Research on Crops

Assessment of forest suitability of soils in the Volgograd region, Russia


DOI: 10.31830/2348-7542.2025.ROC-1186    | Article Id: ROC-1186 | Page : 285-290
Citation :- Assessment of forest suitability of soils in the Volgograd region, Russia. Res. Crop. 26: 285-290
A. A. TUBALOV tubalovlexa1@rambler.ru
Address : Federal State Budget Scientific Institution «Federal Scientific Centre of Agroecology, Complex Melioration and Protective Afforestation of the Russian, Academy of Sciences» (FSC of Agroecology RAS), 400062 Volgograd, Russia
Submitted Date : 25-03-2025
Accepted Date : 30-04-2025
Online Published:

Abstract

Agroforestry measures are vital for combating environmental degradation and desertification. Their success relies on strategic planning and scientific support. Assessing forest growth conditions helps establish protective plantations where trees can thrive. Soil suitability analysis ensures optimal tree and shrub selection, while soil cover variations inform technological improvements for plantation success. The present study was conducted from December 2022 to December 2024 at the Federal State Budget Scientific Institution “Federal Scientific Centre of Agroecology, Complex Melioration and Protective Afforestation of the Russian Academy of Sciences” (FSC of Agroecology RAS). This study, based on a 1:400,000 scale soil map, classified land into four forest suitability groups. It aimed to develop a cartographic model of forest-growing soil properties using QGIS to enhance agroforestry planning. The research focused on the Volgograd region, the historical center of Russian agricultural production, covering over 112,000 square kilometers. The region exhibits significant natural contrasts, transitioning from semi-desert in the south to dry steppe and steppe in the north. The research employed the cartographic method to assess forest growth properties of soils. The initial soil map served as the foundation for delineating four forest suitability groups. QGIS was utilized for spatial modeling and analysis. The results indicated that the region's soil diversity significantly affects the feasibility of agroforestry measures. The identified forest growth conditions of the study area demonstrate a high degree of contrast. Thus, in the northern steppe region, the most fertile soils of the first two forest suitability groups predominate, together they occupy 88.8% of the area. In the southern semi-desert region, on the contrary, soils of the third and fourth forest suitability groups predominate, they occupy 95.5% of the area. A differentiated approach based on soil diversity enhances land reclamation efficiency in degraded areas. Therefore, the study’s findings can be applied to similar landscapes, optimizing afforestation efforts in regions susceptible to desertification.

Keywords

Agroforestry degradation desertification forest suitability mapping

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