The State of Protective Forest Plantations on the Azov Coast of Krasnodar Krai

Abstract

The littoral zones are unstable and easily destroyed ecological systems due to the natural origin. The coastal landscapes are usually attractive to human activities. Thus, the environment of such areas is particularly sensitive to anthropogenic impact and has low ability for recovery. The research was made on the Azov coast near the town of Temryuk in Krasnodar Krai. The choice of the trial areas in the forest belts for plantation of Oleaster or Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) was preceded by the construction of the reconnoitering routes. The average areas with the characteristic natural state of the examined vegetation were selected. Oleaster was primary planted in the 1950s and 1960s. These tree assembles have artificial origin. The article considers the possibility of protecting by afforestation the coastal line of the Sea of Azov from destruction, abrasion, surge waves. That forest ranging can be made, as an example, by Russian olive. The goals of the research were to investigate the state of the protective forest plantings on the coast of the Sea of Azov, to determine the role of the plantings in the ecosystem, to evaluate the protective potential and to develop the measures for improvement the condition of the plants. The results of the research showed that the anthropogenic influence created the tinning by suppression of the trees from 9 to 33 %. The extinction of the flowerage and vegetative regeneration were also indicated. As a result of partially tinning of the wood species in the protective areas the wind flow was redistributed, and the illumination of the soil was increased. The forest belts have the protective purpose and are an important component of the resisting barrier for the shorelines of the Sea of Asov. In general, the tested forest territories have a suitable condition. Although, the depletion process was observed for single plant species as well as for the planted rows. Some of the sections were totally woodless. The forestry administration of the region should protect and preserve the forest areas. It is recommended to reduce the recreational load on the forest belts, to provide regularly agrotechnical care for the plants and to afforest the territories partially or totally depending on the quality conditions.