Creation of a natural monument on the ravine-beam lands

What is it about?

As a result of a comprehensive ecological and soil-geobotanical survey of the territory of the Kletskaya Scientific Research Agroforestry Experimental Station, modern zoning and assessment of the state of agroforestry shafts were carried out. The methodological basis was the soil map (M 1: 2000), satellite images of the Bing satellite, stock materials: taxation characteristics of forest stands, a map of the objects of radical reclamation (M 1: 10000). Unique objects of forestry science were laid in 1960-1970. on lands of radical reclamation. Positive experience in the creation of afforestation from Pinus pallasiana and Pinus sylvestris was revealed on chalk and gray clay flasks. The formed system of stock-regulating forest strips at the place of ravines up to 6 m deep, as well as a site of a comprehensive agroforestry-reclamation arrangement (shrubbery scenes, ramparts, etc.) have shown the effectiveness of soil protection measures. On the slope of the Wislenky ravine on stony soils, well-developed forest cultures of Juniperus sabina, listed in the Red Book of the Volgograd Region, were identified. The uniqueness of the territory as a geomorphological object lies in the presence of out-crops of Cretaceous rocks with typical calciphilic vegetation. Based on the comprehensive ecological survey, a map was com-piled where four cores with an area of 144 hectares with unique natural land-scapes and objects of forestry science were identified, a buffer zone (224 hectares) performing the environmental and recreational role of a specially protected natural area. Currently, the station’s agroforest landscapes are an «oasis» in the dry steppe, which are intensively used for recreation, which in-creases the likelihood of landscape fires due to the predominance of conifers in the forest stands.

Featured Image

Photo by Rowan Heuvel on Unsplash

Photo by Rowan Heuvel on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The creation of a specially protected natural area on the station’s territory will ensure the long-term functioning of unique natural complexes, will allow to unleash the potential of agroforestry in order to pre-serve forest crops and calcipheil populations, and also to form an ecological framework system that will increase the effectiveness of recreational tourism and educational events.