Home – Home – Jornals – Geography and Natural Resources 2026 number 3

The transformation of lands in the riverbed zone of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain into steppe after the Volga River’s flow regime was altered by a cascade of reservoir dams, has resulted in a decline in its economic, nature conservation, and social significance. One of the means of its rehabilitation is to increase the area of forests. For this purpose, a study of the growth and condition of the forest stand was used to determine the quantitative indicators of the phytomass of existing pine stands, their effectiveness as greenhouse gas absorbers and oxygen generators, as well as the aesthetic and recreational value of pine forests on the main groups of lands suitable for afforestation. The area of such lands was identified and an assessment was made of the possibility to increase the forest cover of the floodplain under new quasi-stationary conditions, as well as the dynamics of its forestry, ecological and recreational significance for the Volgograd-Volzhsky urban and local rural agglomerations. Based on archival materials and satellite images, it has been established that at least 5000 hectares of land within the Volgograd part of the floodplain are suitable for pine cultivation. Afforestation will increase the forest cover of the floodplain by 8-10 % and allow for the growth of approximately 1 million m³ of stem wood. It has been determined that this will increase atmospheric carbon sequestration by 13 000-15 000 tons and oxygen production by floodplain ecosystems - by 45-50 tons/ha per year. The capacity of forest lands to provide recreation for people will increase by 5000-6000 people per day. The lifespan of coniferous stands will be 40-60 years.