Forest Belts in the Dry Steppes of the Altai Region: Assessment of the Current State

Aim. Assessment of the state of forest shelterbelts in the dry-steppe subzone of the Altai Territory and identification of key factors contributing to their degradation and area reduction.
Methodology. To achieve the goal of the study, dendrochronology methods were used, which allow analyzing tree rings to assess their age, growth rate, and response to climate change. Dendroclimatology studied the relationship between the growth dynamics of tree stands and climatic parameters such as temperature and precipitation. The taxation of stands included field measurements aimed at determining the composition of species, height, trunk diameter, crown density, and tree viability. In addition, remote sensing data analysis was used to assess the spatial distribution, density, and changes in the condition of forest belts in recent years based on satellite images. The integrated use of these methods provided a comprehensive assessment of the current state of shelterbelts in the dry steppe of the Altai Territory and identified key factors influencing their sustainability.
Results. The radial growth of trees in shelterbelts and their response to climatic factors are determined by their species composition and geographical location within the dry steppe. Precipitation deficiency and rising air temperatures most often cause a decrease in wood growth. The age, morphometric parameters of trees and their sanitary condition are correlatively interconnected, which makes it possible to forecast the state of shelterbelts on their basis. The results of processing remote sensing data (multispectral Landsat 5 and Landsat 8 images) indicate a significant reduction in the area of shelterbelts from 1990 to 2022. An analysis of the NDVI dynamics from 2017 to 2022, performed using Sentinel-2 data, revealed a decrease in the index values, which is probably due to the aging of plantations. Degradation of forest shelterbelts in the dry steppe conditions of the Altai Territory is caused by the complex impact of natural and anthropogenic factors. Climate changes, manifested in increased aridity and more frequent extreme droughts, lead to the suppression of phytocenoses, a decrease in photosynthetic activity and an increase in water deficit. Natural processes of forest stand aging reduce their resistance to stress effects, which contributes to fragmentation and a decrease in the density of plantations. Anthropogenic load, including damage to the integrity of forest belts, aggravates the degradation processes. The combined effect of these factors leads to a decrease in bioproductivity, a decrease in the area of forest belts and the loss of their protective functions.
Research implications. The results of the study allow us to predict the deterioration of the forest belts in 5–7 years and their partial destruction in 15 years. Proposals have been formulated for the renewal of forest belts taking into account their orientation to improve the efficiency of wind protection and increase snow accumulation. It is recommended to carry out planned reforestation using drought-resistant tree species adapted to local conditions. To maintain the sustainability and productivity of plantations, it is necessary to introduce a system of regular sanitary felling, including the removal of dead wood. However, the most important thing is to develop and implement a regional support program aimed at restoring and maintaining plantations.

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