Field Data for Assessing the Factors of Ponds Silting: The Example of Forest-Steppe Agrolandscapes (Central Russian Upland)

Belgorod Oblast is implementing the "Our Rivers" regional program, which includes scientific research to substantiate water body cleanup measures. Over 100 water bodies (ponds and river sections) in the region have already been cleaned of bottom sediments, removed tough vegetation, and other measures. In 2022–2024, the authors of this study carried out field surveys of 23 ponds within Belgorod Oblast, within the framework of this program. All the surveyed ponds were built between 1970 and 1990. The studied ponds are located in the western part of the region: 3 of them belong to the Vorskla River basin, 11 to the Seversky Donets River, and 9 to the Psel and Seym rivers.