PECULIARITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF STANDS IN THE SIBERIAN LARCH PLANTATIONS REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN

Abstract

Introduction. Improvement of ecological and resource potential of forests through the enhancement of the technologies of forest regeneration and selection of the most economically valuable woody species is an important task for forestry. Siberian larch (Larix sibirica L.) grows quickly, it shows a high productivity and it is considered to be a long-lived tree. Thus, Siberian larch is one of the perspective species for target-oriented growth. The goal of the research was to revel the regularities for development of Siberian larch stands in the plantations, established in various types of forest growth conditions in the Republic of Tatarstan, and to describe them as mathematical models. Objects and methods of research were mensurational descriptions of plantations of all the forest districts in the Republic of Tatarstan for 01.01.2011 (over 2 ths. allotments). On the basis of these mensurational descriptions, an e-data base was built. Standard methods of mathematical statistics with the applied programs Excel and Statistica were used to process the collected digital material. Results. Statistical data and mathematical models, showing the dynamics of mensuration figures for the stands of artificial origin (Siberian larch) in various types of forest growth conditions of the Republic of Tatarstan, are given. It is noted that the nature of their development in various types of forest growth conditions and geomorphical districts of the Republic of Tatarstan is very specific. Larch plantations grow better in fresh oak forests (D₂). In 85 years, the standing volume of trunk timber is about 377 m³/ha (mean figures). Maximum mean annual increment of volume (4,35-6,21 m³/ha) is observed in 30-40-year old plantations. Maximum annual growth of list price (179,2-288,2 Rub./ha) which shows the optimum year for  felling of primary use, is considered to be for 60-year old plantations in  all the types of forest growth conditions. Conclusion. It is viable to grow Siberian larch plantations in the Republic of Tatarstan at large. However, it is necessary to improve the technologies of establishment and tendance for the plantations. To accelerate the process for obtaining the large merchantable wood, it is possible to opt for optimization of the initial density of plantations and timely cleaning cuttings.