Indicator of tension in the living space of protective forest stands

Abstract

The density of stands remains a controversial issue to this day, requiring a practical solution in terms of the optimal liquefaction of plantings without a significant loss of the quantitative productivity of the trunk stock of wood and the stability of forest stands. Only as a result of focused efforts can the patterns of natural liquefaction or the process of self-regulation of complex biological systems, to which the forest belong, be achieved. Natural liquefaction of forest stands is an extremely complex process due to its multifactorial nature, to the manifestation of which climatic, soil, biological conditions and many other mutual influences are involved. In forest biogeocenoses, the edifacatory role belongs to the main stand. This tier represents a group of tree species in a phytocenosis, which determines its structure and, to a certain extent, composition. In this study, it is proposed to evaluate the functional load by an indicator of the tension of the living space of the plantation. Since Scotch pine is one of the most common edificators, widely used in the creation of anti-erosion plantations on soils of varying degrees of washout, substantiation of the indicator of tension is carried out on its example. The formula for calculating the tension indicator of the living space, characterizing the growing conditions of the plantation, is given. The indicator of the tension of living space is the ratio of the average height of plantings to their absolute completeness. The verification of the proposed indicator was carried out using tables of the course of growth, highlighting the patterns of the structure of tree stands. A graphic interpretation of the static research of forest stands is carried out. If the values of the tension indicators coincide with the distribution curve obtained from the standard tables of the sum of the cross-sectional areas of tree trunks with a completeness of 1.0, this indicates the optimal use of living space by plantations. The values of the indicators placed above the curve indicate the intensive use of living space. If the values of the indicators are located under the curve - it is incomplete use of living space. Since there is continuous forest management in Ukraine, and for timely forestry measures, it is necessary to constantly monitor the state of plantations. For successful cultivation of anti-erosion plantings of sufficiently high productivity and convenience of monitoring their condition, the proposed indicator can be used.