Open AccessCarbon budgets in the steppe ecosystems of Russia
Author(s) -
I. N. Kurganova,
V. О. Lopes de Gerenyu,
A. T. Zhiengaliyev,
V. N. Kudeyarov
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
doklady akademii nauk. rossijskaâ akademiâ nauk
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0869-5652
DOI - 10.31857/s0869-56524856732-735
Subject(s) - steppe , ecosystem , arable land , biome , russian federation , sink (geography) , carbon sink , environmental science , forest steppe , geography , environmental protection , ecology , forestry , agriculture , biology , archaeology , cartography , regional science
Abandoned lands formed in the place of former arable lands occupy considerable areas in the steppe zone and are a basic reserve for the restoration of the steppe biome in Russia. Taking into account the secondary steppe ecosystems developed in the place of the abandoned lands, the total carbon dioxide sink in the steppe zone of Russia can reach 92-121 Mt С per year. This is comparable to the СО2 sink in the managed forests of the Russian Federation (96 Mt/yr) and accounts for 10-20% of the total sink of СО2 in the terrestrial ecosystems of Russia. To increase the sink potential on the territory of the Russian Federation, the natural and restored steppe ecosystems should be preserved.