HISTORICAL ASPECTS OF FIELD PROTECTIVE FORESTRY IN AGRO LANDSCAPES OF UKRAINE

Abstract

The article reproduces the historical aspects of forest reclamation measures in the agricultural landscapes of Ukraine. As a result of the analysis, we have identified four stages of forest reclamation activitiesin modern Ukraine. The origin and initial stage of development of forest reclamation in Ukraine (the firsthalf of the XIX century — the first quarter of the XX century) are associated with the idea of correctingadverse climatic conditions with forest plantations and their positive impact on the environment, including agricultural growth cultures. This period was also marked by the substantiation of technologies forthe creation of protective plantations and the establishment of the first specialized state institutions onsteppe afforestation. The second stage (early 1930s – until 1952) was characterized by giving priority tofield-based afforestation on a national scale, which as carried out on a regular project basis. It was duringthis stage of development that the most productive period in the history of forest reclamation took place,which had no analogues in world practice in terms of the scale and novelty of scientific and technicalsolutions and their implementation. The third stage of development (1953–1975) began with a significantreduction in the volume of protective forest plantations and was generally characterized by instabilityin the development of forest reclamation. The last fourth (modern) stage of development (from 1976 tothe present) was marked by a general decrease in the volume of field afforestation. During this period, asignificant reduction in the scale of forest reclamation began, the planned volumes were not met, at thesame time there was a deterioration of the existing protective plantations and a decrease in their efficiency.It is known that forest reclamation in the system of agro-landscapes contributes to the improvement ofecological, agroforestry and environmental conditions and ensures the sustainable functioning of agricultural production. However, the forest reclamation infrastructure of protective forest plantations thathas developed in Ukraine is not effective enough. The area of protective forest plantations and forests for various purposes is not sufficient to ensure the stability of the agricultural landscape, and the fieldprotective forest cover of the country is only 1.3%, which is much lower than optimal. About 40% of fieldprotective forest strips have unsatisfactory condition and forest reclamation properties.Therefore, there is a need to develop a state program for the reproduction and rehabilitation of existing forest belts through the planting of trees and shrubs, as well as the creation of additional field forestbelts from the available range of fast-growing, climate-resistant species