THE ANALYSIS OF VITALITY STRUCTURE, AGE STRUCTURE AND RELATIVE PRODUCTIVITY OF ISOLATED DISTRICTS OF HABITAT OF OAK (QUERCUS ROBUR L.) IN DONETSK REGION

Abstract

The problem of reduction of plant biodiversity in Donetsk region through taking away land, changing its functional purpose, contamination, violation of functioning of ecosystems and destruction of natural landscapes continuously continues to occur against the background of not only the anthropogenic factor, but also natural processes, such as specifically varying abiotic factors. Because of the latter degradation and mass drying out of oak in nearly all parts of the species range is observed. The authors aimed to explore the neighborhoods of stands of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in marginal neighborhoods of its natural habitat by using the parameters of the main inventory indices of oak stands with binding to the indicators obtained by ERS (Earth Remote Sensing). The analysis of the vitality and the age structure was performed for 10 mostly natural stands of English oak (Quercus robur L.) in Donetsk region. The basic morphological characteristics, vitality index (IVC), the degree of prosperity (Iq) and plasticity index (ISP) was calculated for each stand of Q. robur. In stands plants of generative age dominated. According to the research, eight stands of pedunculate oak were classified as thriving and two were related to depression. With the program for Aerospace Survey data Landsat 8, the vegetation index NDVI has been calculated for the stands of Q. robur. Results of the analysis contribute to conclusion that calculated vegetation index NDVI of oak stands in the Donetsk region is correlated with indicators of vitality analysis.