Botanists from Altai State University, within the framework of the Priority 2030 Program, assessed the landscape and biological diversity of farmland in Altai Krai
Scientists from the Institute of Biology and Biotechnology of Altai State University have completed the field work phase of the project “Development and implementation of innovative technologies for steppe land use for the conservation, restoration and effective use of landscape biological diversity of steppe farmland.”
It was included in the Priority 2030 program of the strategic project “Agromodels, unique biodiversity, natural-ecological framework of Altai Krai.”
Employees of the Department of Botany worked together with scientists from the Altai State Agrarian University (Professor Vladimir Belyaev), the Steppe Institute of the Ural Branch of the Academy of Sciences (the scientific team of Academician Alexander Chibilev), and the Federal Research Center for Information and Computing Technologies (Novosibirsk). From April to October 2023, an algorithm was developed for assessing the condition of hayfields and arable lands using ground-based and remote agricultural monitoring methods (satellite images, GIS, UAVs) with the prospect of further commercialization of services for regional agricultural producers.
“Scientists conducted more than 20 field trips. The result of the work was an assessment of the state of steppe and forest-steppe agrocenoses and pastures, the biopotential and technology of cultivating the varieties and crops used in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of Altai Krai,” said Natalya Ovcharova, an associate professor of the Department of Botany of Altai State University, project executor.
“Currently, the stage of office data processing is being completed, and methodological recommendations are being prepared for agro-ecological and technological examination of the level of development of steppe agriculture. All work is focused on the main goal of the project – the development and implementation of innovative technologies for steppe land use, ensuring the productivity of farmland corresponding to the biopotential with the preservation and restoration of the landscape and biological diversity of the Altai region,” summed up Head of the Department of Botany, professor, project leader Marina Silantyeva.