeva A, Tankibaeva N. 2022. Biodiversity of wild spice plants of the Central Kazakhstan region and their medicinal potential. Biodiversitas 23: 4609-4625. The Central Asian region stretches from the Caspian Sea in the west to the border of western China in the east. Central Kazakhstan occupies the space of steppe and semi-desert zones within the Turgay Plateau in the west and the Kazakh Uplands in the center and in the east. Due to the remoteness of the steppes of Central Kazakhstan from the oceans, the climate in the region is extremely continental and arid. Due to this, the diversity of plant species is quite small. In this work, we have studied the biodiversity of wild herbs growing in the climatic conditions of Central Asia. We also assessed the prospects of the found plant species as medicines. This study took place as part of the traditional summer practice of biology students in the period July-August 2019. The main method used in the field research was route reconnaissance. As a result of field research, 40 wild spice plant species belonging to 17 families were found. Among them, the most numerous are the families Lamiaceae - 9 species, Brassicaceae - 6 species, Apiaceae - 5 species, Asteraceae - 4 species, the families Rosaceae and Fabaceae - 2 species of herbs. All of these species are mentioned in a number of old recipes and can be revived and re-recommended for widespread use. A critical assessment of the literature on the medicinal properties of the studied spices irrefutably shows that they have enormous health potential. Based on the data obtained, it can be concluded that wild spice plants growing in the territory of Central Kazakhstan have a wide range of taste diversity and prospects for successful commercial exploitation.

Selection of the starting material with winter soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for selection for virus resistance

In the Volgograd region, in the dry-steppe, and especially in semi-desert zones, favorable hydrothermal conditions for obtaining maximum yields are not so often - about 20% of the years, but in these years, as a rule, various diseases, including viral ones, cause significant damage to the crop. Field and laboratory research was carried out on the basis of the laboratory of breeding, seed production and nursery breeding of the Federal Research Center of Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, located in the Kamyshinsky district, in the right-bank zone of the Volgograd region, in 2019/20. Samples of the world collection of VIR were studied, by origin they were presented from: Russia - 132 pcs., Kazakhstan - 10 pcs., USA - 8 pcs., Ukraine - 8 pcs., Poland - 3 pcs. and one - Belarus and Japan. Collection samples were sown in a wide row, with a row spacing of 0.45 cm, with a cassette seeder SKS - 6 - 10, the area of the plot for each sample was 1 m2, the number of plants on five rows of the experimental plot was 300 pcs. Collection samples were studied and evaluated in accordance with methodological guidelines, assessment of resistance to various diseases on a 5-point scale, cleaning by pulling out plants. The resistance to the harmfulness of plants was evaluated in the field during the phase of milky-waxy ripeness. To determine the harmfulness of viruses, each sample was divided into healthy and affected plants, the ratio of healthy plants to damaged plants was calculated, followed by an analysis of their elements of the crop structure. A biometric analysis of plants was carried out, which included a sample of 30 plants and the determination of: plant height (cm), ear length (cm), the number of spikelets - total and including developed (pcs), the number of grains and the weight of grain from the ear (pcs). Of the varieties of local breeding, Kamyshanka 3 and Kamyshanka 5 showed relative stability. With a viral lesion, in tolerant varieties, the greatest decrease in plant productivity structure elements was observed by the grain weight of the main ear - 27.9% (due to a decrease in the number of grains -27.5%) and the grain weight of side shoots - 49.6%, in susceptible varieties, complete plant death was observed.

Ecosystem engineering influence of Mongolian marmots (Marmota sibirica) on small mammal communities in Mongolia

Mongolian marmots (Marmota sibirica) live in colonies that consist of numerous burrows and are considered ecosystem engineers. Although once a common steppe species, marmots are now endangered due to overharvesting, which has led to concerns over the impacts of their loss on other species. The decline of marmots likely affected other species given their importance to the ecosystems they inhabit. To examine the role of marmots on small mammal, we established Sherman traps and drift fence arrays with associated pitfall and funnel traps on active marmot colonies, inactive colonies, and control sites in the forest-steppe and semi-desert zones of Mongolia. Overall, we identified 385 individuals representing 11 species of rodents and 1 species of bat in Ikh Nart and 149 individuals representing 2 species of rodents and 1 species of insectivore from Hustai. We found mixed results between diversity indices and abundance of small mammals on treatment and control sites, complicating the picture. During periods of greater precipitation and resulting higher vegetation cover, species abundance and the Shannon-Wiener, Simpson's, and evenness indices all changed significantly, suggesting that the effect of marmots on other species varies based on environmental conditions.

Recommended load standards for pastures in arid zones of the Russian Federation

Livestock pastures are the main source of feed. However, they are vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts, which are constantly under stress and as a result affect biodiversity and the quality of the pasture ecosystem. When overloading of the permissible grazing rate of animals is allowed on pastures, depending mainly on the load of pastures by cattle, leads to irreparable changes in the ecological balance in nature. Analyzing the main points of the relationship between animals and pastures, some problems are highlighted, suggestions are given on pasture turnover schemes for the main forage lands. The aim of the study was the need for rational use of pastures for grazing cattle and cattle in the semi-desert zone of the Russian Federation. For this purpose, the norms of pasture load by cattle were calculated depending on their yield and nutritional value. The nutritional value of pastures depends on the species composition of the vegetation cover. The load rate is calculated for seasonal pastures.

Mechanisms of adaptation of crop production in the regions of the Volga Federal District to the consequences of global climate change

The purpose of the study is to substantiate promising directions for adapting the crop sub-sector of the regions of the Volga Federal District (VFD) to the consequences of global climate change and mechanisms for its provision. The authors considered the natural and climatic features of the territory of the Volga Federal District of the Russian Federation, studied the structure of crop producers. The indicators of crop yields are analyzed. A list of weather risks that are most often manifested in the regions of the Volga Federal District has been determined. Data are presented on the yield losses of spring wheat in dry years in the context of the federal districts of the Russian Federation from 1950 to 2020. An idea is obtained about the change in land use parameters in the medium and long term. The results obtained served as a rationale for such adaptive mechanisms of state support for the agro-industrial complex, such as insurance of agricultural risks, subsidizing reclamation work for all categories of small businesses, and allocating additional budgetary funds for the purchase of mineral (nitrogen and phosphorus) fertilizers. It is proposed to correct the list of subjects of the Russian Federation, the territories of which are classified as unfavorable for agricultural production, and include the Saratov and Orenburg regions in it. In these regions, a significant part of the territory is occupied by a semi-desert zone, and the sharp continental climate has become more pronounced. It is substantiated that the totality of the proposed measures will contribute to the accelerated adaptation of regional agrosystems to the consequences of global climate change.

Restoration of Degraded Lands in the Arid Zone of the European Part of Russia by the Method of Phytomelioration

In arid areas, it is necessary to apply phytomelioration widely to create an organized, stable and ecologically well-maintained forest–agrarian landscape in which agricultural lands can provide diverse and stable products, and to provide optimum ecologyfor the existence of a natural and anthropogenic system. The aim of this work is to select shrub and herbaceous plant species for the restoration of degraded lands in the arid zone of the European part of Russia with the prospect of preserving and increasing the productivity of native biodiversity, and the structure and dynamics of pasture ecosystems. The object of this study is the desert and semi-desert zone in the south-east of the European part of Russia within the Caspian lowland. The productivity of vegetation in the studied zone is largely determined by soil conditions, seasonal weather phenomena and animal grazing. The lowest forage productivity is characterized by the winter period with very strongly beaten white-field-grain pastures on unsalted, weakly- and medium-salted light chestnut soils; very strongly beaten bulbous-bluegrass-white-field pastures on saline deep, medium and strongly saline light chestnut soils; or medium-beaten black-wormwood and bulbous-bluegrass-black-wormwood pastures on small and crusty salt flats. The highest productivity is observed in the spring-summer period on unbroken areas of unsalted, weakly and medium saline light chestnut soils occupied by white-field cereal phytocenoses. The intensity of transpiration of perennial forage grasses growing on sandy loam soils of the dry steppe zone was measured. The analysis of biomorphological features of native forage species resistant to climate change and pasture load, and promising for phytomeliorative reconstruction of degraded pastures include: ecotypes of the genus Artemisia (A. pauciflora, A. Lercheana) and the genus Agropyron (A. cristatum, A. fragile, A. pectinatum), growing on various soils in natural conditions in the south-east of the European part of Russia. It was revealed that the seed productivity of Agropyron varieties varies within 0.5–4.0 c/ha depending on the variety, the method of sowing and climatic conditions of the year. To increase seed productivity, wide-row sowing with row spacing widths of 45 and 70 cm is promising.

Methods for using pastures in semi-desert zone of West Kazakhstan

The research allowed one to prove the seasonal organization of pasture economy using the distant pasture. The studies were carried out in 2018-2021 in the semi-desert zone of Western Kazakhstan. The aim of the research is to study and select the best ways to use pastures for organizing measures for their rational management. The soil of the areas of unsystematic and seasonal grazing is light chestnut medium loamy. Driving pastures are located in the sands zone. In the summer period, an increase in the number and occurrence of valuable pasture plants Kochia prostrata, Agropyron desertorum, Festuca valesiaca, Leymus ramosus, Koeleria cristata was noted on seasonal pastures. On the distant site of sandy pastures, 23 plant species of different economic and botanical groups have been determined, and due to the natural conditions of sands in the phytocenosis, the occurrence of valuable plants in the forage ratio is high. By the middle of summer, in the area of seasonal and distant pastures, despite the loss of forbs from the vegetation composition and drying of cereals, the yield of green phytomass was 0.81-1.03 t/ha, which is 0.43-0.65 t/ha. In this work, it was concluded that to improve the efficiency of pasture resource management, it is important to use seasonal pastures with the inclusion of a distant site in pasture rotation, which is the scientific novelty of the research.

Изучение адаптивного потенциала кормовых кустарниковых растений для использования в восстановлении деградированных полупустынных пастбищных экосистем

Abstract. Purpose. The study is aimed at carrying out an adaptation assessment of arid fodder shrubs for the restoration of degraded pasture ecosystems in the semi-desert zone of southern Russia in the modern conditions of climate aridization. Methods. An assessment is given of the adaptive capabilities, including the field germination of seeds, the response to drought, the yield of fodder shrubs of leafless Calligonum aphyllum, Eurotia ceratoides, and Kochia prostrata in modern climatic conditions on light chestnut soils. Results. The studies were carried out in severe arid climatic conditions (lack of productive moisture in the soil throughout the summer period) on infertile soils (humus content – 0.68–0.74 %). Field germination of seeds was 24.9 (Calligonum aphyllum), 32.6 (Kochia prostrata), 75.6 (Eurotia ceratoides). For the selected shrubs, the best sowing dates were determined – November – January. By the third year of the growing season, the height of the plants was 84–110 cm, which will contribute to the retention of snow in the pasture. All studied fodder shrubs, from May to September, had a yield higher than the natural grass stand of the pasture by 1.8–4.5 times. Scientific novelty. All the shrubs under study showed a high adaptive life potential in the arid semi-desert conditions of the study region, including high drought resistance, low demands on soil fertility and a long growing season (140–270 days), high productivity, which exceeded the natural herbage. The use of these shrubs in the restoration of degraded pastures will not only increase their productivity by 43–79 %, but also the nutritional value in terms of feed units by 1.3 times, in terms of digestible protein – by 1.7 times. All this will make it possible to increase the forage capacity of the restored pastures.

The Current State of the Vertebrate Animals Populations and their Role in the Persistence of Natural Zoonoses Foci in the Stavropol Territory

The aim of this study was to investigate the current state of vertebrates populations and to determine their role in maintaining natural foci of zoonoses in the Stavropol Territory in 2015–2019. Material and methods. Organ suspensions and blood samples from small mammals and birds were studied using certified diagnostic test-systems for the markers of Crimean hemorrhagic fever, West Nile fever, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, tularemia, and leptospirosis pathogens. The data were statistically processed using Wilson’s method. Results and discussion. Identified have been the main reservoirs of natural-focal infections in the Stavropol Territory at the present stage: birds – for the West Nile fever virus, mammals and birds inhabiting the areas of semi-desert landscape-geographical zone – for Crimean hemorrhagic fever agent. The main natural reservoir of orthohantaviruses in the Stavropol Territory is the common vole Microtus arvalis, which lives in all landscape-geographical zones. The circulation of tularemia and leptospirosis pathogens has been established throughout the whole territory of the region, the small wood mouse Sylvaemus uralensis is of the greatest epizootic significance. Findings indicate the need for further epizootiologic monitoring of Stavropol Territory in order to identify the biocenotic patterns of the pathogens’ existence and the reasons that determine the dynamics of the epizootic process and epidemic manifestations of natural foci. It is advisable to determine the sites of long-term monitoring over the number of carriers and vectors of natural-focal infections and strengthen the epizootiological control over the territory, especially during periods of seasonal activity in carriers and vectors of natural focal infections.

The current state of pastures in Western Kazakhstan, depending on the method of their use

The process of pasture resources management in Western Kazakhstan is complicated by the deterioration of vegetation cover with the manifestation of degradation and desertification processes as a result of unsystematic grazing. The aim of the research is to study distant pasture grazing on the productivity of pastures for their rational use. Field experiments were carried out in 2018–2021 on the pastures of the semi-desert zone of the Western Kazakhstan region on the territories of the “Miras” peasant farm in the Bokeyurdinsky district. As experimental plots, 4 pastures were selected, used in different ways: unsystematic, seasonal and distant pastures. 3 pasture areas are located on the relief part of the semi-desert zone, and the distant-pasture area is located in the sandy part of Ryn-Peski. To study the influence of the methods of use on the productivity of pastures on the polygon areas, regular observations of the quantitative and qualitative parameters (projective cover, height, species composition, yield) of phytocenoses were carried out. The research allowed to prove the seasonal organization of pasture economy using the distant pasture. In the summer period, an increase in the number and occurrence of valuable pasture plants Kochia prostrata, Agropyron desertorum, Festuca valesiaca, Leymus ramosus, Koeleria cristata was noted on seasonal pastures. On the distant site of sandy pastures, 23 plant species of different economic and botanical groups have been determined, and due to the natural conditions of sands in the phytocenosis, the occurrence of valuable plants in the forage ratio was high. By the middle of summer, in the area of seasonal and distant pastures, despite the loss of forbs from the vegetation composition and drying of cereals, the yield of green phytomass was 8.09–10.25 c/ha, which is higher than in the area of unsystematic grazing by 4.28–6.44 c/ha. In this work, it was concluded that to improve the efficiency of pasture resource management, it is important to use seasonal pastures with the inclusion of a distant site in pasture rotation, which is the scientific novelty of the research.

Current state and prospects for the development of agricultural land in the Nura River basin

The Nura River basin is located on the territory of Central Kazakhstan and is a single territorial-production structure with a developed industry that plays an important role in the economy of the entire Kazakhstan. Effective industrial development should be based on the well-tailored farming industry. However, significant continentality of the target basin, along with orographic conditions, predetermines high heat and power and scarce water resources, which negatively affect the crop productivity. The paper analyzes the current status of land reserves nearby the Nura River basin, with due account for climatic conditions and water availability, considers the modern composition and structure of cultivated areas, indicating the leading sectors constituting the farming industry, and also outlines the main directions and prospects for the development of agriculture for the coming period. It provides the rationale for sustainable agriculture along with industrial development of the basin. Due to the location of the basin in the zone of dry steppes and semi-desert zones, the paper shows the need to use irrigation reclamation as the main way to increase the crop yield.

Динамика отдельных ледников массива Мунку-Сардык (Восточный Саян) и хребта Карлыктаг (Восточный Тянь-Шань)

For more than ten years, the local features of the glaciation of individual mountain ranges of the inland part of Asia have been considered on the example of a transboundary transect from the latitudes of the middle taiga of the Baikal region, capturing the Mongolian Altai, to the Himalayas and are presented in the materials of the conferences “InterCarto. InterGIS”. The glaciers of the Eastern Tien Shan are interesting as part of this transect, located in the desert and semi-desert zones. The literature mainly considers the dynamics of glaciers of the central part of the Tien Shan, in the Urumqi region. In the northern part of the transect, the glaciers in the Eastern Sayan (nival-glacial objects of the Munku-Sardyk range) are the most studied. The dynamics of these glaciers is represented for more than 100 years. This paper considers changes in the glacier at the main peak of the Munku-Sardyk mountain range (Peretolchina glacier) and the little-studied glacier at the highest peak of the Karlyktag ridge of a similar northern exposure. Assessing the entire transect, it can be noted that the glaciers of the northern part of the transect (starting from the Kodar Range) are characterized by a significant decrease in thickness compared to their area changes and an increase in the rate of armoring by surface moraines. Moraine armoring of the lower part of the Karlyktag glacier also occurs, but not as significantly as that of the Peretolchina glacier. A comparison of the dynamics of the Karlyktag glacier and the Peretolchina glacier from Landsat remote sensing data shows that glaciers are shrinking to varying degrees. The open part of the Peretolchina glacier from the finite moraine of the Fernau stage decreased both in area and length by about half. The Karlyktag Glacier has decreased in length by about 25 %. It was significantly reduced in length in the early 1970s to 100 m/year. The decrease in area averaged at a rate of 0.03 km²/year. Over the past 20 years, the Peretolchina glacier has been shrinking in area at a rate of 0.005 km²/year, and for the entire observation period since 1900—0.004 km²/year. In terms of length over the same period, the glacier is shrinking at a rate of 5 m/year. Anomalous changes were revealed in the glaciers in question in 2013 and 2021. Similar processes were noted in the southern part of the transect (Himalayas) after the accumulation of a snow-ice mass, a catastrophic convergence of glaciers occurred in 2014 (in the area of Khumbu and Langtang).

Ontogenesis of <i>Elytrigia trichophora</i> (Link) Nevski in the Conditions of Uzbekistan (Biometric Indicators)

The article is devoted to the study of the biomorphological features of Elytrigia trichophora under conditions of introduction in the mountain semi-desert zone and the determination of their economic prospects for introduction into rainfed crops. The research results showed that, in the Tashkent area, the number of generative shoots is almost the same, but they are 30 - 31 cm long and the number of partial bushes is 4 - 5 more than in Chartak. The root system lengthens by 18 - 25 cm per year, and the number of roots of the first order in the third year of vegetation increases to 93.6 ± 2.31 pieces, they branch up to the III-IV order. The duration of medium-aged generative plants in the Chartak area is 5 - 6 years, and in the Tashkent area, it is 1 - 2 years longer.

Оценка способов использования пастбищ полупустынной зоны Западного Казахстана

Abstract. The authors presented research materials on the study of ways to use pastures in semi-desert zone of West Kazakhstan. Purpose. Study of ways of grazing farm animals to increase productivity and rational use of pastures. The research object is the pasture lands of “Miras” farm in West Kazakhstan region. The research tasks were to select the most effective way of grazing, ensuring preservation and improvement of quantitative and qualitative indicators of semi-desert zone pastures. The research scientific novelty is in the fact that the determined grazing methods allow rational use of pasture resources and increase feed capacity of pasture lands. The studies were carried out in a semi-desert zone of West Kazakhstan on a relief and sandy area of pastures. Results. Unsystematic use of pastures reduces quantitative and qualitative indicators. In summer studies, the highest content of weeds and poisonous plants (9 %) was found on a pasture of unsystematic grazing. When using this method, the proportion of cereals in the phytocenosis was at least 9 %. In the composition of the phytocenosis used in an unsystematic way, an increase in the proportion of wormwood was noted up to 15 %. Here, in comparison with the 2nd seasonal pastures, the share of herbs (poorly eaten) is also high – 21 %. On the pastures used in a unsystematic way in the spring, the yield of herbage reached only 3.81 c/ha, which is less than the seasonal pastures by 2.50–4.28 c/ha or 65.6–112.3 %. In a semi-desert zone, to provide agricultural animals with high-grade and high-quality fodder, as well as to create a stock and reduce the shortage of fodder, it is advantageous to use seasonal pastures with the inclusion of a distant pasture area in the pasture rotation. The use of distant areas for seasonal use of pastures, increasing the duration of the pasture period by 120 days, allows the farm to additionally create the volume of actual feed storage at the level of 5 499.5 centners, reducing the level of feed deficit by 2 119.7 centners or 81.03 %.

Агроэкология почв Гейчайского района Азербайджана

Goychay region has very suitable and unique lands for strategic agroecological monitoring. A dry steppe and semi-desert zone, which is characterized by a pronounced arid climate, is located at an altitude of 200–400 m above sea level, where the dominant soils in the territory are various subgroups of gray-brown soils and serozem types. The fact that soil studies in the Goychay region of the Azerbaijan Republic are less studied than in other regions, and there is no literature, is an innovative and urgent problem for soil scientists. The article presents some of the results of seasonal surveys, ecological expertise and biological diagnostics carried out in recent years. Biological diagnostics, environmental monitoring and assessment of these soils by modern methods are of great innovative importance for the development of agriculture in Azerbaijan. As a result of many years of agroecology research, the involvement of natural cenoses in agriculture has created conditions for obtaining high productivity from these soils

PSXI-20 Satellite analysis and monitoring of rangelands of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Abstract Kazakhstan ranks 5th in the world in terms of pasture area, with 30% of land used as pasture. Evaluating pasture resources is relevant for improving the pasture lands regulation system. Since 2018, National Space Agency has carried out the Ministry of Agriculture space pastures monitoring program. The main task is a seasonal satellite evaluation of the degradation productivity degree pasture vegetation. Thematic analysis remote sensing data from KazEOSat-1, 2 satellites and territory geoinformation made it possible to determine, with a high accuracy: land boundaries and areas, seasonal state and average vegetation type pastures productivity evaluation, integration with land cadastre data identified unaccounted pastures, and animal identification system made it possible to assess pastures load. Seasonal state pastures evaluation done by satellite parameter choice. The main factor influencing vegetation spectral properties is biomass increase. Spectral reflectance decreases in spectrum’s red part and near-IR range increases, vegetation index value changes. The vegetation index was used to create correct linear weighing system: vegetation parameters values (the green plant biomass volume projective leaf cover of the soil). To calculate seasonal productivity, GNDVI vegetation index used to more chlorophyll concentration than NDVI index. GNDVI showed best correlation calculating productivity, concidering exposed soil atmosphere influence. Satellite evaluation showed digital maps (pasture.gharysh.kz). The area was counted according to condition degradation and productivity. In Karaganda region’s Zhanaarkinsky district brown soils are widespread, with little humus, natural and man-made desertification is observed. The minimum productivity of pastures was 0–3 c / ha, average - 7.7 c / ha, maximum - 12–15 c / ha. In 2020, 73% (4,364.0 thousand hectares) pastures were poor assessed, 18.4% (1,104.3 thousand hectares) - very poor. The reason is the location in the desert and semi-desert zones, the annual rainfall is 150 mm. Degraded pastures in 2020 amounted to 449.1 thousand hectares (93.8% degradation of a low degree, 5.8% of a medium degree, 0.4% of a strong degree).

Geoecological estimate of grassland use in the desert and semi-desert zone of the Republic of Kalmykia

In the Republic of Kalmykia, natural grassland and hayfields is a pivotal structural component of the ecosystem occupying 2/3 of the total regional land available. Developed pastoralism mirrors the representativeness of the region in terms of socio-economic and environmental issues of arid territories. Intensive use of grassland in the last century led to the development of pasture digression that is regarded not only as a key integral component, but also a desertification factor. The major livestock farms are located in the most arid regions of the republic, which entails the risks of growing degradation and desertification processes. To encourage effective and sustainable economic activity, greater clarity is needed to understand the processes to occur on the land grazed by or suitable for grazing by livestock. To avoid a possible negative scenario, it is proposed to use advanced methods of monitoring forage lands – data of Earth’s remote sensing. The monitoring outcomes gathered in a 2000-to-2020 time span are presented herewith. Normalized difference vegetation indices are calculated for each target year. The highest average NDVI values are observed in the spring (March-April) and autumn (September-October) months. The grazing areas with different NDVI values that contribute to different productivity rates of the vegetation cover, were identified: less than 0.2 – greenless, from 0.2 to 0.4 – sparse vegetation, more than 0.4 – dense vegetation. The paper establishes areas of grazing acres varying in vegetation canopy in the semi-desert and desert zones. In 2000, 5.6% (over 0.4) of the total grazing area yielded the most productive value, with the value of NDVI 0.2-0.4 to make up 90.9%. In 2010, there was a trend towards a decrease in the productive area: a zone with more than 0.4 was 166.06 km2 or 0.5%, with 0.2-0.4 1,650.28 km2 or 4.9%. In 2015, the indicators increased significantly and the area of the productive NDVI value over 0.4 amounted to 83.23%, but in 2020 there was a sharp decrease in the area with live green vegetation to 3.1%.

Methodology for environmental assessment of agrolandscapes in arid zones

The article presents materials on the development of methodological tools for environmental assessment of agricultural landscapes in the conditions of aridization and global climate change. The research purpose consists in assessment of the state of agricultural landscapes in the dry steppe zone of chestnut soils in the Volgograd region and development of a theory of the formation of ecologically balanced agroforest landscapes and adaptive farming systems for conditions of insufficient moisture. The research has been carried out in the agrolandscapes of the dry steppe zone of dark chestnut soils of the Volgograd region on the territory of 3 farms with various types of agricultural technologies and farming systems. The research methodology is based on extensive analysis and synthesis of scientific literature and includes special research methods. As a result of the research, we have determined the principles, classification and directions of ecological development of agrolandscapes. The method has been developed for the relative assessment of soil fertility in agroforest landscapes of the Volgograd region based on a system of indicators. The methodology and the system of criteria for direct, indirect and integrated assessment of the state of agricultural landscapes in the dry-steppe and semi-desert zones of the Volgograd region have been tested. The present research will become the basis for developing the theory of formation of ecologically balanced agricultural landscapes and adaptive farming systems for conditions of insufficient moisture zones in the south of Russia.

Ecological plasticity and stability of promising varieties of winter soft wheat in the Northern Caspian region

The article presents the results of environmental tests of promising varieties of winter soft wheat of various selections in the harsh climatic conditions of the semi-desert zone of the Northern Caspian Sea. Based on the data obtained in different years of moisture availability, the varieties that are characterized not only by high productivity, but also by the ability to form stable yields in specific soil and climatic conditions are identified. The coefficients of adaptability, plasticity, and stress resistance were calculated based on the "yield" indicator. As a result of three-year studies, the most productive and highly ecological adaptations were distinguished by the varieties Berezit and Kamyshanka 2, whose yield over the years of research averaged 1.40 t / ha and 1.18 t / ha, and the coefficient of adaptability was 1.58 and 1.14, respectively. It should be noted that the variety Kamyshanka 2 also had the highest index of resistance to environmental stress factors.

The earliest transverse grooved stones of Eurasia: Near Eastern distribution, types and chronology

Transverse grooved stones (TGS) believed to be used as shaft straighteners, first made their appearance at Epipalaeolithic sites in the Near East from where they spread to the Mediterranean coasts of Africa and Europe, but mostly to Northern Eurasia (the steppe, forest-steppe, and semi-desert zones). It has been discovered that the spread of TGA has been carried out along different paths. Moreover, grooved stones along each of these transmission routes can be distinguished by their unique decorative and morphological characteristics.
 The aim of this paper is to clarify the circumstances and the date of appearance of the first TGS, localization of their initial areas, and identification of their respective decorative and morphological features. This is a necessary condition for identifying the starting points of the subsequent transit carriers of TGS' tradition and tracing the directions of interaction in Eurasia during the end of the Pleistocene – the first half of the Holocene period using TGS as markers.
 The initial database was formed on the basis of the scientific publications on the Near East. The following is a presentation of the analytical review of at least 200 grooved stones and 80 sites in their starting area in south-western Asia. The analysis used a systematic approach with emphasis on chronology, environment, petrography, morphology, functional-typological data where such were available, and TGS’ decor. But first of all, the study pays attention to the distribution of TGS and their cultural and chronological boundaries in this region. For this purpose, it was performed the mapping of findings in two chronological levels – up to 8000 thousand BCE and after, with the marking of decorated products.
 The results enabled us to detect that the geographical spread of grooved artefacts of this type is limited in the Near East to the area of central Anatolia and Fertile Crescent, with a boundary along the desert-steppes. At least three concentrations can be clearly distinguished: the Levant, Zagros Mountains, and Upper Mesopotamia - central Anatolia, where the products are characterized by specific features of decorative and morphological design and in one case (Levant) an additional observed petrographic specificity. Currently, the earliest cases are recorded in Early Natufian contexts in the Levant and in Epipalaeolithic contexts of the Anatolian plateau since the 13th millennium cal BCE. Thus, one can confidently state that the introduction of TGS in the Middle East is generally linked to the Epipalaeolithic sites (Natufian, Harifian, and Western Zarzian) and is definitely associated with hunter-gatherers. The heyday of TGS falls on the PPNA and lasts to the beginning of the early Bronze Age, when they finally disappear.