Научный журнал Российского НИИ проблем мелиорации (Feb 2020)

IMPROVING THE RECLAMATIVE ROLE OF PROTECTIVE FOREST PLANTATIONS ON AGRICULTURAL LANDS IN THE SOUTH OF RUSSIA

  • N. M. Makarova,
  • G. T. Balakay,
  • A. V. Makarov

DOI
https://doi.org/10.31774/2222-1816-2020-1-122-139
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 37, no. 1

Abstract

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Purpose: is to determine the protective forest plantations state on agricultural lands in the south of Russia, depending on their age, species composition, various impacts of natural (harmful organisms) and man-made (fires, mechanical damage by agricultural machinery and the construction of various facilities) nature and propose measures for their improvement. Materials and methods: a study of protective forest plantations state was carried out on agricultural lands of Aksai district Rostov region in 2018. After a visual examination, 10 experimental plots with trees aged 25 to 55 years or more, heterogeneous in composition and plots with various damages from fires and mechanical stress were selected. Visual and generally accepted instrumental methods for examining plantations including forest pathology were used, age was determined by non-destructive methods using age-specific Pressler’s borer. Results: it was found that the most reclamative role is played by plantations that are more resistant to damage, with the age of trees up to 25–30 years; with aging the areas of disturbed plantations and trees that have lost stability increase. In the stands with predominant species robinia pseudoacacia (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), from the 1000 m² surveyed plot area 744 m² is the area with impaired stability and 650 m² – with the lost resistance; in stands where the prevailing species is squat elm (Ulmus pumila L.) these indicators were 827 and 714 m², respectively. Conclusions: to increase the user value of agricultural land (restoration of reclamation functions of protective forest plantations to preserve and improve soil fertility, protect and reproduce water resources, flora and fauna) areas with impaired and lost stability require reconstruction of plantations, including project development and old trees uprooting and planting new ones.

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