FOREST FUND OF RIVNE REGION: STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS

Abstract

In the article, we investigated the current state of the forest fund of Rivne region, which is in the process of reform. We analyzed the dynamics of forest-covered lands from the 1996 to the present time. Forests of Rivne region by ecological and socio-economic significance and depending on the main functions performed by them are divided into the following categories: protective forests - 45085.4 ha, operational forests - 527010.3 ha, recreational and health forests - 63821,8 ha, forests of nature protection, scientific, historical and cultural purpose - 78253.9 ha. The study of the forest species in the Rivne region showed a predominance of coniferous species – 65 % (softwood – 25 %, hardwood – 10 %). The dominant species were found: pine – 65 %, birch hung – 14,8 %, alder black – 10 %, ordinary oak – 8.6%. The study of the age structure of the forests makes it possible to talk about its unevenness, since 12.5 % belong to ripe and overgrown forest stands, 23.4 % to young, 40.1 % to medieval. Average age of forest stands of the forest fund: coniferous – 54 years, hardwood – 71, softwood – 44. The study of the age structure showed the progressive aging of forests, an increase in the average age of over 10 years and an increase in the area of perennial plantings. Distribution of tree stands by age classes showed that the largest share of areas among all groups of rocks is occupied by trees of 5–7 classes of age, that is, medieval plantations. The youngest classes age 1–4 are most widely presented among softwood, 10–15 grades – among hardwood (about 20 %). That is, the smallest life spans are soft leafy breeds, and the longest are hard leafy breeds. In the study of the productivity of the tree plant, the following indicators, such as bonite, completeness, and stock of wood, have been studied, which made it possible to draw conclusions about the average productivity of the forests of the region. Woods of the Rivne region are marked by high classes of bonitet. The I and II bonitty classes make up more than 34 %. According to our estimates, the middle class of the forest stand bonite in the forest fund of the region is equal to I,72. The average completeness of plantations of the Rivne region is close to optimal and is 0.70. The most complete plantings are found: conifers, and the least – leafy. In the study of the productivity of the tree plant, the following indicators, such as bonite, completeness, and stock of wood, have been studied, which made it possible to draw conclusions about the average productivity of the forests of the region. The rocks of the forests are the closest to optimal. The main areas of forest ecologization in the Rivne region should be the multi-purpose use of forest resources and the continuity of forest use.
 Key words: forest, forest landscape, forest type, woodland, flood, forest fund, species composition, age structure, bonite class, completeness, forest use, reforestation.