The Theoretical Background of the Technology for Agroforestry Improvement of Agricultural Land for Protection against Degradation and Desertification

Abstract

The problem of protecting agricultural landscapes from degradation and desertification must be solved using a systematic and adaptive landscape approach to agricultural activities. Therefore, it is necessary to radically change the approach to modern agriculture. The main task must be to prevent degradation and desertification of agricultural landscapes. The methodological basis for our research and generalizations was a system of methods used in agroforestry and related sciences. When planning and conducting experiments and analyzing the results we used statistical and genetic approaches and elements of system approaches. The studies used physical and mathematical modeling. An important stage of the adaptive landscape agricultural system is the agroforestry improvement of the land use area. Its technological process includes calculation of runoff and soil loss and distances between forest belts; classification of lands according to the degree of soil erosion and nature of their use; organization of the territory; determination of parameters and structure of runoff-regulating forest belts; and creation of a system of runoff-regulating forest belts consisting of 2–3 rows of trees and a row of low-growing shrubs in the catchment area. The developed technology for anti-erosion management of watersheds for land use helps to optimize the placement of agricultural crops and forest strips on slopes to ensure runoff regulation, erosion-safe agricultural activities, and increased yield. An important role in the system of agroforestry measures is played by runoff-regulating forest belts and other protective plantings. In combination with other anti-erosion measures, forest belts play a large role in the formation of the ecological agroforestry framework of the territory and sustainable agroecosystems.