Reforestation trials in the Khabarovsk Territory, Russia

Abstract

Enormous areas of primary forest in Russia have been and continue to be destroyed by fire and harvesting. Almost all of these areas have been left to reforest naturally. Little reforestation by planting has been attempted and these efforts have met with limited success. Consequently vast areas are without forest cover and are unlikely to have a positive carbon balance. Weyerhaeuser Company initiated co-operative forest planting trials in the Khabarovsk Territory in 1989. Native seeds from this area were brought to the U.S. and used to produce high quality containerised seedlings. These seedlings were then used in research trials and small operational plantings in 1991 and 1992 near Vanino and Khabarovsk. In both 1993 and 1994, seedlings were provided for large-scale operational plantings in the Khabarovsk Territory. Seedling survival has generally been greater than 90% and growth has been excellent over a wide range of site conditions. The operational planting results demonstrate that contrary to local opinion, reforestation practices proven elsewhere can be used to successfully reforest sites that have been burned or harvested in this region. Key to the operational planting success were high quality seedlings, good logistical support and a well trained, organised and positively motivated work force.