Change of Soil Properties in Drainage and Rewetting Conditions in the Steppe Zone of the Southern Urals

Abstract

In the steppe zone of the Southern Ural region (Russia, Republic of Bashkortostan), an abrupt change in the hydrological regime due to drainage melioration triggered alteration of the set of soil properties, potentially leading to soil degradation. Drainage of the Berkazan-Kamysh nature area resulted in a development of a number of adverse effects, of which the major ones included mineralization of peat organic matter and soil salinization as strong as the formation of meadow solonchaks entirely devoid of vegetation. As illustrated by the example of the Serek-Kul’ nature area, rewetting after drainage has not triggered degradation of the soils and appears to be the most effective practice in restoration of bog ecosystems.