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Agricultural land reclamation is of great importance in the creation and life of grass ecosystems. Even V.R. Williams in his book "Meadow Farming" (1901) wrote about the need for reclamation of meadows by drainage and irrigation, which is a necessary condition for obtaining high and stable yields. In 1969, an irrigation system on an area of 85 hectares was put into operation at the V.R. Williams Forage Research Institute, and in 1970 — a drainage system (closed drainage) on an area of 25 hectares. After the organization of the problem laboratory of "Irrigated Meadow Farming" in 1970, senior researcher and later the head of the laboratory B.I. Korotkov conducted research here on the study of irrigation regimes of hayfields and pastures. He was born on February 20, 1938 in the village of Mordviny, Kovrovsky district, Vladimir region. After graduating from school, he studied in 1955–1960 at the Timiryazev Agricultural Academy (TAA) with a degree in "Scientist agronomist" and worked for 5 years as an agronomist-meadow farmer of the Vladimir Meliovodstroy Trust. In 1965–1968, B.I. Korotkov entered and successfully graduated from the graduate school of the TAA, defended his PhD thesis on the topic "The experience of using irrigated by sprinkling cultural pastures in the Non-Chernozem zone". Together with his teacher, the famous scientist N.G. Andreev, B.I. Korotkov developed the topic of irrigation of pastures and hayfields of the Non-Chernozem region, including in combination with other methods of intensification of forage lands, developed criteria for pre-irrigation soil moisture, determined the capacity of the active water exchange layer, irrigation and irrigation norms. The result of their joint scientific activity was the book "Irrigated and cultural pastures" (1979), which summarizes the experience and achievements of science in our country and abroad. B.I. Korotkov made a significant contribution to the development of science and practice of irrigated meadow farming. He is the author of more than 100 scientific papers.

The article is devoted to the outstanding Russian scientist V.I. Vernadsky, who is one of the founders of ecology. As a student of V.V. Dokuchaev, he developed his ideas of a systematic dynamic approach to the study of nature and introduced deep scientific ecological content into the concepts of the biosphere and the noosphere. V.I. Vernadsky is the founder of the complex of modern Earth sciences (geochemistry, biogeochemistry, radiology, hydrogeology) and the creator of many scientific schools. In his scientific work, he covered many scientific areas, from geology to the study of the role of living matter in geochemical cycles, from soil science to the biosphere, the increasing influence of scientific thought, human activity in the biosphere and its transformation into the noosphere. The importance of agriculture in the biosphere and noosphere is considered. Biosphere is an area of active life of the Earth (troposphere, hydrosphere and part of the lithosphere), the composition, structure and energy of which are mainly due to the activity of living organisms. The noosphere is its thinking shell. Agriculture, the most important part of which are grassland ecosystems, is an important component of the biosphere, a reproducible, autotrophic sustainable resource (energy, environmental, food and feed). In light of the pressing environmental problems facing the world, environmental education and environmental thinking are a priority for the development of the biosphere, the noosphere and agriculture.

The paper is devoted to the outstanding Russian scientist Vladimir I. Vernadsky, who is one of the founders of ecology. As a student of V.V. Dokuchaev, he developed his teacher’s ideas of a systematic dynamic approach to the study of nature and introduced a deep scientific ecological content into the concepts of the biosphere and the noösphere. V.I. Vernadsky is the founder of a complex of modern Earth sciences (geochemistry, biogeochemistry, radiology, and hydrogeology) and the creator of many scientific schools. In his scientific work, he covered many research areas, from geology to the study of the role of living matter in geochemical cycles, from soil science to the biosphere, the increasing influence of scientific thought, human activity in the biosphere and its transformation into the noösphere. The importance of agriculture in the biosphere and the noösphere is considered. The biosphere is an area of active life on Earth (troposphere, hydrosphere and part of the lithosphere), the composition, structure and energy of which are mainly due to the activity of living organisms. The noösphere is its thinking shell. Agriculture, whose most important part are grassland ecosystems, is an important component of the biosphere, being a reproducible, autotrophic sustainable resource (energetical, environmental, food and feed). In light of the pressing environmental problems facing the world, environmental education and environmental thinking are a priority for the development of the biosphere, the noösphere and agriculture.

The perfection of ecological culture in agriculture is an urgent and high-priority state task. A dangerous misbalance is often noted in modern agricultural production in favor of economic interests and to the detriment of ecological ones. To solve this problem, a project is being implemented to found a professionally oriented scientific and educational center. Every year, students of the Faculty of Soil Science of Lomonosov Moscow State University, the Faculty of Soil Science, Agrochemistry and Ecology and the Faculty of Agronomy and Biotechnology of the K.A. Timiryazev Russian State Agricultural Academy and others are trained practically at the Federal Williams Research Center of Forage Production & Agroecology. Practical work and conferences for schoolchildren held on the basis of the Williams Research Center are also important forms of work. Schoolchildren, under the guidance of researchers from the Williams Research Center and accompanied by teachers of biology, geography, chemistry, learn to work independently with plants at the molecular genetic level, to isolate genes from plants, to study the processes of plant breeding and cultivation, to take care of experimental samples, and to observe changes in the growth of different varieties and hybrids plants...

The article is dedicated to the memory of the recently departed from us outstanding scientist of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of crop production, fodder production, meadow farming and agrochemistry, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor Koshen Bauyrzhan Makoshuly (Kushenov Baurzhan Makushevich). He was born on 16.04.1962 in Northern Kazakhstan (Akmola region, Akkol district, village of Barap). In 1979, he entered the West Kazakhstan Agricultural Institute, from which he graduated in 1984 with a degree in agronomy, qualification "Scientist Agronomist". In 1986–1989 B.M. Kushenov studied at the graduate school of the All-Union Williams Research Institute of Feed. After successful completion of postgraduate studies, he defended his PhD thesis on the topic "Effective methods of using pasture stands and caring for them in the conditions of the Central region of the Non-Chernozem zone of the RSFSR". From 1989 to 2003 B.M. Kushenov's career took place at the All-Union Barayev Research Institute of Grain Farming, where he worked his way up from a junior researcher to deputy director. From 2003 to 2015 Kushenov B.M. worked as the first deputy director of the Republican Scientific and Methodological Center of the Agrochemical Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan. From 2004 until the end of his life, he remained a professor at the Kokshetau Ualikhanov University. In 2010 B.M. Kushenov defended the dissertation of the Doctor of Agricultural Sciences on the topic "Agrobiological fundamentals technology of corn cultivation for silage and its use in the conditions of Northern Kazakhstan" in the specialties of fodder production and meadow farming, feeding of farm animals and feed technology. Throughout his life, B.M. Kushenov has been conducting extensive international activities, constantly strengthening the relationship between scientists of Kazakhstan and Russia, working on our common problems of increasing the productivity and sustainability of our agricultural lands, rational use and improvement of hayfields and pastures. Under his leadership, scientists from Kazakhstan and Russia jointly made a significant contribution to the development of agriculture and feed production in our countries. He is the author of about 300 scientific papers in leading Kazakh, Russian and foreign publications, including 26 monographs, 37 guidelines and recommendations, 45 copyright certificates and patents of the USSR, Russia and Kazakhstan.

100 years since the Establishment of the State Meadow Institute the Federal Williams Research Center of Forage Production & Agroecology celebrates in June 2022. The State Meadow Institute creation was event of the most important state significance. This event is extremely important for rational nature management, increasing soil fertility, obtaining high and sustainable crop yields, and preserving the productive longevity of our lands. In 1922 the Station for the study of forage plants and forage area was transformed into the State Meadow Institute (SMI). 1930 – SMI was transformed into the All-Union Williams Fodder Research Institute. 1992 – transformation into the All-Russian Williams Fodder Research Institute. 2018 transformation into the Federal Williams Research Center of Forage Production & Agroecology. Throughout its history, the Institute has proudly borne the name of its founder – W. R. Williams. Such famous scientists as V. R. Williams, A. M. Dmitriev, L. G. Ramensky, I. V. Larin, S. P. Smelov, T. A. Rabotnov, A. A. Zubrilin and many others worked at the Institute. The Institute's works (books, articles) have been published in England, Belarus, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, USA, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Switzerland, Sweden, and Japan. Scientific and practical achievements of the Institute were awarded 7 times with State prizes of the USSR and the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology, as well as Prizes of the government of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of agriculture of the Russian Federation, diplomas of Exhibitions and other awards. For services to the country, the Institute was awarded the order of Labor Red Banner.

In order to study the spatial distribution of biological and ecological patterns on the territory of the Volga region, geobotanical indication of flooding and salinization of the lands these regions was carried out. Geobotanical indication is used in the study, assessment, mapping and monitoring of territorial complexes and their components and is based on the analysis of the relationships of the geographical envelope as a whole. The article is the result of many years of interdisciplinary research. It is based both on the data obtained by the authors as a result of agro-landscape and ecological zoning and in the course of field expedition research, and on the analysis of long-term series of statistical information and literature sources. Intensive economic activity that requires the use of large amounts water resources, against the background of modern climate changes, leads to waterlogging in large areas. The weakening or termination of economic activity, the decrease in the volume of water resources used under certain conditions leads to the spread of land salinization. Flooding and salinization of arid lands near reservoirs, channels, reclamation facilities, functioning and abandoned irrigation fields, etc. occupy significant areas and are of great importance as environmental problems in the Volga region. The most dynamic and fast-responding biotic component of ecosystems to the occurrence of flooding and salinization is vegetation.

V.V. Dokuchaev’s ideas are the foundation of modern ideas about rational nature-usage methods in our steppes in order to ensure productive longevity of agro-ecosystems and agrolandscapes, to obtain high and sustainable yields. Agrolandscape-ecological zoning, analysis and assessment of the areas under study by the natural-economic areas of the southern European part of the Russian Federation (the Central Black-Earth Region, the Northern Caucasus, and the Volga region) were carried out with the aim to develop scientific bases for ensuring productive longevity of agrolandscapes in Russia. Scientific bases for providing the productive longevity of agrolandscapes and a system for assessing the status and management of agroecosystems and agrolandscapes in Russia have been developed. A balanced ratio of productive and protective ecosystems in the infrastructure of the agrolandscape (arable land, meadows, forests, and water bodies), grain, tilled crops and perennial grasses in the structure of sown areas and crop rotations is a prerequisite for creating an effective and sustainable agriculture. Systems of measures for managing agroecosystems and agrolandscapes include improving the structure of land areas, optimizing the structure of crop areas and improving crop rotation, improving farming systems, developing, implementing and optimizing norms for anthropogenic loads upon agrolandscapes in the whole and for individual elements of their spatial structure (arable land, pastures, hayfields, and forests), rational allocation of agricultural crops in the land use area, etc. Perennial grasses are the main source of carbon and nitrogen for replenishing humus reserves, as well as the main factor for protecting the soil from erosion. In the rational structure of the acreage, there must be a necessary and sufficient amount of perennial grasses and legumes (at least 20–25%) and a minimum one of clean fallows and row crops.

Agricultural landscapes (rural landscapes, agrolandscapes) are territories shaped by agricultural production. They have enabled the development of human civilizations and are a cultural achievement. Peasants, farmers and agricultural enterprises feed society. They have created agricultural landscapes for their business and habitats for their life. To understand transformation processes in agricultural landscapes, we analyse the history of agriculture with a special focus on Europe and Eurasia. Current agricultural landscapes in a crowded, globalized world are multifunctional, highly complex systems. They not only serve to produce food commodities and energy for the increasing and expanding urban population but also provide diverse ecosystem services and need to cater for the demands of the rural population. Current agriculture is highly productive in wealthy countries, but due to high inputs it is also responsible for environmental problems such as water pollution and loss of biodiversity. Industrial-style agriculture in large fields has resulted in increased productivity but simplified the structure of landscapes and eliminated elements of nature and rural culture. Major problems that urgently need to be addressed include trends towards disrupting natural cycles in agricultural production, soil and water degradation, ageing populations in villages and the breakdown of rural infrastructure. Agricultural landscape research provides analyses to understand these processes and helps elaborate sustainable scientific, technical and cultural solutions.

Agrolandscapes in Russia have to provide high productivity for a long time. We analyzed their current situation in the Central Chernozem Region. This is the region with the most fertile soils in Russia. The starting point of our analysis was the landscape-improving experiments by V.V. Dokuchaev in this region. Dokuchaev started landscape management experiments 127 years ago. The main measures were the creation of forest belts, the afforestation of eroded gullies and slopes, the sowing of grass and other permanent forage crops, and water storage and management. The broad-scale experiments still exist and may serve as a model for some future work. Dokuchaev’s work converted the steppe into a sustainable agricultural landscape. In contrast to these successful long-term experiments, most agricultural landscapes in this region were found to be in crisis. This crisis is characterized by the degradation of agricultural lands, by soil erosion and dehumification. The agricultural production is still too instable. Important Russian scientific research institutes such as the Federal Williams Research Center of Forage Production and Agroecology and others base their work on the theoretical concepts and successful experiments by Dokuchaev, Williams, and other outstanding scientists. Based on landscape ecological zoning, they developed research strategies and innovative field experiments for understanding landscape processes, installing sustainable land management measures, and monitoring soils and landscapes. Natural and semi-natural grasslands should play a more important role in sustainable landscapes. This is necessary not only for forage production, but also for biodiversity and environmental management. Measures for managing agro-ecosystems include improving the structure of land areas, optimizing the structure of croplands, and improving crop rotation and farming systems. Norms for anthropogenic loads on agrolandscapes in general and for individual elements of their spatial structure (arable land, pastures, hayfields, forests) will be developed in future. Some of these systems for the management of agro-ecosystems and agrolandscapes have been tested in various regions of Russia.

Most vegetated land on earth has been used for agriculture for hundreds of years, shaping the land’s features and functions. Agricultural (rural) landscapes are the basis for feeding the global population and meeting their many other demands. In the globalised world of the twenty-first century, agriculture is facing some crucial challenges: feeding more people whilst maintaining natural resources, biodiversity and landscape heritage, and mitigating climate change. This requires new knowledge, innovations and decision tools for taking responsible action. Research on agricultural landscapes provides analyses to help understand landscape processes and elaborates sustainable scientific, technical and cultural solutions. We report on recent progress in some topics of measuring, modelling and monitoring processes, and on organismic diversity in agricultural landscapes, focusing on developments in Western Europe. Information is also given about long-term experimental agricultural research in Russia and neighbouring countries. Results indicate that there has been considerable progress in understanding landscape processes based on experimental and modelling research on different scales. A number of landscape-related research methods and tools have been developed in recent years. These include high-tech measurement systems, models and decision aids, and tools for monitoring and optimising agricultural systems and for agri-environmental monitoring. Many of them also have potential for successfully tackling existing problems with the sustainability of agricultural systems in other landscapes and regions. Transdisciplinary international research projects are required to make innovations operable.

The characteristic of the spread herbal ecosystems in the agrolandscapes of the Michurinsky district Middle Russian province forest-steppe zone Central Black Earth of Russia is given. Meadow-steppe grass ecosystems with black earths and grey forest soils predominate.

The place and role of steppe landscapes in the formation of the ecological network of the Voronezh region are considered. Geographical patterns in the distribution of the steppes of the region, prospects for organizing a network of regional protected areas are highlighted. The ways of optimization of steppe nature management are defined.

—This work was carried out in the Dzhanibek and Bokey Orda districts of the West Kazakhstan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan in two key areas. The possibility to study the relationship between the distribution of the abundance of various lark species and their nesting habitats detected using high-resolution satellite images, ground geobotanical descriptions, and bird counts on routes with a variable width of the accounting band was evaluated. The image heterogeneity in a snapshot was analyzed by cluster analysis in the ILWIS software (Heckbert quantization algorithm) using three rasters as variables: infrared and red channel images and NDVI. The correlation between the number of some lark species and the share of some plant associations in the band of accounting routes was established using correlation analysis and approximation of empirical distributions by theoretical ones. A reliable relationship was established between the distribution of three lark species living in the Trans-Volga semi-desert of the Caspian lowland with certain plant associations which they prefer to use as nesting stations.