DYNAMICS OF THE AREA OF OPEN SANDS IN THE STAVROPOL REGION IN 2022

Abstract

The article examines monthly dynamics of spatial distribution of open sands (desertification hotbeds and sand massifs) in the north-eastern part of the Stavropol region (Levokumsky and Neftekumsky districts) for 2022. The sands were mapped using GIS technologies and Earth remote sensing materials (Landsat-8, 9) for each month of 2022, with the exception of January,November, and December. The minimum identified area of open sands is 19.5 thousand ha (June), the maximum is 53.3 thousand ha (August), which is 6.3% of the total study area. The total increase in the area of open sands at the end of the year was 25.9 thousand ha (a twofold increase compared to the beginning of the year). For the entire period under study, almost 4 thousand sand plots were identified, with a total area of more than 300 thousand ha. During the study period, 14 dust storms were registered (with the total duration of 29 days). The most intense dust storm of these, with the highest wind speed and the lowest visibility, occurred in early March 2022, and it led to a 1.5-fold increase in the sand area. The largest increase in the area of open sands was noted in August (by 2.1 times, by 28 thousand ha), when the longest dust storms of the year occurred. The relationship between the duration of dust storms during a month and the increase in the area of open sands has been established. The study takes into account the salinization area in the form of sor depressions.