ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS OF TREATMENT OF SALINE LANDS FOR AGRICULTURAL NEEDS IN THE FIRST AGRO-CLIMATIC ZONE OF THE STAVROPOL TERRITORY

Aim. The aim of the study is to assess the environmental problems and develop a proposal for the identification and analysis of the state of saline and solonetzic lands. Basing on this research, it is crucial to develop proposals for the effective use of lands for the agricultural needs in the first agro-climatic zone of the Stavropol Territory.

Methods. Monitoring studies of agricultural lands were carried out using modern methods which include both remote sensing and annual local surveys in areas of the first agro-climatic zone of the Stavropol Territory. Based on this, agricultural land was divided into four groups: highly productive, productive, low productive and unproductive.

Results. It has been established that the territory of the first agro-climatic zone is represented by agricultural lands for more than 95%, and over the 16-year study period, the area of these lands increased by 27,906 ha. Salinization of land is global in nature, since the total area of land with a degree of salinity is 644,334 ha, that is, more than 37% of agricultural land in this agroclimatic zone is already salinized to varying degrees. In addition, solonetzic complexes are widespread here.

Conclusion. We have established that in order to increase the efficiency of the use of these lands, their qualitative zoning with the subsequent development of agromeliorative measures is necessary. This division of land reflects their qualitative condition, degree of exposure to various degradation processes, the possibility of further land use, a set of measures for the preservation, restoration and protection of these lands and securing the corresponding status of a particular zone based on the developed regulations.

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