The research was carried out in order to analyze the influence of anthropogenic factors on soil degradation in the steppe zone in the 20th century and modern conditions. The analysis of anthropogenic factors in the manifestation of erosion processes was carried out in the foothill steppe soil-geographical region of the Republic of Khakassia, located in the south of Midlle Siberia. The study was conducted based on research materials from the Scientific Research Institute of Agrarian Problems of Khakassia on Eroded Soils, SibNIiPI of Land Management and Land Reclamation, “Rosgiprozem” and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Khakassia. Anthropogenic pressure on steppe ecosystems (large plowed areas, unregulated sheep and goat populations), lack of soil protection technology for the development of virgin and fallow lands led to the destruction of vegetation and soil degradation in the 1960s, and currently these factors are the cause of deflation in the foothill steppe of Midlle Siberia. Protective 4-row forest strips created from squat elm, hanging birch, poplar, located 300–350 m apart, increase the anti-deflationary stability of the steppe agricultural landscape. In modern conditions, the use of an agroforestry anti-erosion complex (protective forest strips, striped placement of crops, resource-saving soil treatment, reduction of arable land) can reduce the burden on steppe agrolandscapes.
Chebochakov et al. (2025) studied this question.