The multifunctional role of protective forest plantations

The short history of the steppe forestry is considered. The priority of Russia in dealing with this issue is marked. In this work, the long process of the development of forms of forest plantations, their structure, width and range of species is presented. The most significant completed projects on their construction are marked. The most attention is paid to the largest project of 1948, which consequently was called as The Plan of Nature Transformation. The purpose and role of different types of forest plantations is shown. Also, there was marked the impact of forest plantations on microclimate, soil water regime and their resistance to the unfavourable climatic conditions. The numerous data obtained stipulate that the yield of crops, protected by the forest plantations, is increased. The areas demanding the creation of new forest plantations for different purposes, calculated by All-Russia Research Institute of Agroforestry are presented. We suggest to increase the total area of additional forest plantations to 4.2. mil. ha.