Сomprehensive Land Reclamation As a Way to Combat Desertification and Land Deterioration

Abstract.The land desertification growth occurs as a result of intense anthropogenic pressure and the climate aridization growth in the south of Russia. There is a decrease and loss of arable lands and pasture lands bioproductivity on arid and semiarid territories. The purpose of this work is to substantiate the methods of comprehensive land reclamation aimed at preventing the land degradation and desertification processes in the climate change in the arid zone of the Russian Federation context. As practice shows, carrying out comprehensive land reclamation, including agrotechnical and phytomeliorative measures, watering and irrigation, is the most effective way to control desertification processes. A number of measures to increase water availability in water- lacking regions are considered. These measures include water saving during irrigation, use of groundwater reserves available for temporary withdrawal for water supply in particularly dry periods. Problems and prospects not only of the Don, but also of the Volga rivers runoff replenishment justifying were noted too. It is proposed, using the example of the Republic of Kalmykia, to carry out phytomeliorative work on degraded lands, take administrative measures to protect territories subjected to soil deflation in order to reduce water environmental tension. Applying our Institute’s technology for the formation of highly productive estuarine agroecosystems on saline and solonetzes lands as well as technology for superficial and radical improvement of degraded pasture lands, which are contributing to the different soil types phytocenoses productive qualities restoration is also necessary.
Keywords:climate aridization, desertification, land degradation, irrigational desertification, phytomelioration, integrated land reclamation
Funding.The work was carried out within the framework of the State Task FGUF-2022-0008 ‘‘Develop a scientific and methodological justification of nature-like technologies for restoring fertility and increasing productivity of degraded reclaimed lands in changing climatic conditions.
Citation:. Shevchenko V.А., Dedova E.B., Isaeva S.D. Сomprehensive Land Reclamation As a Way to Combat Desertification and Land Deterioration. Scientific Agronomy Journal. 2023;4(123):22-29. DOI: 10.34736/FNC.2023.123.4.003.22-29
Received by the editorial office: 13/11/2023
Accepted for printing: 07.12.2023