Section: Monitoring of natural and anthropogenically disturbed areas
Russia ranks first in the world in the area of land taken out of agricultural use. In some regions, fallow areas account for more than 50% of the total agricultural area. Currently, the main part of these areas is in the process of naturalecosystem restoration, with significant changes in vegetation composition, soil formation, and soil properties.
Land withdrawal from the fallow state to arable land is becoming a worldwide trend and also significant in the fareastern region of Russia. Data on the vegetation cover transformation on the territory of Primorsky region depending on the fallow period are considered. Studies were conducted on abandoned agricultural fields (15, 20, 30, 35 and 60 years after abandonment). As a reference site, we used a cultivated field in the area and native forest samples. The experiment included 2 soil types: Gleyic Cambisols and Dystric Fluvisol.
The study determined that members of the genus Salix are the first settlers of woody plant. They grow singly or form microgroups. The undergrowth Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Turcz., which is representative of the native forest appears 15–20 years after the taking the field out of agricultural use. Middle-age fallow fields (20–30 years after abandonment) are characterized by the maximum species diversity. Fallow ecosystems of the Primorsky region are characterized by plant seed shortage and frequent fires. Reedgrass-cereals and wormwood sinusias are the most stable dominants under these conditions. An increase in soil acidity and reduction of humus content, mobile forms of potassium and phosphorus occur at the stage of active renewal of tree species.
ISSN 1995-4301
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