Dynamics of Distribution, Amount of Undergrowth, Type of Forest Vegetation Conditions

Abstract

Peculiarities of natural regeneration of oak and related species in the conditions of the Northern Steppe were studied. According to the conducted surveys, over the course of 4 years, 21.38–58.19 thousand pcs.•ha-1 of natural renewal of undergrowth of various species were found. In seven-year-old crops, this indicator was somewhat lower and amounted to 40.26 thousand pcs.•ha-1. In six- and nine-year crops, the total amount of natural renewal was approximately the same - 24.1 thousand pcs.•ha-1 and 24.19 thousand pcs.•ha-1, respectively. As for the species composition of the undergrowth, the amount of preserved self-sowing varied greatly by year. Thus, common oak had the largest amount of natural renewal in six-year crops (5.23 thousand pcs.•ha-1). Even in seven-year-old crops, its preservation was 2.54 thousand pcs.·ha-1. In the following years, the conservation of this species was less than one thousand pieces.•ha-1. On the other hand, common ash had the lowest preservation in six-year-old and nine-year-old cultures - 3.52 and 3.84 thousand pcs.•ha-1, respectively. In other years, its preservation was much higher than that of oak, with the maximum amount in 7-year cultures – 19.1 thousand pcs.•ha-1. With the help of statistical data processing, it was found that there is a significant difference in reducing its quantity on one- and two-year-old log cabins. In subsequent years, there is a decrease in the amount of self-sowing oak, which over time completely falls out of the undergrowth. The natural regeneration of common ash, hornbeam, and maple has a significant difference in the age of the logs, but the increase or decrease in regeneration is not monitored due to the systematic cutting of natural regeneration during maintenance felling. There are no significant changes in the undergrowth of acacia, field maple, heart-leaved linden, birch and other species. Significant changes in the total amount of natural renewal were found in log cabins of all years.