In the Belgorod region, a methodology is being developed to restore steppes on infertile lands, especially on low-productivity arable lands. Scientists from Belgorod State National Research University (BelSU) and the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) have been conducting research since the beginning of 2023. The study identified around 20 risk categories affecting the efficiency of agriculture in the region. By the end of 2024, a universal methodology for restoring steppe areas in places with low soil productivity is planned to be developed.
Among the identified risks are factors such as soil contamination with pesticides, loss of fertility, erosion, water pollution, and an increase in climate aridity. According to scientists, the restoration of steppe communities on infertile plots can reduce risks and contribute to the rational use of agrolandscapes. It is noted that there are currently too few natural steppe communities in the region, hindering sustainable agricultural development in the future. Ultimately, the developed methodology is expected to serve as a foundation for the restoration of steppe vegetation and improvement of the region’s ecological sustainability.
The agricultural land area in the Belgorod region is about 2 million hectares, with the majority of agricultural lands formed on chernozem soils corresponding to zonal steppes.
Photo: zapovednik-belogorye.ru