D.S. Dzybov, N.G. Lapenko, O.E. Orlov
Stavropol Agricultural Research Institute, ul. Nikonova, 49, Mikhailovsk, Stavropol’skii krai, 356241, Russian Federation
Summary. By 1888 – the beginning of artificial afforestation in the Medvezh'e county of Stavropol province (nowadays Ipatovo district), the zone of the dry steppe was actively used by nomadic animal husbandry during 7-8 thousand years. Climatic conditions, in which the artificial wood formed and functioned during the last 128 years, remained steadily extreme. The annual rainfall rate fluctuated within 412-416 mm. The artificial Medvezhensky wood was the courageous plan of afforestation of droughty provinces of Russia by scientific forestry specialists of Dokuchaev’s school under the auspices of the Forest department of the government of Nicholas II. Creation of Forest dacha, according to archival documents, was directed by G.Yu. Sosnovsky, N.I. Kochenov, K.N. Shlekhter and others. They used scientific methods of A.R. Vargas de Bedemar and N.K. Genko. After the development by the wood of 1380 hectares of the dry steppe the main efforts of a forestry organization were directed to the care for the artificial wood. From the view of science the Medvezhensky wood remained not studied. Such attempt was made by authors in 2008. Created plantations are of a different age. Associations with the dominant oak (Quercus robur) function more than 90-100 years. Second growth (self-maintaining) of the main species in the wood is not observed. Bushes Robinia pseudoacacia, Caragana arborescens, Berberis vulgaris, Cottinus coggigria, Hippophae, rhamnoides, Rosa canina and some other are self-restoring. Except for associations with oak, the age of other tree plantation ranges from 5 to 60 years. These cenoses are more dynamic in their development and demand more attention in respect of regeneration. There is a virgin arid steppe in immediate proximity to Forest dacha. It kept the main kernel of virgin flora (Stipa, Agropyron pectinatum, Festuca valesiaca, Koeleria cristata, Medicago romanica, Poterium polygamum, etc.). The biocenosis Forest dacha, created in the steppe from tree plantations, is unique as an object of a high ecological, scientific, educational and recreational significance.
Keywords: association, stand of trees, artificial wood, afforestation, forest vegetation, steppe vegetation, arid steppe.
Author Details: D.S. Dzybov, D. Sc. (Biol.), consultant (e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.) N.G. Lapenko, Cand. Sc. (Boil.), leading research fellow; O.E. Orlov, senior research fellow.
For citation: Dzybov D.S., Lapenko N.G., Orlov O.E. Artificial Medvezhensky Wood in the Cis-Manychskoe Arid Steppe and the First Experience of Its Scientific Interpretation. Dostizheniya nauki i tekhniki APK. 2016. V.30. No. 12. Pp. 75-78 (in Russ.).