Ecological and economic significance of the Middle Don sand arenas

Federal Scientific Centre of Agroecology, Complex Melioration and Protective Afforestation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 400062, Volgograd, Russia

^* Corresponding author: vlasencomarina@mail.ru

Abstract

The research purpose is a comprehensive assessment of the Middle part of the Don river sand massifs soil and hydrological conditions. The research objects are the sandy massifs of the Middle Don on an area of 527 thousand hectares. The sand arenas water balance dynamics for the period from November to March and for the period from April to October has been revealed. It has been established that atmospheric precipitation is the main source of river water supply. The basis of river systems flood filling are clay soils that form an intra-soil runoff. The low water period level is supported by sandy soils. A decrease in the density of plant formations contributes to an increase in groundwater supply. The total underground runoff reaches 599 million m³ from the sandy massifs of the Middle Don. The volume and dynamics of the moisture movement in the soil depend on the system of sandy areas use. Therefore, the load on sandy arenas should be regulated. Pasture farming should remain the dominant form of sand use. An effective method of sandy arenas afforestation is the planting of pine plantations according to the savanna type.