Semi-desert Zone Research Articles

«Владельцы песков»: пескоукрепительные работы на землях кочевых народов Юга России (ногайцев, калмыков и туркмен) в XIX – начале XX веков

The publication examines the organization of sand protection works carried out in semi–desert zones of Southern Russia in the XIX - early XX centuries. Despite separate publications on measures to combat desertification in the Russian Empire, sand protection activities that unfolded in the XIX – early XX centuries on the lands of the nomadic peoples of Southern Russia (Nogais, Kalmyks and Turkmens) did not become the subject of separate works, which determines the nov-elty of the study. The peculiarities of the natural, climatic and geographical living conditions of nomads and their irrational use of arid zones as pasture lands for their livestock were factors that caused the rapid growth of sands in the XIX – early XX centuries. Sand protection works in the south and officials of the sand-ravine parties and the corps of foresters of the Forest Department, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of State Property, carried south-east of Russia out. The ac-tivities of sand protection organizations included experimental measures to combat desertifica-tion, which included husking and grass sowing on the sands, sowing sandy oats, removing sands from the use of their owners, forestry and horticulture in the steppe. The source base of the study was materials extracted from the State Archives of the Stavropol Territory (GASK) funds: 153 «Forester of the Stavropol sandy-ravine district» and 247 «Stavropol Provincial Forest Protection Committee». Historiographical works on the study of the problem include publications by pre–revolutionary, Soviet and modern researchers involved in combating desertification in Southern Russia in the XIX - early XX centuries. The analysis of materials and sources made it possible to trace the peculiarities of the activities of central and regional authorities, local societies (A.D. – owners of sands), and other organizations that participated in sand protection works during the historical period under consideration. The conclusion is formulated that the sand protection activi-ty that unfolded in the South of Russia in the XIX – early XX centuries. It included many forest reclamation works, the purpose of which was to curb the process of desertification of pasture and agricultural lands of Nogais, Kalmyks and Turkmens, which in turn was a measure of protection and guardianship of the life, health and economic and cultural activities of nomadic peoples with-in the Russian Empire.

Eco-physiological characteristics of Corylus colurna and Taxus baccata in Armenia under in situ and ex situ conditions

Thanks to the special state policy in Armenia, people's interest in nature has increased. People try to get acquainted with the world of plants not only in nature, but also in botanical gardens. It is very important to include rare and beautiful species of local flora in botanical gardens․ This process sometimes requires acclimatization of the targeted species, for example in case of Corylus colurna L. and Taxus baccata L. Our study highlights for the first time the results of an eco-physiological study (water content, intensity of transpiration and photosynthetic productivity) of two rare woody plant species C. colurna and T. baccata, growing in the wild in Armenia. We investigated the patterns of physiological behavior of the plants under different climatic conditions. Being highly valuable ornamental and rare species, ex situ conservation tools are applied to them in the appropriate structures of the country, among them the mesophyll forest, lower forest and semidesert zones. Obviously, we can conclude that for all indicators our most arid conditions are in the semidesert zone, at the same time often the conditions of the mesophyll forest zone are more favorable than those of the natural localities. The results of this research also show that acclimatization can help these species to be successfully preserved even in places where they grow very poorly under natural conditions or even disappear. According to the results of the studies carried out, it can be concluded that the two studied species at present can be grown in the semidesert zone as well.

Эколого-биологические методы формирования устойчивых лесомелиоративных комплексов в степных и полупустынных ландшафтах европейской территории России

The arid region of the European territory of Russia includes a zone of dry steppe (dark chestnut soils) and a semi-desert zone (light chestnut and brown soils). There is practically no woody natural vegetation in the region on elevations and plains, and on the prevailing complexes of zonal soils, forest plantations are characterized by low durability. Materials and methods. The work used the results of field (expedition) and laboratory studies of the growth, condition, durability, productivity of protective forest plantations of tree and shrub species in various soil and hydrological conditions of the dry-steppe and semi desert zones. Results and discussion. The author’s developments made it possible to recommend a reliable range of trees and shrubs for the creation of forest-reclamation plantations in each agroforestry area and soil ecological niche. It was revealed that when selecting the assortment, a significant role should be given to selection and genetic methods of using seed and planting material well adapted to local conditions (drought-, salt- and frost-resistant and healthy genotypes). The main reason for the early drying of protective plantations on complex light chestnut soils of the dry-steppe and semi-desert zones has been established. Taking into account the extremely arid conditions and the main causes of their drying, the concept of increasing their stability and effectiveness in adverse growing conditions is given. Agroforestry zoning and groups of soil forest suitability by type and classification, as well as groups of longevity of the main tree species are given. Conclusion. The large diversity of soils contributes to the formation of a stepped profile in adult cereals. Woody species shrink when their root system comes into contact with salt horizons. Ecological techniques are reduced to the correct selection of tree species that correspond to a specific ecological background. The technological use of differentiated agricultural cultivation techniques involves the use of moisture-saving technologies. Biological measures include biological reclamation of unsuitable soils and methods of breeding and genetic improvement of the qualitative composition of forest reclamation plantations. Suggestions for practical applications and directions for future research. The results of the work can be used by managers and specialists of forestry enterprises, researchers, graduate students, students of educational institutions. The assortment of trees and shrubs can be used in the design of plantings of various types on different soils.

Redistribution of Hydrothermal Resources on Different Elements of the Microrelief of Soils in the Semi-desert Zone and Agrolandscapes under Wheat

In the semi-desert regions of Azerbaijan there are habitats with varying elevations of only a few tens of centimeters. The zonal soils on the territory of the massif are gray-brown soils. Gray-brown soils develop under ephemeral plant cover. The soil is carbonate throughout the entire profile. Below the carbonate horizon lies a layer enriched with sulfates in the form of veins of crystalline gypsum. The content of absorbed sodium in the gray-brown soils of the deluvial plain of the Siyazan-Sumgait massif is 30-50% of the number of absorbed bases in the Solonetz-Columnar soil horizon. The amount of humus in the upper layers of the soil fluctuates between 1-2%, towards the bottom it sharply decreases. In studies carried out on gray-brown soils of the Siyazan-Sumgait massif, hydrothermal potential indicators vary within the range of 426-552 m3/ha. The distribution of temperature and humidity in depth in the soil under wheat differs from the natural habitat. In the arable layer, the temperature is evenly distributed throughout the entire profile, while the humidity gradually increases in the lower layers. The influence of the hydrothermal regime on wheat yield was: 2022 — 24.0-30.0 cwt/ha; 2023 — 16.0-24.5 cwt/ha.

Transformation of the relief of the southern Astrakhan region (Russia) after the expansion of agricultural land at the beginning of the last century

To establish the causes and consequences of changes in the relief of the southern Astrakhan region in the period 1900–1970.Comparison of cartographic materials of past years with data in recent satellite remote sensing images. The materials were superimposed on a geoformation program: then the hydrological elements of the relief and the Baer hills were outlined and measured for the purpose of quantitative and qualitative analysis of changes in the territory (before and after reclamation works and the currently existing relief).The analysis of the materials revealed a significant transformation of the relief, which has served as an impetus for the development of a semidesert zone in this area.The work carried out revealed the anthropogenic impact on the relief through which most of the territory was subject to drainage as a result of reclamation works to increase in arable land.

Оценка состояния государственных защитных лесных полос Саратовской области на основе данных дистанционного зондирования Земли и геоинформационных технологий

The geographical location of the Saratov oblast enables detailed studying the factors influencing the condition of forest plantations. The territory stretches from northwest to southeast in forest-steppe, steppe and semi-desert zones. Average annual precipitation there ranges from 450 mm per year in the northwestern regions to 250 mm in the southeast. On the right bank of the Volga, the most common soils are

Insulating materials for the construction of houses with natural fibers of Yucca spp., Agave lechuguilla and Super absorbent synthetic fibers

The building physics aspects for thermal insulation in building construction are presented in brief. Different demands are placed on the thermal insulation material. In addition to the thermal insulation capacity, the price and the regional availability are important. From this perspective the use of fiber plants occurring in the semi-desert (semi-arid) zones of Mexico and an industrial waste material is being investigated.

Breeding and Seed Farming of Desert Forage Plants in Uzbekistan

The article provides a description of the best-zoned varieties of desert forage plants intended for the intensification of fodder production in the semi-desert and desert zones of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The features of agricultural technology for creating highly productive pasture agrophytocenoses in desert and semi-desert zones are given. In the breeding of desert fodder plants, traditional methods were widely used, which consider the biological characteristics of the reproduction of each particular species. The created local varieties of desert fodder plants contributed to the creation of highly productive pasture agrophytocenoses in the conditions of deserts and semi-deserts of Uzbekistan with fodder productivity of 19-27.0 q/ha of dry weight.

Meat productivity and interior features of fat-tailed coarse wool lambs in the south-east of Kazakhstan

Increased lamb production in the South-Eastern region of Kazakhstan confirms the economic feasibility of processing young sheep from 7 to 12 months. Unfortunately, domestic literature offers little information on the selection and appropriate use of 4-month-old lambs for this purpose; this accounts for the relevance and both scientific and practical significance of research aimed at increasing the meat productivity of 4-month-old lambs (depending on breed) in the semi-desert zone of the South-Eastern region of Kazakhstan, based on technological developments. The object of the study was lambs of fat-tailed coarse wool breeds: Edilbay, Hissar and Kazakh fat-tailed breeds. The animals were 4 months old and kept from birth in one flock at the Yntykbay farm in Almaty region. Among the three studied breeds, Gissar stands out in terms of carcass weight, slaughter weight, and specific gravity of the meat and carcass. High-quality carcasses were obtained from all groups; the Hissar breed had the yield of 17.5 kg (carcass yield was 78.3%).

Functionality of Zonal Agroforestry Systems on Agricultural Land of Dry Territories

In this study, agroforestry systems (AFSs) are represented by zonal type using the example of agricultural lands of the administrative districts of the Volgograd region for the first time. The average percentage of forest cover in the territories for these categories of land was 0.9%, with the following distribution by zone: real steppe—1.3%; dry steppe—0.97%; and semidesert—0.6%. Cartographic analysis of the spatial distribution of areas of artificial forest plantations, presented in the form of background cartograms, showed the greatest spatial asymmetry and variability in the forest cover index in the semidesert zone (As = 1.68; Ex = −4.08). This is due to the large variation in indicators by occupied space, namely AFS, agricultural land, and arable land. The calculated area of arable land under AFS protection averaged 35% for the region, with the following distribution by zone: real steppe—47% of the area of the zone; dry steppe—22%; and semidesert—82%. The author’s methodological approach presents the exposed AFS area of arable land as open and closed territories. The open territory of the spring period (March) is land at risk of deflation since it is completely free of plants (black fallows, areas covered by spring crops, and tilled crops). It makes up 67% of the exposed area of AFSs. The annual removal of soil from this area of the region was calculated via mathematical analysis. It amounted to 3.08 × 107 tons. Analysis of the AFS species composition showed the following distribution of species: deciduous species—86%; mixed species—8%; and coniferous—6%. This model can be applied to many arid areas to calculate deflationary losses and the amount of additional AFSs needed.

Distribution of Malacostracans (Malacostraca, Arthropoda) in Rivers of the Semidesert Zone (Based on the Example of Volgograd Reservoir Tributaries)

Distribution of Malacostracans (Malacostraca, Arthropoda) in Rivers of the Semidesert Zone (Based on the Example of Volgograd Reservoir Tributaries)

Features of the Population Dynamics of Larks (Alaudidae, Aves) in the Semi-Desert Zone of the Saratov Trans-Volga Region

Features of the Population Dynamics of Larks (Alaudidae, Aves) in the Semi-Desert Zone of the Saratov Trans-Volga Region

Dynamics of bioactive substances accumulation during cauliflower maturation as a way to ensure functional crop properties

Background: Cauliflower heads are recognized as a rich sources of proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, numerous mineral elements, vitamins, and a high content of bioactive substances. Some studies report that the dynamics of accumulation of bioactive substances in cauliflower can be influenced by various factors. Objective: To determine the dependence of the content of bioactive components (ascorbic acid, B vitamins, macronutrients) on the stage of maturity of cauliflower heads and on the growing period.Methods: The study investigated the variation in vitamin C, B group vitamins (thiamine, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, nicotinic acid, inositol), and seven macronutrients (silicon, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium) during different stages of head ripening and cultivation periods in medium-ripening hybrids of cauliflower, specifically ‘Rocky F1’ and ‘Unibotra F1’. Ascorbic acid content in cauliflower heads was determined by the titration method. Quantitative analysis of the water-soluble B group vitamins was performed spectrophotometrically. The content of macronutrients was determined by the chemical-spectral method.Results: The maximum content of ascorbic acid in cauliflower Rocky F1 hybrid was observed at the stage of the heads technical ripening in spring cultivation conditions, and in Unibotra F1 hybrid - in the phase of new head formation in summer growing conditions. The content of group B vitamins, with the exception of pantothenic acid, was high in newly formed heads in both studied hybrids. In the conditions of spring cultivation, most of the studied macronutrients were high for Rocky F1 hybrid in the stage of technical ripening of heads, and for Unibotra F1 hybrid in the phase of new head formation (Si, Al, Na, P) and in middle ripening stage (Ca, Mg). Under the conditions of summer cultivation, most of the macronutrients were high for Rocky F1 hybrid in the phase of new head formation, and in Unibotra F1 hybrid - Si, Al, P were high in the phase of new head formation, and Ca, Mg, K - in middle ripening stage. Conclusion: The content of bioactive components (ascorbic acid, B vitamins, macronutrients) in cauliflower heads is influenced by the stage of cauliflower maturity and the cultivation period (spring, summer). This should be taken into account when developing targeting diets and growing cauliflower in semi-desert zones of the Republic of Armenia.Keywords: ascorbic acid, B vitamins, macronutrients, cauliflower head ripening stage

SEMANTIC VALENCE OF THE WORD "CAMEL" AND ITS AUTOMATION METHODS IN THE NATIONAL CORPUS

This study analyzes the compatibility and semantic valence of the word "camel" in linguistic science. The purpose of the paper is to propose ways to verbalize the semantic valence of the word "camel" of the conceptual knowledge that served as the basis for it. Camel is a conceptual concept that has formed the image of the Kazakh ethnic world. It has more than 500 combined complex concepts. Because the camel occupies a special place in the life of the Kazakh people. The natural qualities and functions of the camel are the most important quality, endurance and tolerance and a tendency to a semi-desert zone have been widely recognized due to the combination with the word "camel" in the language system. There is also a special way to formalize and verbalize some concepts that represent the ethnic picture of the world on linguistic resources. Thus, it is quite possible to make a separate subcorpus of conceptual names representing the ethnic image of the Kazakhs from the National Corpus of the Kazakh language. The National Corpus provides effective ways of expressing the conceptual image of the concept, including the ethnic one. The cultural code of phrases semantically combined with the word camel is revealed. Why is the abundance of ethno-marked names related to camels determined in the Kazakh worldview? Since the concept of "image of the world picture" is the subject of interdisciplinary research, it is studied from different angles in each field. Since the worldview is an indicator of mental interpretation, it serves as a cognitive unit that asserts each nation has different knowledge about an abstract concept for a person. Having determined the ability to combine the word "camel" with such potential, we were convinced that the types of camels, the nature of the camel, the functions of the camel, and the connotative attribute that is actively used in describing a person, plant, animal, appearance, and character of a person. Automatization of the text related to the word "camel" is also carried out through a search system. By linking texts to the word "camel", it is quite possible to link them to the semantic designation in the sentence in which the phrase is involved.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PLANTS AS A FACTOR IN ASSESSING THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF FOREST PASTURES OF THE NORTH-WESTERN CASPIAN SEA

The article presents the results of an assessment of the chemical composition and nutritional value of the most common vegetation of various life forms (trees, semi-shrubs, perennial grasses) in the forest pastures of the semi-desert zone of the Northwestern Caspian Sea. The research was carried out on forested pasture areas of the Neftekumsky district of the Stavropol Territory. The basis of the research was the laboratory-field method. The twig-leaf and herbaceous phytomass of forest pastures, in accordance with its chemical indicators of organic matter content, meets zootechnical requirements. The maximum protein content is observed in spring in the woody greenery of Ulmus pumila (at the level of 18.19%) and decreases in autumn (17.4%). In addition, it was found that the twig-leaf mass of Ulmus pumila has a relatively high feed value (0.68 f.u., 8.5 Mj, digestible protein 62.67 g/kg) than herbaceous species and is a large reserve in forest pastures during drought or absence of herbaceous vegetation before the establishment of snow cover. As a result of the research, it was also found that during the dry period (summer) in the grass-grass and grass-grass phytocenoses, there is a low protein content (less than 10%) and a high fiber content (34.0–35.13%). The nutritional value of plants in general on man–made forest pastures is 0.25–0.68 fodder units, while 1 kg of feed contains 31.0–78.48 g of digestible protein. The fat content in the analyzed plants in the territory under consideration is small (1.10–4.23%), and the content of nitrogen-free extractives is quite high (30.44–65.2%) regardless of the season of the year. According to the content of macronutrients, a deficiency of phosphorus (P) was detected according to the norms. Accordingly, with constant grazing of animals in these areas, it is necessary to additionally include feed additives containing this element in the diet for the prevention of deficiency and diseases.

Биоэкологическая характеристика уникальных природных и искусственных популяций дуба на полупустынных ландшафтах Волгоградской области

Биоэкологическая характеристика уникальных природных и искусственных популяций дуба на полупустынных ландшафтах Волгоградской области

Adaptive potential of winter triticale varieties in arid conditions of the Northern Caspian

In the semi-desert zone of the north-west of the Astrakhan region in 2020-2022, studies on agroecological variety testing of promising winter triticale varieties were conducted on the rainfed field of the Pre-Caspian Arid Federal Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The purpose of the research is to determine the parameters of adaptability of highly productive varieties of winter triticale for cultivation in arid conditions of the Northern Caspian Sea. There were five varieties of domestic selection in the work (Testament, Zimogor, PRAG-152, Sergius and Forte). Records, observations and analyses were carried out according to the methodology of the State Audit, the methodology of B.A. Dospekhov was used for statistical processing; the methodology of S.A. Eberhart and W.A. Russell was used to calculate the parameters of adaptability, as presented by V.A. Zykin and others. The article presents the parameters of adaptability of the studied varieties in years with varying degrees of moisture: regression coefficient (bi), variance (HCP05), stress resistance (Ymin - Ymax), genetic flexibility (Ymax+Ymin)/2), stability (S2i). Depending on the behavior of varieties in various meteorological growing conditions, a promising high-yielding (2.64 t/ha) winter triticale Forte variety with high genetic flexibility (2.57) was identified. The selected Forte variety has good plasticity (the linear regression coefficient is above one - 1.13) and genetic stability (S2i = 0.006), therefore it can be recommended for industrial cultivation in difficult arid conditions of the semi-desert of the Northern Caspian.

Spatial aggregation patterns in four mistletoe species: ecological and environmental determinants.

Plant spatial distribution is an important topic in ecology as it determines species coexistence and biodiversity dynamics. Usually, plants show clustered distributions in nature. Mistletoes are a good example of aggregated distributions, as they form dense aggregations due to several factors (availability of competent hosts, seed dispersal vectors, microclimate conditions). We analysed four native mistletoe species with divergent life histories and host ranges: Desmaria mutabilis and Tristerix corymbosus from the temperate rainforests of southern Chile; and Tristerix aphyllus and Tristerix verticillatus from the northern semi-desert zone. While T. corymbosus and T. verticillatus have a wide host range, T. aphyllus and D. mutabilis are specialists that can parasitize only a few plant species. We hypothesized that specialized species would be more aggregated due to ecological and environmental restrictions. We used heterogeneous Poisson models to quantify spatial aggregation. Three of the four mistletoe species were spatially clustered at both environments, with aggregation being stronger in the temperate rainforest of southern Chile and particularly in the host-specialist species. Our results suggest that environmental constraints are more important than ecological constraints (host range) in shaping mistletoe spatial structure. Mistletoe aggregated spatial distribution depends primarily on the environment that they inhabit, which conditions host spatial availability, and arrangement.

The strength of growth and early fruitfulness of autumn apple varieties in the specific conditions of the Astrakhan region

Data on the study of apple varieties of the autumn ripening period according to the main economically valuable indicators are presented. The experience was laid in the Caspian Agrarian Federal Scientific Center on the territory of an experimental orchard in 2018. The purpose of the research is to study introduced apple varieties according to the main economically valuable indicators and identify the best ones for creating intensive plantings in the semi–desert zone of the Northern Caspian. The main indicators of the evaluation of 7 apple varieties of the autumn ripening period were such indicators as survival, growth strength, fertility and fruiting. As a result of the study, it was found that there was no damage to trees in winter. The survival rate of the varieties was good and amounted to 63.6...100.0 %. A more compact crown was formed in Cherry, Lambourne and Uman winter varieties (0.2...0.8 m2). The most rapid-fruiting varieties are Lambourne and Galacube, which had a harvest in the third year of the growing season. The yield of varieties reached 0.1...1.8 kg/d. The largest fruits were in the Stark Red Gold variety (164.0 g), which exceeded the Cherry control by 0.6% (163.0 g). Complex resistance to scab, brown spotting and rust was distinguished by the Talida variety.

Influence of Cattle Grazing Methods on Changes in Vegetation Cover and Productivity of Pasture Lands in the Semi-Desert Zone of Western Kazakhstan

Influence of Cattle Grazing Methods on Changes in Vegetation Cover and Productivity of Pasture Lands in the Semi-Desert Zone of Western Kazakhstan