Features of assessing Land Degradation Neutrality: the case of an agricultural enterprise in the Kaliningrad region

O. A. Makarov^1,2, V. S. Krasilnikova¹, N. A. Marakhova¹, E. V. Tsvetnov^1
1Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie gory, 1, str. 12, Moskva, 119991, Russian Federation
²Educational-Experimental Soil and Environmental Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, pos. Chashnikovo, p/o Udarnyi, Solnechnogorskii r-n, Moskovskaya obl., 141592, Russian Federation

Abstract. The work aimed to test the approach of achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) at the local level (the case of an agricultural enterprise in the Ozersky district of the Kaliningrad region) and its adaptation by using additional indicators. The specially developed software module Trends.Earth with a basic set of indicators (share of degraded lands, land productivity, land vegetation cover, and soil organic carbon reserves in the 0–30 cm layer) did not reveal any degraded agricultural land in the period from 2005 to 2015. This initial assessment of the dynamics of land degradation was rather rough. We proposed to correct it by introducing clarified regional agrochemical data on humus content, available forms of potassium and phosphorus (according to Kirsanov) in soils, and an indicator of soil acidity as additional indicators in the Trends.Earth module, since agrodepletion, dehumification, and acidification are the main types of degradation processes of agricultural land not only in the studied enterprise but also in the Kaliningrad region as a whole. The share of degraded land in terms of humus content was 41.9% of the total area of the studied contours of the agricultural enterprise; in terms of the content of mobile potassium and phosphorus the share was 45.5% and 60.7%, respectively; in terms of acidity, the share was 60.1%. Adding national statistics data on the values of these indicators made it possible to radically change the results of the assessment of the Land Degradation Neutrality in the agricultural enterprise – the share of degraded lands was 93.3%, and the final value of the LDN became negative and amounted to 86.6%. Taking into account the adjustments made, the concept of LDN can be considered as an integral system for monitoring degradation processes at the local level. This system contributes to effective decision making in management, the ultimate purpose of which is to form sustainable land use.

Keywords: land degradation; Land Degradation Neutrality; standard and adapted methods; agricultural enterprise; Kaliningrad region.

Author Details: O. A. Makarov, D. Sc. (Biol.), head of department, head of laboratory (e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.); V. S. Krasilnikova, post graduate student (e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.); N. A. Marakhova, post graduate student (e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.), E. V. Tsvetnov, Cand. Sc. (Biol.), leading research fellou (e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.).

For citation: Makarov OA, Krasilnikova VS, Marakhova NA, et al. [Features of assessing Land Degradation Neutrality: the case of an agricultural enterprise in the Kaliningrad region] Dostizheniya nauki i tekhniki APK. 2021;35(7):64-8. Russian. doi: 10.53859/02352451_2021_35_7_64.