Структура и распространение лиственничников на территории Среднего Урала

Abstract

The results of research describing the structure and distribution patterns of stands with larch (Larix sukaczewii Dyl.) in the forests of the Middle Urals of the Sverdlovsk region are presented. Larch forests grows on an area of 17,146 ha in all forest districts. The distribution of larch forests by age groups is heterogeneous, and its dependence is described by a third-order polynomial trend line with a reliable approximation value of 0,9671. The share of larch young forests of the 1st and 2nd age classes was 43,1 % of the total area of larch forests 7387 ha. Medium-aged larch forests grow on an area of 4493 ha (26,2 %). There is a low proportion of plantings (6,5 % or 1118 ha) that are older than average, but have not reached technical maturity. Forests with larch at the age of technical maturity and old-growth forests grow on an area of 4148 ha (24,2 %). The maximum average stock of larch stands (268 m3/ha) was recorded at the age of older than average, but did not reach technical maturity. Since larch is a light-loving species, natural thinning of stands occurs with increasing age and density decreases, so there is a decrease in average forest reserves at the age of technical maturity and old-growth forests (248 and 197 m3/ha, respectively). Intensive forest use has a significant impact on the distribution of the area of plantings by age groups, but a large proportion of young and middle-aged forests is noted as a positive fact, which indicates the success of larch reforestation in the forest-growing conditions of the Middle Urals. It is concluded that increasing the share of larch trees in the forest fund of the Middle Urals is advisable due to measures to care for the forest in the mountainous part of the taiga zone, and in the flat part of it is necessary to increase the share of artificial larch plantations.