Non-productive biological resources in post-bog forest-meadow agricultural landscapes
N.A. Ulanov, A.N. Ulanov
Section: Monitoring of natural and anthropogenically disturbed areas
Non-production natural resources are considered an alternative to traditional forage production. We carried out an environmental assessment of the above using case-study of the “Gadovskoye” post-bog forest-meadow agricultural landscape (Kirov Oblast, Russia). In its modern guise, the former bog has turned into a qualitatively new agricultural landscape, where meadow grasslands, arable land, forest stands, shelter belts, ameliorative ditches, and areas of ecological water supply alternate in a certain mosaic. Mushrooms are traditionally considered to be the most popular resources, represented in the studied area by 55 species. Spruce-pine-birch secondary forests and adjacent shelter belts are the most favorable environment for macromycetes. The biological stock of fruiting bodies here reaches 150 kg/ha. The available mushroom-bearing area is about 45 hectares. The basis of berry resources consists of only 12 species. Sorbus aucuparia L., Rosa canina L., Fragaria vesca L., and Rubus saxatilis L. are the most productive and weather-resistant self-grown
wild plants. Varieties of Oxycoccus palustris Pers. is artificially cultivated ones. The variety of medicinal plants exceeds 200 species. They present in all structural elements of the agricultural landscape. Urtica dioica L., Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop., Bistorta officinalis Delarbre, Rumex confertus Willd., Ledum palustre L., Comarum palustre L., Lycopodium clavatum L., Tanacetum vulgare L. are the most in demand among raw material producers. The formed landscape structure with a well-developed ecological framework in conditions of a low agricultural background is an ideal habitat for many commercial animal species. There are more than 20 species permanently residing in this territory. The Castor fiber L. populations inhabit the forested areas and production fields most intensively. The forested area is about
25 % in the structure of the landscape. Secondary stands have received the greatest evelopment on well-drained peaty gley depleted soils and near lateral ditches. The stock of wood aged 40–60 years is 400–600 m3/ha in these areas. The forest phytocenosis is considered here as a source of commercial raw materials, but to a greater extent as a habitat for
the above-mentioned resources.
ISSN 1995-4301
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