Scientific journal
Advances in current natural sciences
ISSN 1681-7494
"Перечень" ВАК
ИФ РИНЦ = 0,775

Historically the steppe vegetation of the North Caucasus was almost untouched by ploughing being in state of moderate pasture explotation by cattle-raising (horses in general, sheep´s more less).

From the end of XVIII century following Russian settlement the destruction of steppe and small forests had began. Although in the middle of XIX century the significant steppe areas hereby were still existed. Today all plain territories suitable for agriculture are tilled croplands and another ones not suitable for ploughing severely pastured by sheep´s in common. In Stavropol region, for example, some districts possess now with only 5-10% of native or seminative ecosystem. We catalogued more than three hundreds rare species and dozens steppe coenosis remnants needed to be conserved. So, to the middle of XX century the problem of steppe conservation and restorations had raised obviously for saving rich North Caucasus flora calculated with more than 4000 species of vascular plants.

After Stavropol Botanical Garden organization in the 60-es saving pieces of endangered steppe ecosystems were started as well as initiation of experiments on their restoration on early ploughed locations.

Now there are more than 20 native steppe reservations under local administration protection. Recently staffs of cathedra of geography of our State University have elaborated project documents necessary for organization of Stavropol biosphere forest steppe reservation where more than 500 plant species located on 8000 ha (almost 20000 acres). Some landowners participated in the project.

Our experiments on steppe phytocoenosis restoration were on a wide range of methods - blocks of native sod transplanting, seed mixture and hay with seeds sowing, selfgrowing over early ploughed land with a part a native steppe nearby, as a source of seeds, combinations of the methods mentioned above. Experiences of Russian (Schischkin, Tanfiliev - XIX and early XX centuries) and American scientists (G.Cotlam, H.C.Wilson. Community dynamics on an artificial prairie // Ecology, 1966, № 47, № 1) were gratefully consided.

Community restorations are not yet a common practice in our region until now but there are all facilities and needs for it to be widely expanded.

We hope that sooner or later scientists and volunteers will form "World ecosystem restoration union" with appropriate international magazine.