Biological foundations for creating protective and feeding conditions for animals during forest reclamation of disturbed lands of the boreal zone

Lands disturbed by the mining activities should be subject to mandatory biological reclamation. Modern ideas about the conservation of biological diversity suggest the formation of nature-like communities within the framework of reclamation. The purpose of our work is to capitalize many years of experience in biological reclamation and hunting management to develop basic approaches to forest reclamation of disturbed lands, from the standpoint of the formation of protective and fodder conditions for the future forest to ensure the successful resettlement of herbivorous wildlife Study of coal mines dumps reclaimed 30–40 years ago showed that in all cases the abundance of animals was significantly inferior to that in undisturbed territories. The monoculture method used does not provide favorable conditions for animals, therefore it is preferable to create multi-species mixed plantations. The proportion of shrubs should be about 50% of the total forest stand, since it is shrubs that create protective conditions for the nesting of many songbirds and provide animals with food. During forest reclamation, it is necessary to provide for the formation of an extended edge line, including the laying of forest glades, which in the summer will act as places for feeding animals and birds. The share of legumes in glades, as the main source of vegetable protein, in grass mixtures should be at least 20 %. Meadows and watering places are also important to ensure favorable feeding conditions. Therefore, the banks of flooded quarries should be as flattened as possible and go into shallow water to ensure the formation of wet meadows. Part of the shoreline should be planted with willow Salix L., which will create protective conditions for near-water birds, and warmed shallow waters will provide them with food.

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