The Springs in the Shipov Forest

Abstract

The purpose is to acquaint the geographical community and foresters in the Voronezh region with the changes in the water logging content of the forest landscapes of the region on the example of the Shipov forest over the past 160-170 years. Materials and methods. The published materials in the “Forest Journal” (1887) and the author’s field observations have been used in the article. Results and discussions. It is established that for the last 150-170 years in the Shipov oak forest on the border of the forest-steppe and steppe there were repeated periods of water logging. Periods of high standing of the ground water level contributed to the abundant release of springs. These periods alternated with periods of high-water scarcity and, as a result, the depletion of springs. Conclusion. The spring waters of the Shipov Forest are a good indicator that can be used to explain the natural growth of oak forests on the northern border of the steppe.