Ecological potential of natural forage lands in Western Siberia
The goal of the research was to highlight a significance of rational use and maintenance of West Siberian forage lands that are a rich source of animal feeds and grass biodiversity. Local milk and meat productions satisfy population needs by 80-85%. Import costs make it important to use land potential to fully cover the demand for these products. Zone definition based on area landscape and ecology was conducted to provide a rational use of lands and forage potential of plant ecosystems. The territory was divided into nine flatlands and highlands. Natural forage lands occupy 16 760.4 thousand ha, or 7% of Western Siberia and 46% - of regional farm fields. Flatlands accumulate 86% of natural forage lands, highlands - 14%. Forage lands are located in the forest-steppe (37%), four forest zones (24%), steppe (20%) and dry steppe (4%). Productivities of flatlands average to 0.6-1.5 t ha<sup>-1</sup> of dry matter, floodplains yield 2-2.5 times more. The developed land-use improving technologies are able to increase crop yield by 2-3 times. Maintenance of plant biodiversity as well as the monitoring of farmland situation are strategically important and highly recommended within the country.