Steppe Zone Of Russia Research Articles

Modeling soil carbon accumulation in irrigated agricultural systems

In contemporary circumstances characterized by climate change and increased pressure on agricultural ecosystems, determining the impact of irrigation levels on soil carbon dynamics becomes a pertinent task. This study aims to determine the impact of irrigation rates on soil carbon dynamics using agricultural system modeling. The simulations were conducted by LPJ-GUESS Education 3.0. The results were analyzed using the analogy method. Changes in soil carbon accumulation were quantified in three agricultural systems representing the desert, semi-desert, and steppe zones of Russia. Results show an increase in soil carbon accumulation in all biomes and a decrease in ecosystem carbon exchange. These findings suggest that irrigation rates developed for desert, semi-desert, and steppe biomes were effective. The results of this study can be applied to irrigated and rainfed agriculture. The obtained data not only corroborate the positive influence of irrigation levels on carbon accumulation in soil across various biomes but also unveil prospects for the development of sustainable agricultural practices. This study aims at optimizing the utilization of water resources, which may contribute to fostering ecosystem resilience within the agricultural sector.

Modeling Dynamics of Soil Erosion by Water Due to Soil Organic Matter Change (1980–2020) in the Steppe Zone of Russia

This research aims to evaluate the dynamics of soil loss through soil erosion by water in agricultural lands in steppe areas using a modification of the RUSLE2 model from the 1980s to the 2010s. The calculation was performed using a raster model of data that included a model of the slope angle, slope length, soil erodibility, rainfall and snowmelt erosivity factors, types of land use, and cover management factor. All data were taken from open sources. The average soil erosion in the territory studied amounted to 1.48 t ha−1 year−1 in the 1980s and 1.72 t ha−1 year−1 in the 2010s. The discrepancy with other studies was 12% for the level of the 1980s and 2–7% for the level of the 2010s. The main factor leading to an increase in soil loss was soil erodibility due to the loss of soil organic matter, which affected about 52% of the studied lands. The increase in the amount of soil loss occurred against a background of compensating processes: reduction in precipitation and climate change (getting drier), as well as the overgrowth of agricultural lands with natural steppe vegetation. Modified model RUSLE2 has shown good results correlated with other studies for the research area.

Создание лесных культур сосны крымской (Pinus pallasiana D. Don) на бугристых песках в степной зоне России

Forest crop cultivation of Crimean pine (Pinus pallasiana D. Don) was implemented in 2009–2020 on sandy and sand included soils in the steppe zone of the European part of Russia. During the analysis of the reasons for the low efficiency of reforestation, the authors proposed the hypothesis that the rules of planting recommended for Scots pine relative to the depth of rooting may not be acceptable for Crimean pine. The purpose of the work is to substantiate the necessity and the most optimal value of deepening the root collar of Crimean pine seedlings on hilly sands. Experimental forest cultures were planted in 2017. The depth of the plant collar relative to the soil surface was tested at 0, 2, 4, 6 cm, and until the seedling’s foliated part. The reference group was created by machine cultivation, which required a rooting depth of 6 cm or more. In the case of hand cultivation, the variants with planting depths of 2 and 4 cm had the highest rates of plant survival (94.2–94.6 % in the first year), plant safety (67.0–94.6 % in the fourth year), and their most even distribution over the silvicultural area (variation coefficient (υ) at 6.6–28.8 %). The lack of deepening and very deep planting by 6 cm led to a decrease in plant survival and preservation by 7.6–18.6 % with an increase in the range of the variation coefficient (υ, 10.2–60.6 %). The mechanized planting with a root collar depth over 6 cm gave the lowest number of preserved plants (58.4 % in the first year, 32.7 % in the fourth year), and the greatest range for the variation coefficient (υ, 30.5–70.1 %). An analytical equalization of the density of age dynamics showed that the predicted density would not reach the normative value with low and very deep planting. The established statistically significant differences in the survival rate of forest cultures throughout the observation period (tf = 2.12–4.38> t05 = 2.12–2.45) indicated the expediency of deepening the root collar. The optimal value is 2–4 cm, but until the seedling’s foliated part. For citation: Turchina T.A., Bannikova O.A. Creation of Forest Cultures of Crimean Pine (Pinus pallasiana D. Don) on the Hilly Sands in the Steppe Zone of Russia. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 4, pp. 76–92. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-4-76-92

ЛЕСООБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНЫЙ ПРОЦЕСС В ПРЕДЕЛЬНО УЗКОЙ ПОЛЕЗАЩИТНОЙ ЛЕСНОЙ ПОЛОСЕ

In the last 30 years, hundreds of thousands of hectares of young shelterbelts in the forest-steppe and steppe zones of Russia were left without proper forest management, and their condition is deteriorating every year. Forest belts are losing their protective and ameliorative functions, while the degradation of agricultural landscapes under the pressure of intensive production continues. For the successful functioning of agricultural landscapes, the presence of forest components is necessary, as stated by the founder of Russian soil science, prof. V.V. Dokuchaev. The article reveals the process of evolution of the forest belt, consisting of a narrow chain of English oak biogroups into a full-fledged forest biocenosis. Forest elements are formed in the forest belt: forest edge, forest litter, self-sowing of oak, Norway maple, red leaved ash, pear, hawthorn and blackthorn. The unsatisfactory condition of 58-year-old oak trees grown per 1 m2 from two to twelve pieces without thinning has been analyzed. The authors came to the conclusion that Yu. Odum's theory of "mutual assistance" among individuals of a biogroup is valid only at the initial period of development of a single plant of a biogroup, after which competition begins. To obtain a viable biogroup, it is necessary to regulate the number of plants, in this case, oak trees. The process of regulation should be started from the moment of closing the crowns in the biogroup

Issues on soil moisture management substantiation for the steppe conditions in the European part of Russia

Issues on irrigation substantiation for the crops cultivated in the steppe zone of Russia are considered in the paper. The crop yields are moistly limited by low soil moisture in steppe conditions. To increase crop yields irrigation is required but it may cause environmental issues (for example, soil fertility reduction). Therefore, hydro-reclamation impact estimation on the environment remains relevant. To provide the ecologically friendly irrigation, it is necessary to consider both the requirements crops and soil biota demands. Soil biota state should be an indicator of the ecological state of the soils to conserve soil fertility. Calculations were carried out for various agro-hydrological areas in order to take into account the spatial heterogeneity of soil moisture distribution. The results of the research help to determine the environmentally friendly ranges of soil moister management. The calculations, carried out on the example of spring wheat, showed a high probability of the need for irrigation. The requirements on environmentally friendly irrigation increase the probability of the need for irrigation as well as wheat yields. The relationship between the probability of irrigation necessity and average long-term soil moisture in the meter soil layer is obtained. The results of the research will help to consider the issues of soil moisture heterogeneity more thorough.

UAV Lidar for Investigation Archaeology Sites in European Part of Russian Federation

In 2018–2021 an unmanned aerial laser scanning (ALS) project has been implemented in the forest, forest-steppe and steppe zones of Russia. During this period project was carried out at 28 area sites in Smolensk, Tver, Moscow, Penza, Vladimir, Tula, Orel, Briansk regions, Mordovia and Krasnodar Krai. The total study area amounted to 4601,79 ha. In the course of the work were investigated more than 2286 burials, 44 settlements and fortresses and other objects (fortifications, footings, old traces of excavations etc.). The UAV-based ALS has proven high effectivity for exploration activities over large areas and in conditions of difficult and inaccessible terrain for fixation and becomes the most mobile and efficient solution. The low flight altitude, the low speed, the possibility of operational repeated flights, the mobility of the equipment itself allow to reach very high figures on the number of ground points per 1 sq. m (20/25 – 86). The right combination of ALS and ortho photogrammetry support to finding, mapping and public registration archaeological objects and sites. Nevertheless, a prerequisite for full use is the verification of ALS data during exploration activities using modern non-invasive technologies.

Wind resistance of southern carbonate and ordinary сhernozems in agroforest landscapes of the steppe zone of Russia

Relevance. The rate of destruction of chernozems in the steppe zone as a result of deflation is very high. There is a threat of their loss of the humus horizon. To optimize the complex of protective measures, it is necessary to establish the regularities of the formation of wind resistance of these soils.Methods. The seasonal dynamics of the structure of the upper layer (0–5 cm) of chernozems of the steppe zone of the Lower Volga region and the Central Pre-Caucasus in the network of forest belts is studied. The aggregate composition was determined by fractionation of an air dry sample. The wind resistance of the soil was assessed by the total content of particles with a diameter of less than 1 mm.Results. It has been established that the open surface of southern carbonate chernozems is deflationary dangerous at any time of the year. Two spraying peaks were revealed — in early spring and before harvesting grain crops. In the first period, the content of particles with a diameter of less than 1 mm was 33–47%, in the second — 60–61%. Shelter forest belts reduced soil spraying in the zone of effective influence. A change in the internal structure of the deflationally dangerous fraction was detected during the year. The disintegration of large aggregates and an increase in the volume of smaller ones were observed. By the harvesting period, the number of particles with a diameter of 0.5–1.0 mm decreased by 1.7–2.6 times compared to the spring. Number of aggregates with a diameter of 0.1–0.5 mm, most strongly blown by the wind, increased by 1.3–1.8 times. The total dispersion of ordinary chernozem is almost two times lower than that of southern chernozem. However, the amount of particles with a diameter of 0.1–0.5 mm in the deflationary dangerous fraction of southern carbonate chernozem in the spring period is 37%, during the harvesting period — 50–56%. And in ordinary chernozem, already since the spring, there are more than 55% of such particles, in the future their number increases to 60%. As a result, by the harvesting period, the danger of a fraction with a diameter of less than 1 mm becomes the same for both subtypes of chernozems. This requires adjusting the complex of protective measures.

The spatial analysis of landscape ecological stability and ecological security in the steppe regions of Russia

The ecological-economic security [EES] and the landscape-ecological stability of the steppe regions of Russia are the main factors of national security and indicators of the sustainability of socio-economic development. Therefore, it is advisable to consider them based on large-scale studies. The study territory is a mesoregion, including the steppe zone of Russia. A comprehensive analysis of the economic development, social sector, and ecological condition of the territory became the basis for assessing the EES of the regions. We assessed landscape-ecological stability by calculating the coefficient of ecological stability of the landscape. Based on reliable information, we formed a database that comprises 37 indicators for 18 steppe regions of Russia. Using the coefficients and integral indices, we compiled an integrated schematic map. As a result, we established that the level of stability of the ecological landscape increases to the northeast of the studied territory. We observed the maximum value of the ecological and economic security index (1.8) in Krasnodar Krai, the Republic of Bashkortostan, and Novosibirsk Krai. Furthermore, we characterized the regions where the coefficient of ecological landscape stability exceeded 1 by indicators of ecological and economic security, presented in the ratio 1/1.5/2.

A geoarchaeological study of the large Early Bronze Age Essentuksky 1 kurgan in Ciscaucasia, Russia

AbstractA geoarchaeological study of the large Essentuksky 1 kurgan in the Stavropol region of Russia analyzed the chemical composition and micromorphological features of the kurgan's earthen materials and established their relationships with buried soils in the context of previously conducted paleoclimatic reconstructions. The kurgan was 5.5–6.0 m high and more than 60 m in diameter, and consisted of four earthen and three stone constructions. It was built in the second quarter of the 4th millennium BC (the Early Maykop culture) using a precise plan and utilizing the building skills and technologies available at that time. The earthen constructions consisted of alternating layers of dark‐colored slightly compacted humified and pale‐colored dense carbonate‐rich materials, which, in the moist state, were rammed down by ancient builders. These materials were sourced mainly from local soils and contained admixtures of river silt and, at the final stage of building, dung. The physicochemical properties of the earthen constructions as well as the paleosols buried under them are indicative of a short‐term aridization of the climate within the period of building. A gleyed earth with strong iron staining at the kurgan's base and mortar that held the stone constructions was produced by thoroughly mixing and compacting in a wet state, indicating that they were special construction materials. This kurgan is an example of the ancient earth architecture in the steppe zone of Russia over 5500 years ago.

The geographical analysis of the nature management structure in the steppe regions of European Russia

Median models of the nature management structure of the municipal districts in the steppe zone of Russia are considered in the paper. A review of modern publications reflects special features of spatial models of nature management within the Russian Federation’s municipal districts. The clustering meaвthods (cluster groups) and geo-informational mapping are used as leading methods of geographical analysis. The method of B.B. Rodoman’s geocartoids (geographical carotids) is used to visualize the received data. A concept of space polarization and the inductive approach averaging geographical conditions and economic factors in the formation of the municipal economic structure lies on the base of the construction. The problem of the harmonious building of municipal nature management in Russia’s steppe zone is urgent due to the discrepancy of different conditions and processes. Six models of cluster groups of municipal districts in the steppe zone of Russia were built and described. Based on them, three averaged (median) models were received: urbanized (suburban), harmonious (landscape-adaptive), peripheral (homogeneous). The conceptual model of steppe nature management was offered. It reflects the priority of stable development of municipality and comfort for population residence with a necessity of spare nature management and steppe etalons’ conservation. The designs’ principal purpose is to secure spatial development schemes and general programs of settlements by scientifically grounded concepts of municipal development.

Theoretical and methodological approaches revealing the current challenges to the spatial development of regions in the steppe zone of Russia

To detect the current challenges to spatial development, we attempted to identify and theoretically explain the basic notions of stages of challenges’ formation. Such concepts as “challenge,” “danger,” “treat,” and “risk” were defined. The revealed determinants were classified according to five blocks of challenges, and multi-scale levels of their formation were detected. Eighteen region-subjects of the RF steppe mesoresion were chosen as the territory of the study. The methodological approach to see challenges using assessments of the rate of increase (2019 to 2010) was offered. There are 28 principal indicators grouped in blocks: inter-regional contrasts (economic development and a state of the social sphere), the imbalance of the natural-ecological and socio-economic frameworks, a compression of developed space, the formation of seats of potential ecological catastrophes, and threat of food security. The table of the rate of increase was designed. Based on this table, we could reveal prevailing negative processes and increased risk of challenge’s emergence in every region. According to the study results, the examined challenges in the least degree emerged in the Republics of Adygei and Kalmykia. In the most degree (or more evident), they displayed themselves in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Volgogradskaya, and Chelyabinskaya oblasts.Some suggestions were stated to work out long-term steppe region development plans in the frame of economic-geographical and socio-economic research.

Rural settlement in the steppe zone of Russia in the post-Soviet period: adaptation to the current challenges

The rural population and settlement in Russia’s steppe zone, as on the territory of the country on the whole, continually is transformed. This transformation hastened and obtained new features in the post-Soviet period; it became more complex and heterogeneous. Based on the statistical analysis and GIS-technologies, in the paper, we attempted to reveal central tendencies and specifics of the rural population’s temporal and spatial dynamics in the steppe zone during the three post-Soviet decades of the country’s development. The authors detected a shift of the rural population of the country to the west and south-west. The process of territorial compression leads to a concentration of people in areas with a higher potential for effective development. The main area of the rural population increase and the amount of the rural settlements are North Caucasus. Significant areas of the rural population decline are located in territories less provided by agroclimatic resources in the European part of the steppe zone and its Asian part. Understanding total tendencies and territorial peculiarities of the rural population dynamics and settlement allows forecasting these processes and considering them in the frame of territorial planning and socio-economic development in regions in conditions of the current challenges.

New species of the genus Oligaphorura (Collembola, Onychiuridae) from the forested steppe zone of Russia

New species of the genus <i> Oligaphorura </i> (Collembola, Onychiuridae) from the forested steppe zone of Russia

Changes in Forest Ecosystem Disturbances in the Forest–Steppe Zone of Russia’s Central Chernozem Region in the Late 20th and Early 21st Century

Results are presented from assessing forest ecosystem disturbances in the forest–steppe zone of Russia’s Central Chernozem region in the periods 1985–2000 and 2000–2018. Geoinformation mapping of disturbed forests areas that appeared during the corresponding time periods is done using an automated approach. The share of disturbed forest ecosystems in the forest–steppe zone of the Central Chernozem region grows from 2.5% at the end of the 20th century to 6% at the beginning of the 21st. The share of disturbed forest ecosystems in coniferous forests grows by 9 times. In deciduous forests, the proportion of disturbed plots is slightly increased. The increased share of disturbed forests is due mainly to a rise in the disturbances of coniferous forest ecosystems. In contrast, the share of deciduous forests in the structure of disturbed forests is almost halved. A map of categories of forest ecosystems disturbances is prepared that characterizes forests according to the time elapsed since the last exposure to disturbing factors.

Spatial assessment of the socio‐economic framework of the Russian steppe regions

Aim. The goal of the study is a spatial assessment of the socio-economic framework in the steppe regions of Russia. Characteristics of the density of the socio-ecological framework and the degree of development of its core cities were represented to achieve the goal.Material and Methods. A methodology is proposed for assessing the level of development of the socio-economic framework based on the conjugate analysis of 6 indicators of the density index of the socio-economic framework and 9 indicators of the developmental index of the core cities of the socio-economic framework for 18 steppe regions of Russia.Results. A schematic map representing the spatial distribution of the indices studied was produced. A range of urbanisation process features in the regions of the steppe zone of Russia was revealed. In the eastern part, the formation of megalopoli is difficult and the development of agglomeration processes is hampered by the considerable distance from each other of large core cities. Highly urbanised territories might be formed in the western part of the region studied in the course of advanced development. In this connection, disproportions in density indices of the socio-economic framework between the southwest and east regions are noted. Maximum values (4 and more) are recorded in the Belgorod Oblast, Krasnodar Territory, the Republic of Adygea and the Republic of Crimea and minimum (less than 2.5) in border and remote regions (Altai Territory, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Kurgan, Orenburg Oblasts and the Republic of Kalmykia).Conclusion. The development of the socio-economic framework in the mezoregion studied is a mirror reflection of the spatial arrangement of economy and population in the steppe zone of Russia. It is confirmed by a close relation between the development index of core cities in the socio-economic framework and the value of gross regional product. According to the Chaddock scale, the coefficient of correlation between appropriate indicators is 0.94.

Polymorphism of CLPG gene in three sheep breeds grown in the steppe zone of the Russian Federation.

Objective:This study aims to investigate the callipyge gene (CLPG) polymorphism in sheep of Edilbay, Volgograd, and Kalmyk breeds.Materials and Methods:The analysis was performed by the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphisms method. The objects of the study were Edilbay fat-tailed sheep (n = 500) at the breeding plant Volgograd-Edilbay (Volgograd region), Volgograd fine-wool sheep (n = 500) at the breeding plant Romashkovskiy (Volgograd region), and Kalmyk fat-tailed sheep (n = 500) at the breeding plant Kirovsky (the Republic of Kalmykia, Yashkul rayon). To conduct the research, tissue samples of 1 cm² from sheep of Kalmyk and Edilbay breeds were taken from the auricle.Results:The allelic CLPG gene variants have been determined and genotypes of representative sampling of the three breeds of livestock grown in the steppe zone of Russia. The presented results of the CLPG gene polymorphism in these sheep breeds grown in Russia were obtained for the first time. The research study has revealed that in terms of the CLPG gene, the Edilbay, Volgograd, and Kalmyk sheep breeds have only a homozygous form.Conclusion:The results obtained expand the current understanding of the molecular markers that characterize the meat qualities of sheep.

Carbon budgets in the steppe ecosystems of Russia

Abandoned lands formed in the place of former arable lands occupy considerable areas in the steppe zone and are a basic reserve for the restoration of the steppe biome in Russia. Taking into account the secondary steppe ecosystems developed in the place of the abandoned lands, the total carbon dioxide sink in the steppe zone of Russia can reach 92-121 Mt С per year. This is comparable to the СО2 sink in the managed forests of the Russian Federation (96 Mt/yr) and accounts for 10-20% of the total sink of СО2 in the terrestrial ecosystems of Russia. To increase the sink potential on the territory of the Russian Federation, the natural and restored steppe ecosystems should be preserved.

Carbon Budgets in the Steppe Ecosystems of Russia

Abandoned lands formed in the place of former arable lands occupy considerable areas in the steppe zone and are a basic reserve for the restoration of the steppe biome in Russia. Taking into account the secondary steppe ecosystems developed in the place of the abandoned lands, the total carbon dioxide sink in the steppe zone of Russia can reach 92–121 Mt С per year. This is comparable to the СО2 sink in the managed forests of the Russian Federarion (96 Mt/yr) and accounts for 10–20% of the total sink of СО2 in the terrestrial ecosystems of Russia. To increase the sink potential on the territory of the Russian Federation, the natural and restored steppe ecosystems should be preserved.

Assessment of Vulnerability of Natural Grasslands That Are Used as Pastures: Russia’s Example

Natural grasslands that are used as pastures have great importance for animal husbandry. Unfortunately, because of various reasons, the productivity of natural pastures can decline with time. The methodology to predict possible long-term change of the basic properties of natural pastures depending on the pasture load is considered in the present paper. The simulation models and the results of their application for the conditions of use of natural pastures in the steppe zone of Russia are presented. The models take into account the following aspects: biodiversity of plant species in the grassland, capacity of ecological niche, vegetation productivity of grassland, climatic conditions, soil fertility, pasture load, surface slope, intensity of water and wind soil erosion, projective surface coverage, and ecological sustainability of the grassland. The analysis resulted from the proposed models in the examples of practical application showed that the described methodology could be used to develop the necessary measures for sustainable and intensive use of natural grasslands.

Dynamics of population of regions of the steppe zone of Russia: conditions and forecast

The article analyzes the changes in the population in the steppe zone of Russia. On the basis of groups of indicators of fertility, mortality and natural growth in the period 2000-2017, the estimation of the level of demographic security is derived. The demographic situation in most regions of the steppe zone is assessed as a crisis, but with a tendency to improve and transition to pre-crisis. The population forecast in three variants is presented and the main threats of depopulation are defined.