Adaptation of Technological Methods to Climatic Conditions in Agrotechnologies in South Ural

This study aimed to define an optimal sowing date of winter wheat in the steppe zone of South Ural and West Siberia. The effects of climatic factors were determined by analyzing modern climatic resources and experimentally testing in the conditions of the central zone in Orenburgskaya oblast. Research from the All-Russian ScientificResearch Institute of Hydro-meteorological Information – World Data Center (RSRIHIWDC) served as a source of archival meteorological data for 2009-2019. Experimental data were collected through field work on the south chernozem in the Central zone of Orenburgskaya oblast for 2019-2020. Digital material was processed using statistical analysis. It was confirmed that in the Central zone of Orenburgskaya oblast under modern climatic conditions, the period between 25-30 August is the most acceptable date to sow winter wheat. If sowing occurs at later dates, there is a risk of not obtaining the required amount of effective temperatures, which can result in disunited sparse shoots, bushes that are not fully formed, and low phytometric parameters, and therefore a low realization of climatically secured productivity. These results could be more widely tested in other steppe regions of Ural and West Siberia with a prospect to introduce the results into zonal recommendations for production. Keywords: climatic resources, productivity reserves, winter whea

Dynamics of the bioclimatic potential of agroecological zones of the Altai Territory in the conditions of modern climatic and anthropogenic changes

The steppe zone is characterized by high dynamism of environmental conditions including sharp climatic fluctuations that affect both the possibilities of agriculture and the state of steppe landscapes. Further development of agriculture without taking into account changing climatic and environmental factors increases risks both for steppe ecosystems and for the sustainability of agriculture. The field production of the agro-climatic zones of the Altai Territory is characterized by the high variability of gross yields associated with the dynamics of precipitation, air temperature, and soil fertility. Under the current conditions, the analysis of the temporal and spatial dynamics of bioclimatic potential is of high practical importance for the development and implementation of adaptive agricultural technologies. A retrospective analysis was carried out and a modern bio-climatic characteristic of model territories representing various agroecological zones was compiled for this purpose. The object of research was data on average daily, average monthly, and average annual air temperatures, the level of precipitation, the water vapor pressure, and relative humidity. Statistical processing of analytical data was carried out in Excel. Calculations revealed significant temporal and spatial dynamics of the BCP. Spatially, it is characterized by a significant decrease in a north-western orientation. The lowest average values, 1.71-1.81 units, were observed in the Kulunda and Rubtsovskaya agroecological zones, with a coefficient of variation of more than 20.0%. The Zarinskaya and Aleyskaya agroecological zones were characterized by the highest values of BCP, and the Predgornaya zone presented maximum values of BCP, at the level of 2.70 units with high stability. Temporally, the BCP of the Zarinskaya, Kulunda, and Priobskaya agroclimatic zones is characterized by a negative trend; in other zones, its almost zero balance is noted. A sufficiently expressed difference in the BCP of various agroecological zones has an impact on the realization of the biological potential of cultivated crops. Analysis of the level of development of the vegetative mass of spring wheat by determining NDVI confirmed this assumption. For a systematic assessment of the influence of climatic and anthropogenic factors on the production process of field crops and the development of measures for the rational use of agricultural landscapes, it is advisable to determine the potential yield according to the BCP, determine the degree of its implementation in the economic harvest and justify techniques for leveling limiting factors in agrotechnology of individual agroecological zones

Ecological risks of a steppe nature management: detection, classification and ways to overcome them (on the example of the Orenburg region)

The aim of the study is to reveal and classify ecological risks for steppe nature management as well as to suggest the ways to overcome them. The following methods were used: historical, cartographical, logic and field landscape researches, Earth Sensing data, the author's method of an expert ecological-economical assessment of steppe etalons and secondary steppes. The main ecological risks making influence on the condition of steppe land and biological resources are detected and classified for an agrarian and industrially developed steppe region. The conception of an “antiecological” framework is developed. The system of the most substantial risks is highlighted, recommendations to minimize these risks are offered

PROSPECTS OF CONVERGENCE OF SCIENCES FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS OF CRITICAL AREAS OF THE BIOSPHERE

Aim. The aim is to show the relevance of the convergence of basic science in order to solve global environmental problems. Discussion. Solving the problems of critical areas of the biosphere which requires the combined efforts of various sciences and fields of knowledge is considered as an objective prerequisite for convergence. This article was written on the basis of the findings of our own long-term studies of the steppes of Northern Eurasia and central Arctic landscapes on relic loess-ice lithogenic basis, compared with historical and literary data. From the standpoint of steppe studies, two critical areas of the biosphere are distinguished: steppe zone of Eurasia and tundra of the Arctic which are justified as axes of convergence. The steppe studies are considered as a center of convergence around these axes with the possible formation of a new superdisciplinary field of knowledge and practice, steppenomy, in perspective. Nature-like technologies based on the principle of the co-creation of man and nature, aimed at overcoming the crisis phenomena in ecosystems and attaining high stability and productivity, are considered as an innovation product of the steppenomy. Conclusion. The spread and development of pasture ecosystems in various climatic zones is one of the priorities of constructive co-creation of man and the biosphere. An increase in tundra productivity and creation of “beef belts” in the steppes of Eurasia are regarded as a constructive analogue of Tselina, recreating grass ecosystems as a neo-hyperzonal phenomenon on tens of millions of hectares. In addition to contributing to the solution of the food problem, the pasture arrangement of the last territorial reserve under convergent scientific support will contribute to the global ecological restoration of the Earth’s unique ecosystems

Restoring steppe landscapes:patterns, drivers and implications in Russia’s steppes

Context: Agricultural land abandonment across the steppe belt of Eurasia has provided an opportunity for the restoration of steppe landscapes in recent decades. However, global food demands are about to revert this trajectory and put restored steppe landscapes at risk. Objectives: We analysed steppe development in southern Russia in the last 40 years, assessed its spatial patterns and drivers of change for several periods. Methods: Using Landsat imagery, we mapped the permanent steppe and steppe restoration from 1990 to 2018. Based on regression tree models, we evaluate and explain its dynamics. Results were compared with district-level trends in land-use intensities of cropland. Results: We found 70% of the steppe in 2018 represented permanent steppe and 30% of former cropland dominantly abandoned in the postsocialism (1990–2000). The permanent steppe and steppe restored in the postsocialism (1990–2000) were located far from settlements, on rough terrain and in districts of the Virgin Land Campaign (1954–1963). In recent decades, the patterns of steppe restoration (2000–2018) were mostly determined by unfavourable agroclimatic conditions and distance from grain storage facilities. The restoration pattern reflects regional differences in land-use intensities, e.g., isolated steppe patches mostly appeared in areas of intensive agricultural land-use. Conclusions: Steppe restoration has appeared in areas marginal for agricultural production, with poor natural conditions and little human footprint. Consequently, the permanent steppe became less fragmented and a more continuous steppe landscape resulted. The remaining isolated steppe patches require attention in restoration programs as they are mostly located in areas of intensive agricultural land-use