Geology, geography and global energy

Scientific and Technical Journal

Measure and optimization of degraded pastureland ecosystems in the pritersky sandy massif

2012. №4, pp. 170-175

Bayrakov Idris A. - C.Sc. in Biology, Accociate Professor, Chechen State University, 32 Sheripova st., Grozny, Chechen Republic, Russian Federation, 364037, idris-54@mail.ru

The article assesses the degraded pastureland ecosystems in the Pritersky sandy massif (located north of the Great Caucasus Mountains), suggesting a number of measures to optimize and stabilize them. By degradation, the paper implies a deflation process caused by overloading the pasture which could lead to the loss of its natural fertility. The study notes that before they mature, sheep eat large quantities of high-quality forage grass. But prior to that, the pastured stand (content) is usually dominated by low-quality grass. At this stage, the document cites geo-botanical research data confirming that over the past 30 years, the quality of Pritersky’s pasture herbage has significantly decreased for a number of beneficial herbs such as wheat grass and alfalfa. Furthermore, there is at present a widespread contamination of weeds and poisonous vegetation. Subsequently, the critique turns its attention to the sandy massif’s geophysical structure, noting that it has various sand formations, overgrown sand-based structures and sand dunes. Pritersky is also marked by quite large areas of climatically homogeneous clay pods. The Terek Ridge, located in the southwestern part of the massif, was possibly formed by the action of air masses that had penetrated to the ridge from the Caspian Sea. Meteorologically, the ridge is marked by a high level of precipitation (350-400mm) and humidity. The northeast section of Pritersky, by contrast, is marked by lower levels of rainfall (about 250mm) and humidity, but strong wind force. In its overall analysis of Pritersky, the blueprint says the massif is covered by large areas of loose sand, possibly appearing due to the uneven distribution of rainfall and summer temperatures. The average January temperature is -3,0° to -3,5° C, while the average July temperature is about +25° C. The average annual temperature is within the +10,5-+11° range. The massif undergoes a 196-day frost-free period and has about 232 days of vegetation. The soil cover is diverse, running from dry sandy dunes to deep sandy soil humus. Some of the sandy dunes that receive little precipitation are currently being transformed into quicksand. Moreover, their soil horizons are characterized by morphologically weak incipient differentiation of sand thickness.

Key words: degradation of ecosystem,grazing,optimization of natural environment,natural resources

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