Experimental facilities of the research data on forests of the National nature park “Prypiat-stokhid”

Abstract

Is presented silvicultural and mensurational characteristics of tested
material to assess the biotic productivity of stands of major tree species of
National natural park «Prypiat-Stokhid», which later will give the opportunity to
develop adequate mathematical models for components of phytomass and build
a system of normative and information providing major mensurational and biotic
parameters of trees and stands.
«Prypiat-Stokhid» National natural park, stands, age, productivity
class, density, productivity, temporary plots.
Forest-stratum investigations of forests presuppose conducting both field
and laboratory investigations. Estimation of biotic productivity is made according
to a special technique that involves conducting of field and laboratory
investigations with further processing of such data on personal computers with
the use of standard and applied programs.
For a long time the current territory of the National Natural Park “Prypiat-
Stokhid” has been receiving no attention from the researchers because of its
difficult accessibility in the past. Only at the end of the ХІХ century - first half of
the ХХ century the first floral investigations took place. That was connected with
the Prypiat valley human reclamation. Such investigations had fragmentary
character and concerned mainly flora of bogs.
Aim of the research is the aggregation of research data on the temporary
sample plots available for this region that would represent the main taxation
indexes and the most common conditions of growth of forest stands of the major
productive tree species of the NNP “Prypiat-Stokhid” for further estimation of their
biotic productivity and ecological potential.
Research methodology. Scientific investigations connected with studying
of biotic productivity of forest ecosystems involved a great variety of methods and
forms of scientific knowledge. During the investigations, the methodology of P. I. Lakyda focused on the
development of the system of standards of biomass estimation of trees and
forest stands with application of applied software for further processing of
research data on personal computers has been used.
Research findings. The research data for information support of
estimation of biotic productivity and ecological potential of forests of the NNP
“Prypiat-Stokhid” are temporary sample plots selected by an author (9 pieces)
and scientists of the Department of forest management, forest assessment and
forest management of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences
of Ukraine in the amount of 104 pieces, total area – 29,47 ha. Temporary sample
plots used in investigations represent stands of the major productive tree species
of the Park. Distribution of temporary sample plots according to the major
productive tree species is the following: stands of Scotch pine (planted) – 28
pieces, stands of Scotch pine (naturally occurring) – 20 pieces, stands of
common alder – 44 pieces, stands of drooping birch – 14 pieces, stands of
common oak – 7 pieces.
Temporary sample plots, selected according to the forest growth conditions
represent typological structure of forest stands of the major productive tree
species of the Park. Provided that nearly 56% of the selected temporary sample
plots belong to humid and moist hydrotopes and 38% belong to fresh hydrotopes.
That is a characteristic feature of forest growth in the NNP.
Age structure of forest stands of the NNP “Prypiat-Stokhid” is characterized
by prevalence of middle-age stands. Selection of temporary sample plots has
been made with consideration of this fact. Forest capacity is a quality criterion of
bioproductivity processes in forest ecosystems. According to a forest capacity
scale of M. M. Orlov stands with medium productivity prevail in the Park. Stands
of the II class of forest capacity take out the greatest percent.
Selected temporary plots depict in details the current state of forests in the
NNP “Prypiat-Stokhid”. Most of temporary sample plots represent stands with
average productivity. Along with productivity and age structure estimation of
collected research data as to a relative completeness of stands which
significantly influences productivity of forests is rather essential today. Relative completeness of the major part of research data falls on forest areas with the
completeness of stands of 0.7-0.9. It is important to note that there are temporary
sample plots with a relative completeness that exceeds the index of 1 (32
pieces). This may be caused by some incorrect data in standards used for
calculation of a relative completeness of stands (values of table sums of cross
sectional areas with the completeness of 1.0 is a little bit reduced in comparison
with the available ones that occur in modal stands).
Summarizing all above-mentioned information it is necessary to point that
aggregated research data adequately characterize the forest stands available in
forest funds of the NNP “Prypiat-Stokhid” and provide an opportunity to solve the
following tasks in further investigations:
- to work out mathematical models of biomass estimation of forest
stands of the NNP;
- to estimate total amounts of biomass and carbon contained in it on
the basis of the worked out models;
- to determine oxygen productivity of the forests of the park.