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| Steppe - Problems of steppe ecosystems - Steppe ecosystems management - Steppe restoration |
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| From the ecological point of view, steppe is the cheapest and long-term source of complete feed for animals. Grass provides main component of the fodder – fibre; legumes facilitate nitrogen fixation, provide protein; herbs are the main source of proteins, vitamins and microelements. Thus, by preserving steppe nature, we invest in the development of rural areas by supporting stock farming and traditional types of husbandry. |
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| Today it is common to hear about protection of woods, prohibition of liquidation cutting and filtration of aqueous runoffs. But if the Forestry or the Water Code – as an instrument for forest/water resources management does not raise any doubts in expediency of its existence, why then sustainable land use of steppe areas still is the subject of discussions at the state level? Is the biological value of their ecosystems less significant than of forest or water funds? Or is their role in economic development of the country not noticeable? Or haven’t the factors of human intervention touched the steppe? (read more) |
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| Ukrainian steppe |
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| An area of steppe zone in Ukraine is about 0,3 million square km. This makes about 4% of the total area of steppe ecosystems. As a result of last 80 – 100 years steppes have strongly suffered from an inefficient plowing up and pasture of live-stock. But, despite the fact, that some types of animals and plants during this period of time have irretrievably disappeared, steppe biota in Ukraine remains diverse enough, and this means that steppes have not yet lost their quality to self-restoration. Remaining samples also can be utilized for forming econets and restoration of degraded territories. Last decades are characterized by decline of agricultural activity in Ukraine, and this also has influenced the improvement of steppe ecosystems in some districts. Total area of virgin Ukrainian steppes under protection, is about 70 thous. ha. For the steppes of reserved fund of Ukraine the separateness of territories is a characteristic feature, what has to be considered while restoring steppes and preparing territory development plans. In Ukraine steppe territories are represented in Lugansk oblast (unique in the area Lugansk national reserve consists of branches of Strel'tsovskaya, Proval'skaya, Sanichno-Luganskaya steppe), Odessa oblast (territory of former Tarutinskiy polygon), Donetsk, Zaporozhia oblast, Nikolaev oblast.
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| Steppes of Moldova |
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| Nowadays, natural steppe associations in Moldova remained only in small areas. More and more plants become rare. Today in Moldova there is a severe problem of intensive grazing by growing livestock in the steppe territories. An area of available steppe pastures is much smaller, than it is required for sustainable grazing. That is why practices of grazing regimes, which would balance the burden on steppe ecosystem – prevent “eating” of the steppe by sheeps, would facilitate steppe biodiversity conservation. Restoration of steppe pastures, which is possible only under condition of formation of the seed fund (seed bank) with the perspective of seed market development, is not less vital for support of cattle breeding
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| Steppe in Rostov oblast |
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| Unlike steppe ecosystems of Ukraine and Moldova, steppes of Rostov oblast (Orlovskiy, Proletarskiy, Remontnenskiy rayons) are characterized with more vast territories. Due to low productivity of plough land, hayfields, and grazing lands, the rayons lack complete feed, low content of protein in it, and, as a result - a shortage and low quality of fodder for the sheeps and cattle. Traditionally, use of steppe territories of Rostov oblast was related to hunting management, fishing, horse breeding, recreational opportunities. For example, only an area of hunting lands in Orlovskiy rayon is 220 thousand ha. Unique conditions are created for hunting on a waterfowl in Kuzhno-Manych game husbandry. Natural Reserve «Rostovskiy” – around 12 thousand ha, is located at the territory of rayon. Today the issues of tourist infrastructure management (incl. hunting management), promotion and regulation of steppe tourism, inclusion of touristic component into the plans of economic development of above-mentioned territory are vital for Rostov steppes.
The agriculture of the country was experiencing sharp decline during last decade. Soils of exploited steppe regions were exposed to water and wind erosion, dehumufication, anthropogenic desertification. These negative phenomena are closely related to the state of bio-resources biodiversity. With the big likelihood ratio, steppe of east districts of Rostov oblast can be described as districts of high-risk agriculture. |
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