FEATURES FOR DESIGNING AND ESTABLISHING MASSIVE ANTI-EROSION FOREST PLANTATIONS

Abstract

Introduction. The problems of establishing massive protective forest stands on the steep slopes of ravines and beams in the forest-steppe of the Volga Upland are considered. Massive protective stands on the slopes are established pure and mixed. Existing recommendations on the design, establishment and maintenance of protective forest plantations on agricultural lands do not always consider in detail the technological methods of establishing massive plantings on erosion slopes. The goal of the research is to offer technological methods for establishment massive plantings on erosion slopes based on the research data obtained by the authors and on the basis  of  the analysis of various publications on the creation of anti-erosion protective forest plantations. Materials and research methods. Study of state and growth of plantings was carried out on the basis of generally accepted methodological developments on permanent and temporary test areas. Results and discussion. When studying the mixed stands of English oak, the main parameters of growth and development of trees growing on different parts of the slope were determined. Comparing the growth indicators of English oak surrounded by small-leaved linden trees and yellow  acacia on  wood-shrub type of mixing at different levels (altitude difference 160–170–180 m), it was established that the growth rate of English oak in the middle part of the slope was higher than in the valley and in the approximate zone , while an intensive growth of the small-leaved linden tree was observed in the upper zone of the slope. On the basis of the study of peculiarities of growth of trees on different parts of the slope, it was determined that  it was typical a vast diversity in relief , intensity of geological processes,  soil-lithologic and hydrothermic conditions both for the slope lands  and any other  ecosystems which was specifying the necessity for a  differentiated approach for reclamation of the lands. Depending on the  high-altitude position of the relief, it is required a certain choice of the technology and  species composition when establishing protective forest plantations on the slopes. In the paper, it is offered a range of wood and shrub species  for establishing massive forest plantations depending on the ecological conditions of the slopes. Conclusion. To establish sustainable  anti-erosion plantations, it is important to take into account both the  fundamental strength  of the slopes and biopersistence of wood and shrub species  . According to the obtained in the research data, it is possible to note that establishment of mixed anti-erosion massive plantations is the best solution to  make favourable conditions for  anti-erosion forest stands in the conditions of forest-steppe in the Volga Upland.