Forestry and ecological features of fallen dead wood stocks distribution in forest ecosystems of Kaniv Dnieper region

Abstract

Dead wood is an important component of forest ecosystems that performs a number of ecological functions. The purpose of the article is to study the forestry and ecological features of the distribution of fallen dead wood (lying woody debris) stocks in forest stands of the Kaniv Dnieper region (Middle Right Bank Dnieper, Forest-steppe of Ukraine). The study was carried out based on State forest inventory data of the forest fund of the former State Enterprise «Kanivsky Forestry» with a total area of 24,558.6 ha. The area of forest stands in which fallen dead wood was found during forest inventory was 2,550.3 ha or 10.4% of the total forest area. In general, fallen dead wood was found in the forest stands of 18 tree species with a total stock of 21,255 m3. In forest stands where fallen dead wood was found the average volume of by tree species ranging from 5.0 m3∙ha–1 (elm (Ulmus minor Mill.), small-leaved linden (Tilia cordata Mill.), black poplar (Populus nigra L.), common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), green ash (Fraxinus lanceolata Borkh.) up to 17.8 m3∙ha–1 (white willow (Salix alba L.), in general for all tree species — 8.5 m3∙ha–1. In the stands of the prevailing tree species — Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), the average volume of fallen dead wood was 9.1 m3∙ha–1 and 8.5 m3∙ha–1, respectively. The average volume among trophotopes was the largest in hrud (dibrova) — 8.7 m3∙ha–1, and the smallest — in bir, 5.2 m3∙ha–1. Among hygrotopes, the average volume was from 5.3 m3∙ha–1 (damp conditions) to 11.0 m3∙ha–1 (wet conditions). Fallen dead wood was found in 16 out of 32 forest types that are represented in the forest fund of the studied object, with an average volume of 5.0 m3∙ha–1 (wet oak-pine subir, damp black alder suhrud) to 18.4 m3∙ha–1 (wet floodplain willowpoplar suhrud). In general, the average volumes of fallen dead wood in forest stands are low, which may be related to forestry activities (cutting). The data we obtained are important for research into the peculiarities of the formation of woody detritus stocks in the forest types of the Middle Right Bank Dnieper of Ukraine and protective functions of dead wood.