Restoration of woodland belts and sustainable development of agroecosystems of steppe zone of the Orenburg oblast (Russia)

Orenburg oblast is situated in the steppe zone. The climate is continental, characterized by a large amplitude of fluctuations in both summer and winter air temperatures, and insufficient precipitation. Due to such low climate potential, the development of agricultural production in the region needs constant improvement (increasing soil fertility, erosion control, planting sustainable crops). Therefore, optimization of agricultural production in order to restore the productive potential of land is one of the most actual problems in the region. Orenburg oblast due to its geographical location is characterized by dry winds, which not only dry up the soil, but also sharply reduce its fertility, effect on the water balance, and reduce yield. Therefore, the creation of forest protection treestands in this case is a priority method that contributes to the preservation of soil fertility in the region and, consequently, to the increased rate of agricultural production. In this article, we consider some species of plants belonging to the genera Sorbus L., Crataegus L., Aronia Pers., Syringa L ., which have a number of positive ecological and biological characteristics, compared to plants that are widely used in forest protection plantations in the region today ( Betula pendula Roth., Pinus sylvestris L., etc.). Using plants that have significant advantages in creating protective forests, it becomes possible to solve the problem of sustainable development of the land fund, and, consequently, to increase the rate of agricultural production. This will allow regulating land use processes not only at the regional level, but also at the state level.