The current state of anti-erosion pine plantations of the Dnieper Right Bank Forest Steppe

Abstract

The current state of pine plantations created on the timber-beamed lands of the Right Bank Dnieper region is analyzed. It has been established that the most influential factors that significantly impair the condition of anti-erosion pine plantations are Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. and grass fires. Based on the data of 26 test areas, which cover typical conditions of growth of anti-erosion plantations, indicators of sanitary condition were calculated. The analysis of the sanitary condition indicator showed that the plantations belong to the category of weakened. In separate test areas, where the damage of H. annosum is combined with the impact of fires, the plantations go from the category of weakened to the category of very weakened. Very weakened trees make up 21,3 %, their sanitary condition index ranges from 2,61 to 3,21. The mass of dry matter, windfall, and broken snow varies from 0,2 to 8,1 % of the total stock of plantations per 1 ha. No direct connection between the accelerated fall of Scots pine trees and the spread of forest pests was found. The best condition of anti-erosion plantings was observed in conditions of fresh sudibrow under mixing schemes 2rSz1–2rKlg. In fresh forests, the share of pine in the composition of plantations must be reduced in favor of deciduous species. In the process of formation of the species composition of the tree stand on eroded lands, an increase in the share of Scots pine by more than 6–7 units, and a corresponding decrease in the share of accompanying deciduous species leads to a significant deterioration in the sanitary condition of the plantation. In order to prevent the development of H. annosum, it is necessary to create mixed plantations of Scots pine with the introduction of deciduous species, which at the same time will act as a fire barrier. Considering the high level of fire danger and the wide distribution of H. annosum in pine plantations on the eroded lands of the Right Bank Dnieper region, it is necessary to apply a system of preventive measures aimed at preventing their negative impact. Key words: anti-erosion plantations, plowed-beam lands, sanitary state of plantations, Heterobasidion annosum, forest lowland fires, index of sanitary state.