Nature like restoration technology for liman agro ecosystems’ seastaining in the Northern Caspian

Liman agroecosystems of the Russian Caspian region ensure the rational use of local surface runoff and water resources of hydro reclamation systems, serving as a reliable source of high quality fodder at low production costs. Ecological and reclamation studies have shown that under conditions of increasing climate aridization, degradation processes emerge, leading to a decline in the productivity of fodder lands. The aim of this work is to substantiate theoretical and methodological approaches for nature like technology of restoring the sustainability of liman agroecosystems under climate change in the arid conditions of the Caspian region. A conceptual model of nature like technology has been developed, providing conditions for enhancing ecological stability, maintaining and restoring the sustainability of liman agroecosystems, and increasing their productivity through the creation of a modified multi species phytocoenosis based on crops with high nutritional and fodder value. Scientifically substantiated measures for optimizing all parameters of the liman agro ecosystem are presented, contributing to its restoration. The regulated factors are reflected, including: the flooding regime, the fertilization system, ameliorative soil tillage practices, and the utilization regime of natural grass stand. Agromeliorative techniques have been developed to improve the sustainability of degraded liman lands at the key site of the engineered liman irrigation system «Maly Kapitan» in the Republic of Kalmykia. It has been established that ameliorative soil tillage practices («slitting») carried out in the II–III decade of October to a depth of 0,4 m, with a spacing of 1,5 m between slots, increase hay yield by 16-20%. The application of mineral fertilizers (N30−50 P10−20 kg/ha of active substance), combined with a flooding duration of 20–30 days and ameliorative tillage, results in hay yields of 3,77 and 4,67 t/ha, which is 34-60% higher than the control variant.