The structure of Scots pine and Black locust forests in the Northern Steppe of Ukraine

Abstract

The article describes the distribution of areas of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris Linnaeus) and Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia Linnaeus) stands within the Northern Steppe of Ukraine based on forest biometry data. The total area of Scots pine stands is 21,472.9 ha, of Black locust it is 17,683.7 ha, which corresponds to 24.6 and 26.9% of the total forest-covered area. Scots pine is partly naturally, partly artificially regenerated. Black locust stands are man-made forests only. Both species form mainly pure stands within the study area. Mean age of Scots pine is around 60 years with a mean wood stock of 292 m3.hа-1. The dominant Black locust stands are overmature ones with a mean age of 43 years and a mean stock of 149 m3.hа-1. Generally, for both species, an increase in mean wood stock was observed, reaching its maximum at 71 to 75 (Scots pine) and 81-85 (Black locust) years of age. It has been demonstrated that the largest area of Black locust stands is represented by relatively rich soil conditions (54.3%), whereas in Scots pine stands there are relatively poor soils (56.5%).