Innovative Techniques for Suppression of Deflation and Restoration of Desertified Pasturelands of the Caspian Region by Means of Phyto-Amelioration

In the arid and semi-arid regions of the Caspian region, pasture degradation is widespread due to the unravelling of the soil cover and the formation of fine sand dunes. In order to suppress areas of deflation and restore vegetation cover, low-energy technologies for phytomelioration were developed and tested over a large area 30–40 years ago. The aim of this research is to analyze the results of this work and improve the scientific and technological foundations for accelerating it and increasing its efficiency. Studies of secondary vegetation cover were carried out in large modern deflation areas in the Black Earth Nature Reserve in Kalmykia using generally accepted methods in phytomelioration, geobotany, and processing of field materials. It has been established that the development of foci should be carried out within the boundaries of blowout basins. The fundamental condition for the success of this work is a sharp reduction in the intensity of sand transfer by increasing the roughness of the eroded soil by cutting furrows and creating windbreaks made of lyme grass (Leymus arenarius L.) or juzgun (Calligonum aphyllum Pall.), and their acceleration with creation of locations of regenerative–fodder phytocenoses from teresken (Eurotia ceratoides L.), forage kochia (Kochia prostrata (L.) Schrad.), and perennial forage cereals on 10–15% of the area. Using the soil moisture reserve, in the first years they produce a large mass of vegetative organs and seeds, expand, and form a multilayered vegetation cover—forest pastures. This allows for a 2- to 3-fold reduction or more in energy and material costs for phytomelioration of desertified lands. Subsequently, forest pastures remain attractive to animals for several decades, but gradually degrade and require reconstruction. The shrub layer lasts longer under moderate grazing pressure. On shallow sands, locations with teresken have an advantage. They expand and rejuvenate through self-seeding, producing more nutritious food.