Optimization of the structure of protective forest plantations and their systems in agricultural landscapes of Ukraine

• Main Author: Anatoliy Stadnik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ukrainian National Forestry University 2018-05-01
• Series: Наукові праці Лісівничої академії наук України
• Subjects: steppe and forest-steppe forest-reclamation areas; categories and systems; tree species; types of forest site conditions
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.15421/411808
• ISSN: 1991-606X; 2616-5015

The intensification of agricultural production has significantly changed the structure of the land Fund, increased the ploughness and the proportion of arable land, causing intense processes of wind and water erosion. In such conditions, the role of protective forest plantations (PFP) of different purposes as the main stabilizing factor in agroforestry ecosystems is significantly increasing. In this regard, the issues of optimizing the systems of PFP as especially effective environment-transforming factor are particularly relevant and require a comprehensive assessment in the zonal context, taking into account their intended purpose, spatial orientation, location, optimal composition with consideration for typological characteristics, design parameters and other forest reclamation characteristics. The purpose of the research was to develop the conceptual basis for the creation of optimized systems of protective forest plantations in agricultural landscapes, to increase the protective forest cover of agricultural areas and to enhance the ecological role of protective forest plantations for various target purposes. The analysis of the volume of creation of field-protective stands (shelterbelts) and protective forest plantations in Ukraine shows that the area of the created shelterbelts decreases every year. The studies conducted in the Bug-Dnieper forest-land area showed that the forest shelterbelt percentage of the region varies from 1.8 % - in Kirovograd region to 2.1-2.2 % - on the territory of Dnipropetrovsk and Mykolaiv regions. The existing indexes of shelterbelt cover percentage in the country show that they are significantly lower than the established standards. The optimized system of protective forest plantations (PFP) of various purposes should ensure the formation of a steady-state agroforestry landscape which stabilizes the environmental situation, creates optimal conditions for the development, preservation and productivity of agricultural crops. On upland soils and arable slopes, a system of shelterbelts, windbreaks, and flow-regulating forest belts is created; The hydrographic network is supplemented by a system of riparian and riverian, ravine, gorge, floodplain and terraced PFPs. Creation of shelterbelts and flow-regulating forest belts on catchments is a determining principle for the balanced functioning of agricultural landscapes. Considered are: (1) categories and systems of PFP in forest-reclamation areas of Ukraine, (2) the main tree species for the creation of effective PFP, (3) peculiarities of their growth in the field-protective forest plantations of different species composition. The ways of creation of the optimized systems of PFP, nature-protection and ecological priorities in agroforestry ecosystems are substantiated. A typological approach has been developed to create optimized systems of field-protective forest plantations and rational use of phytodiversity, a list of woody and shrub species, as well as types of forest cultures for various forest site conditions is recommended. The results of the research can be used to create optimized PFP of different purposes. The increase of shelterbelt percentage will enable to improve the national ecological network of Ukraine, to promote the renewal of natural ecosystems and protection of agricultural landscapes, to foster the successful socio-economic development of the country. In addition, the threat of land degradation will be reduced and favorable conditions for agriculture will be created.