Ecological potential of pasture ecosystems of desolate steppes in the conservation of the saiga population of the NorthWestern Caspian Sea

The destruction of natural ecosystem resulting in reduction or even destruction of saiga habitat is the consequence of anthropogenic impact. The degradation of pasture ecosystem in Kalmykia reached a crucial level and the republic was announced as the disaster zone in 1988. The year 1998 witnessed the reduction of saiga population size from 220 thousand to 55 thousand animals. Registration works in 2014 showed further reduction of saiga to 12 thousand- 12.8 thousand animals. In general, the population of saiga in the North-Western Caspian region continues to be in depression despite low losses of new born saiga (6.2%). The degradation of pastures led to the next stage of population cycle characterized by lower reproduction ability of animals and high level of mortality. This process deteriorates due to worse living conditions during some seasons as well as by decreasing the ability of pastures to give feed.