Reforestation of Scots pine stands in the Luhansk region after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: predictive modeling

The current stumpage price in harvesting of a 50-year-old sugi (Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica) plantation is not enough to motivate forest owners to reforest. Therefore, it is vital to reduce the cost for reforestation after logging as well as for logging and wood transportation of the preceding stands. Low initial tree density has been emphasized as one of the important basic measures to reduce directly the reforestation costs. In this study, for better understanding of the mechanical properties and dimensional stability of lumbers from sugi trees grown in low initial tree density, we examined the effects of initial tree density on wood density and microfibril angle of the S2 layer in the secondary wall of tracheids in rings from pith to bark in a sugi cultivar (Tosaaka) grown in a Nelder plot (initial density zoning symbols; D (4823 trees/ha), E (3349 trees/ha), G (1615 trees/ha), H (1122 trees/ha) and J (541 trees/ha)). Ring width and latewood percentage in J tree (541 trees/ha) were significantly larger and smaller than those of other initial tree density zoning symbol trees, respectively. Average wood density and earlywood wood density in J tree (541 trees/ha) were significantly smaller than those of other initial tree density zoning symbol trees (Tukey’s honestly significant difference test (Tukey HSD), p < 0.05). However, effects of initial tree density on the microfibril angles (earlywood and latewood) in rings from pith to bark and the transition patterns of microfibril angle from earlywood to latewood in an outer ring (ring number 22) were not significant or very small. Heartwood width in H trees (1122 trees/ha) and J trees (541 trees/ha) were significantly larger than those in other initial tree density zoning symbol trees (Tukey HSD, p < 0.05). There were no significant differences of ring width, average wood density, earlywood density and microfibril angle between H trees (1122 trees/ha) and E trees (3349 trees/ha) in many rings from pith to bark (Tukey HSD, p > 0.05). Based on these results of Tosaaka, a sugi cultivar grown in a Nelder plot, it was assumed that mechanical properties and dimensional stability of lumbers from sugi trees grown in low initial tree density (1000 trees/ha) might be quite similar to those from sugi trees grown in the regular initial tree density (3000 trees/ha), although lumbers from J trees (541 trees/ha) might be different from those of sugi trees grown in the regular initial tree density (3000 trees/ha). By taking the effects of genetic factor (variation of sugi cultivars) and the interaction between genetic and environmental factor (initial tree density) into consideration, the effects of low initial tree density (1000 trees/ha) on mechanical properties and dimensional stability of lumbers from sugi plantations in Japan might be smaller than the effects recognized in Tosaaka in this study. In this study, we did not examine the effects of initial tree density on the knots and the cross grain of lumbers. Low initial tree density might increase the negative effects of knots and cross grain on mechanical properties of lumbers. However, recent wood processing technology could minimize these negative effects.

The article presents a revised draft Concept of economic development of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, on the territory of which a system of stimulating the intensification of economic processes will be introduced, which can be further implemented in other regions of Ukraine. The Concept of economic development of Donetsk and Luhansk regions was proposed for discussion in October 2020 by the Ministry of Temporarily Occupied Territories together with interested central and local executive bodies with the participation of local governments. The Concept envisages the creation of three types of priority development territories (territories of communities adjacent to the demarcation line, throughout Donetsk and Luhansk regions, on the territory of separate industrial and recreational clusters, including innovation and industrial parks, with a special regime of innovation and investment activities). Five groups of measures for the implementation of the Concept of economic development of Donetsk and Luhansk regions have been identified: improvement of regulatory policy and introduction of authentic institutional and financial instruments; industrialization of the real sector of the economy and its innovative development; development of critical infrastructure and logistics; formation of a balanced regional labor market; formation of information and communication space of Luhansk and Donetsk regions. Based on the results of the Concept implementation, it is planned to develop an appropriate Strategy and action plan. This set of regulations will allow to form a territory of priority development with a new structure of the economy and to modernize industrial production on an innovative basis, increase the share of innovative enterprises in the real sector, increase exports and the share of highly processed products, overcome logistical constraints and increase a transit region potential, increase revenues to the local budgets of the amalgamated territorial communities of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, create jobs, increase incomes, leave the youth of the regions and involve them in solving problems of economic development of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The structure of ancient native pinewoods and other woodlands in the Highlands of Scotland

The main features of geological and tectonic structure, relief, climate, hydrography, soils, natural vegetation are outlined in the article, as well as landscapes are described and the scheme of physical and geographical zoning of Luhansk region (Ukraine) is given. The analysis of the southern (right bank of the Seversky Donets River) and northern (left bank of the Seversky Donets River) parts of Luhansk region from the standpoint of land development. Intensive and extensive agricultural activity over the centuries and the consequences it has led to have been studied. Emphasis is placed on the irrational attitude to the natural resources of Luhansk region, which refers it to environmentally dangerous (problematic) regions of Ukraine. The purpose of this publication is to analyze the spatial features of land use, namely the natural preconditions for land development in Luhansk region (Ukraine). Statement of scientific and practical problem. The territory of Luhansk region, as of today, is characterized by a high level of economic development, which has exacerbated environmental problems, the solution of which requires, first of all, change the structure of land use, reclamation of eroded lands, create land protection projects and implement them. The greatest environmental danger is posed by lands occupied by mining enterprises and industries, as well as those lands that are in their area of influence. That is why the study of natural preconditions for land development in Luhansk, features of geological and tectonic structure, relief, climate, hydrography, soils, natural vegetation, as well as landscapes of Luhansk region is a key element in solving these problems in the study region. Relevance and novelty of the study. One of the most important components of the natural environment of human life are land resources, which are the main means of production, the most important component of the resource base of agriculture, as well as the spatial basis for the location of all sectors of the economy. The invaluable importance of land resources in all spheres of human life necessitates their study and implementation of the idea of comprehensive protection of productive lands as a guarantee of food, economic and environmental security of the state. In Ukraine, there is a very critical situation in agricultural land use. Land resources are rapidly degrading, which in the future may threaten the food security of the state. A striking example of human waste is the practice of irrational land use in Luhansk region, which is located in the far east of Ukraine. Due to the special circumstances of today (military action in the Luhansk region) research in the field of land resources is becoming very acute. Among the administrative regions of Ukraine, Luhansk region has the worst indicators of land use, especially the state of land resources. Physical disturbance of soil cover due to erosion, disturbance of physical and chemical processes in soils, reduction of land productivity leads to the loss of part of the land value of the object of labor. Soils mostly suffer from excessive plowing, ie due to suboptimal land structure. Over the last century, land degradation due to the intensification of negative both purely natural and anthropogenically conditioned and enhanced processes has become catastrophic. Analysis of recent publications on the research topic. Land resources both in Ukraine and in the world have been the subject of research for a long time, so many scientists of various profiles study them in many ways. In particular, the issues of land use and protection are studied by L. Ya. Novakovsky (2015), A. Ya. Sokhnych (2018), M. G. Stupen (2019), A. M. Tretyak (2018). The issue of ecologically safe land use is the subject of research by V. O. Belolipsky (2015), D. S. Dobryak (2006), O. M. Drugov (2012). Problems of concentration of agricultural land use in the conditions of completion of land reform are raised by O. P. Kanash (2010), O. V. Lazareva (2015). A. M. Joss (2002), O. O. Kiselyova (2019), G. G. Kominova (2003), P. A. Milekhin (2002) and others dealt with the problems of land use optimization in Luhansk region at different times.

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; One peculiarity of tourism development in the post-conflict territories of the Ukraine-controlled part of Donetsk and Luhansk regions is the possibility of development of military tourism and this is the urgent problem considered in the proposed article. The relevance of the article lies in the possibility of exploiting the existing negative factors in certain eastern territories and turning them into a source of interest and a point of no return. Military tours can have an enormous educational and instructive value both for the younger generation and for all people’s understanding of what conflict situations can lead to. The aim of the work is to develop proposals for the creation of innovative military tours as a feature of post-conflict tourism development in the affected area. General scientific methods, namely analytical, comparative-geographical, historical and marketing analysis are applied. World experience in organizing military tourism was analyzed and some recommendations for organizing such tours in Ukraine, and particularly in Luhansk and Donetsk regions, were revealed. The author’s classification of possible military tours in our country is offered. Recommendations on development of military tours to Ukraine are formed. Ukraine-controlled parts of Luhansk and Donetsk regions are evaluated as potentially promising areas for military tourism development. We have suggested specific tourist locations for creating military tours and developed proposals for creating innovative military tours as a feature of post-conflict tourism development in the affected areas in Ukraine’s eastern regions. The organizational mechanism of creating and promoting military tours on the tourism market on the example of the eastern territories of Ukraine has been studied. It is determined that military tours in the post-conflict times can become one of the promising directions of economic development of the eastern regions of Ukraine. The key provisions, factual material and conclusions of the article can be used for further research into the process of tourism development in Luhansk and Donetsk regions in order to develop the national tourism industry. In the future, similar tours may be developed throughout the region after the reintegration process.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Stand density estimation based on fractional vegetation coverage from Sentinel-2 satellite imagery

The article researches the role of foreign specialists – Europeans in the formation of the industrial base of the Luhansk region at the end of the XVIII – the first half of the XIX century. It is noted that despite its political and scientific importance, this topic is practically not researched by representatives of Ukrainian historiography. First of all, are highlighted the activities and results of Charles Gascoigne, who in 1795 created two leading Luhansk enterprises – a coal mine in Lysychansk and a metallurgical plant in Luhansk. Are shown the reasons for the failure of the Gascoigne project, the most important of which is the lack of infrastructure that would allow the supply of industrial products from the Luhansk region to the southern region of modern Ukraine. This problem is tried to overcome with the help of foreign specialists, who proposed the organization of water communication on the Siverskyi Donets River for the transportation of industrial goods. As a result of the conducted research, the authors reached the following conclusions. The development of industry in the Luhansk region, which involved European specialists at the end of the XVIII century failed. The main reason for this failure was the lack of infrastructure to connect the Luhansk region with the southern regions of Ukraine. The proposed projects of European specialists in the organization of the river connection did not bring a positive result. Created by the voluntarist decision of the government of Catherine II, cut off from the places of supply and leading sales markets, the base of heavy industry in the Luhansk region was barely able to support itself in the first half of the XIX century, and could not provide resources and cannons during the war of 1853 – 1856. As is known, the ineffective support of the army became one of the main reasons for the humiliating defeat. The next period of industrial development of the Luhansk region (more successful) began in the 1870s and was associated with the wide involvement of private foreign capital and the active construction of railways. We will consider this aspect in the following scientific articles.

This report examines the involvement of the population of the occupied territories of Ukraine of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the invasion of the territory of Ukraine in 2022 by the armed forces of the Russian Federation. It focuses on the body of evidence for the forced mobilization of the student youth population in these two regions in the lead up to invasion and assesses the implications of this mobilization effort.

Currently, there is no consensus on how growing conditions affect the heartwood formation in Scots pine. Comparing the results obtained by different authors is difficult due to methodology differences and poor descriptions of the objects used. We selected two sample plots in (1) a blueberry pine forest on nutrient-rich and moist soil and (2) a lichen pine forest on nutrient-poor and dry soil and performed their detailed characterization. The sample plots were located 22 km apart in the middle taiga subzone (Karelia Republic, northwest Russia). In each sample plot, we selected five dominant trees (model trees), from which we took cores at different trunk heights (0.3, 1.5, 4.5, 7.5 and 10.5 m). The cores were treated with 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol to identify the heartwood zone. Additionally, samples were taken to study the structural features of the transition zone between sapwood and heartwood. In both forest types, the number of heartwood rings depended on the cambium age, and the patterns of parenchyma cell death did not differ in the transition zone. These facts point to a predominantly internal regulation of the heartwood formation in Scots pine. The heartwood radius and its proportion on the cross-sections were significantly higher in the blueberry pine forest than in the lichen pine forest, despite the relative values of the annual ring width. Further research is needed to develop successful Scots pine heartwood width models under a wide range of conditions.

The wood properties of standing trees are usually measured through destructive sampling, which is laborious and limited in terms of the number of observations that can be collected across a range of forest structures. In this thesis, the potential of bi-temporal laser scanning (LS) was explored to address these limitations by establishing a link between wood properties and the development of external tree characteristics. This thesis is an amalgamation of Studies I–III, in which all the experiments were conducted at the Evo study site in Southern Finland, encompassing diverse boreal forests. Study I assessed the feasibility of detecting increments in crown metrics using bi-temporal airborne LS (ALS) acquired over a 5-year time interval. Significant increments were obtained across different crown metrics, the most prominent being recorded for crown volume and crown surface area. Differences were also noted between tree species in relative increments of the crown metrics, with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) differing significantly from Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] H. Karst.) and birch (Betula spp.), though species still accounted for a small portion of variability. The increments in tree height and crown metrics observed over a 7-year monitoring period, in addition to their initial state, were then used to explain stem volume growth (ΔV) in Study II. To avoid point cloud occlusion, which typically occurs when the data is acquired using either aerial or terrestrial platforms, a combination of helicopter-borne ALS and terrestrial LS point clouds was used for the tree observations. Scots pine showed the highest associations between ΔV and tree height, crown projection area, and crown perimeter. By contrast, increments in crown volume and crown surface area emerged as highly important metrics for predicting the ΔV of Norway spruce and birch using random forest regression. Building on these findings, Study III addressed the use of bi-temporal ALS for assessing wood properties and their variations between the trees and stands represented by the sample plots. Wood properties were measured using X-ray microdensitometry over 15 growing seasons corresponding with ALS acquisitions. It was demonstrated that the mean annual increment in tree height was moderately associated with mean ring width across all species at both levels of the tree (RWmean-tree) and sample plot (RWmean-plot). In turn, basal area weighted mean wood density showed limited associations with the growth metrics, with only Scots pine yielding significant models at both levels of the tree (WDmean-tree) and sample plot (WDmean-plot). However, accounting for plot-level variability in linear mixed-effect regression improved the explanatory power of both the WDmean-tree and RWmean-tree models at the tree level. Overall, this thesis contributes to the current knowledge by demonstrating the feasibility of utilizing bi-temporal point clouds to characterize increments in tree and crown metrics. It provides insights into methodologies for assessing growth allocation and highlights the potential of tree and crown metrics to explain wood properties and their variations non-destructively and repeatedly.

Stand establishment and early height growth of planted Scots pine and Norway spruce trees were investigated in relation to microsite conditions. The 20 - year old pure and mixed stands studied are located on a six hectare experimental site with a harsh climate at high altitude in Swedish Lapland. Observations were made on 360 circular sample plots, each with a 3 m radius, laid out in a systematic pattern over the site. The site conditions were measured separately for each sample plot and were related to seedling survival and mortality, height, and height increment of single trees on individual sample plots. The results show that seedling survival and height increment of single trees are correlated with ground vegetation, frost holes, logging residues and stump occurrence at the local level of 3 m circular plots, as well as with local elevation and tree species mixture. In the stand establishment phase, Scots pine was found to be more sensitive to site conditions than Norway spruce. For Scots pine, this was seen in generally lower survival rates, and in more negative survival correlations with microsite conditions. In the early growth phase, Norway spruce was found to be more sensitive to site conditions than Scots pine. This was seen in both greater height variation among the spruce trees, and more obvious effects of microsite conditions on their height growth. The ground vegetation at the sites was also studied, with regard to its distribution in space and development in time.

This study describes the variation in the planting results for 3-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and 4-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) using direct seeding in privately-owned regeneration areas in southern Finland. The study material consists of operative forest regeneration quality management inventory areas from the years 2000–2006. The effect of both the regional and the administrative levels as well as ecological factors was modelled on the basis of the hierarchy structure forestry centre, Forest Owners’ Association (= FOA), forestry professional, regeneration area and sample plot. The major part of the variation occurred at the sample plot and regeneration area level. Particular attention was paid to observation of the clustered spatial distribution of Scots pine seedlings. The FOA and forestry professional levels explained 5% of the variation in Norway spruce planting and 11% of the variation in Scots pine direct seeding. Applied forest regeneration operations, site and soil characteristics were included in the fixed effects. In the planting of Norway spruce the most important factor explaining the regeneration result was soil preparation. Mounding produced better results than patching and disc trenching. The site and soil characteristics were other important factors in the operations. The selection of direct seeding of Scots pine on too fertile, fine textured or moist sites yielded poor results.

The purpose of the article is to summarize and present the differences between the regions of Ukraine on the level of development of the regional economic space from 2010 to 2020. The clustering of the regions is performed on the basis of the author's methodical approach to assessing the level of development of the economic space of the regions. Methodology. The methodological approach consists of five consecutive stages of assessing the state of the regional economic space on the basis of official statistical data. The k-means algorithm is used to cluster the regions. The implementation of the proposed methodological approach is carried out on the basis of statistical data of the regions of Ukraine for the period 2010-2020. Comparison of the array of statistical data for the period 2010-2020 for the regions of Ukraine is carried out by regions and territories for which statistical data are available. Due to the Russian invasion in 2014, there is no statistical information about the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol and part of the temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The results of the study showed that the regions of Ukraine are divided into six separate clusters, depending on the level of development of the regional economic space, in particular, the intensity of processes in the economic space. Most regions of Ukraine change the cluster only once during the period 2010-2020. At the same time, for example, Donetsk region changed its position in the clusters six times during this period. Regions of Ukraine in 2010-2014 formed three clusters with more than three regions, then three years later there were two clusters with more than 5 regions, indicating a redistribution of regions between clusters. Practical implications. The division of regions into clusters allows to unify regional development policy in the context of regions with similar characteristics and at the same time does not imply the use of a single template for the development of all regions. The grouping of regions by groups of indicators allows to distinguish stable entities (such as Lviv, Odessa and Kharkiv regions), slowly changing regions (with processes of development or regression) and unstable regions (such as Donetsk). For each group it is necessary to develop a separate regional policy, depending on the characteristics of the cluster. The implementation of the developed methodology will improve the classification of Ukrainian regions by groups of indicators of regional economic space development for further improvement and unification of regional development policy. Value/originality. The proposed methodology provides an assessment on the basis of 67 indicators characterizing the level of development of the regional economic space and forming six groups of indicators, determining for the economic space intensity of economic processes; transparency; intensity of demographic processes; labor market functioning; business diversification; ecology and infrastructure condition.

Aim. To estimate the physical accessibility of pharmaceutical care by analyzing the territorial localization of the economic activities of the pharmaceutical sector of healthcare in the regions ofUkraine using the analysis of proportionality.Materials and methods. During the research we have chosen the method of proportionality, which allows us to estimate the uniformity of the territorial distribution by industry. The coefficient of localization determines deviation in distribution and variation of the socio-economic level of development of the regions. The values of localization coefficients fluctuate in the range from zero in the uniform distribution and to one in case of complete concentration, the greater is the variation of the coefficients, the greater the imbalance of distribution is. To conduct the study the official data of the State Service of Ukraine on medicines and drug control, and the State Statistics Service were used.Results. It has been found that in the four regions ofUkraine, in particular Volyn, Zakarpattia, Rivne and Khmelnytsk, there is not any economic activity of the pharmaceutical sector in production of medicinal products at all. The industrialized developed regions in production of drugs are Kyiv, Kharkiv, Vinnytsya, Zhytomyr, Lugansk,Sumy,Poltava regions. The analysis of the territorial placement of the economic activity of the pharmaceutical sector by the wholesale and retail activity in the regions ofUkraine has shown a uniform and proportional distribution. It is has been determined that in 10 regions ofUkraine there is no localization of the economic activity of the pharmaceutical sector by the import of drugs. It has been proven that the regions ofUkraine with the highest localization of the economic activity of the pharmaceutical sector include Kyiv and Kyiv region. The leaders in the number of the economic activity of the pharmaceutical sector, which provide the population with drugs, areCherkassy, Kyiv, Khmelnytsky region, while Luhansk region is the least provided.Conclusions. According to the results of the study it has been found that the main localization of all economic activities of the pharmaceutical sector groups falls exclusively on two regions of the country – Kyiv and Kyiv region. In four regions of Ukraine there are no economic activities of the pharmaceutical sector in production, and in 10 regions there are no economic activities of the pharmaceutical sector that import drugs. It has been proven that the least localized areas regarding the localization of the economic activity of the pharmaceutical sector are Volyn, Transcarpathian, Rivne and Khmelnytsky regions. The analysis of the number of the economic activity of the pharmaceutical sector, which provides the population with drug taking into account the size of the existing population, indicates a uniform distribution between the regions. It should be noted that this localization of distribution is solely due to the presence of wholesale and retail trade of medicines in all areas of the economic activity of the pharmaceutical sector.

The article describes the geographical aspects of the pollution of the territory of Ukraine of explosive objects as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian war. With the beginning of hostilities, Ukrainian lands became the most mined in the world. The problem of pollution of the territory of Ukraine with explosive objects has not been sufficiently studied by Ukrainian and foreign scientists. One of the reliable sources of information are the reports of various international organizations on this issue, for example, the World Wildlife Fund. According to various estimates, the territory of Ukraine contaminated by explosive objects is from ten percent to a third of the entire area of the country. The special features of the Russian-Ukrainian war are the establishment of significant minefields and remote mining of territories. Pollution of the territory by explosive objects is divided into five types: at the sites of hostilities, as a result of bombings and shelling, ammunition storage sites, lands mined by both sides of the conflict (aggressors and defenders). Significant land areas are contaminated with unexploded shells and bombs, especially Russian ones. Ukrainian territories along the border with Belarus and Russia are also mostly mined in order to protect against a potential invasion from these countries. By September 2022, sappers have examined and removed dangerous objects from only 10% of the territory of Ukraine. On solid minefields in the southern and eastern regions of Ukraine, the process of demining may last several years, provided the war ends. According to the military, more than 10% of the shells fired do not explode in the ground, creating an additional threat to soldiers and civilians. According to approximate estimates, more than 2 million such munitions lie in Ukrainian lands. In addition to projectiles, unexploded aerial bombs, rockets, grenades and other explosive objects were similarly left in the soil layer. On the territory of Ukraine, 18% of the total forested area has also been mined. This article provides examples of the scale of forest pollution by explosive objects on the example of Chernihiv region. In some forestry enterprises (Horodnyansky and Chernihiv forest enterprises) in 2022 more than 80% of their total area was mined. The area of land contaminated by explosive objects has increased significantly after the construction of defense lines by Russian troops and engineers in the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Foreign analysts tentatively named these multi-kilometer defensive fortifications the "Wagner Line" (Donetsk and Luhansk regions) and the "Surovikin Line" (Kherson, Zaporizhzhia regions). THESE linear defense structures combine systems of trenches, embankments, concrete fortifications, underground communications, minefields and other elements. The grouping of the regions of Ukraine according to the degree of their pollution by explosive objects is proposed. The first group includes Ukrainian regions in which active hostilities are taking place and which are mostly occupied by Russian troops. The second group includes regions from which the occupying forces retreated, leaving mined territories and facilities. The third group tentatively includes the border regions of Ukraine (near the border with Belarus and Moldova), which are mined by Ukrainian security forces due to the possible threat of an attack by Russian troops from these countries. The prospects for clearing the territory of Ukraine from explosive objects are the completion of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the training of the necessary number of sappers and the involvement of specialized equipment. More than 200,000 hectares of land have already been surveyed and demined since the beginning of the war. In Ukraine, the production of special equipment for demining territories has been established, and it is also provided by other countries in the form of assistance.&#x0D; Keywords: explosive object, military, minefields, territory, Ukraine, war,