METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH TO THE PRELIMINARY SELECTION OF THE BEST STANDS OF BLACK POPLAR BASED ON THE FOREST INVENTORY DATA

Abstract

Introduction

The International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) has created a network of Populus nigra L., co-ordinated by working network of European Program for the Conservation of Genetic Resources (EUFORGEN). In some European countries conservation of genetic resources of black poplar and their sustainable management has been integrated into national biodiversity strategies. The conservation of Populus nigra L. is important for Ukraine, too; however, the number of in situ conservation objects of Populus sp. gene pool is insufficient. Thus, determining optimal principles and criteria for poplar stands selection is significant and developing approaches to the preliminary selection of the best black poplar trees is important for poplar genetic resources selection in Ukraine.

Materials and Methods

The present study addresses the methodological approach and the results of the preliminary selection of the best stands of black poplar for genetic resources conservation, based on the content of the electronic subcompartment database “Forest Fund of Ukraine” of the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine with regard to the Forest-Steppe part of Ukraine as of 01.01.2011. In general, forest fund of Forest-Steppe zone has over 830 sites, where P. nigra is the main species. The total area of the stands at these sites is 5,095.2 hectares, including natural forest – 2,413.5 hectares.

Results

Selecting the objects of genetic conservation in forests of nature conservation, scientific, historical and cultural purposes, protective and recreational forests with a special mode of use has the advantages for a long-term perspective. The objects of conservation of the genetic resources of black poplar should be selected in stands with following mensuration indices: the age is from 20 to 60, the height is more than 10 % and diameter is more than 30 % higher than the average indicators in each age group, the stocking is 0.6 and more. The best stands of black poplars in Ukrainian Forest-Steppe grow in a wide typological range, from fairly infertile to fertile site types in fresh and moist forest conditions. In Forest-Steppe, genetic reserves should be selected in moist fertile and fairly fertile forest site conditions.

Conclusions

A method has been developed for preliminary selection of the best stands of black poplar for the conservation of genetic resources. Twenty two plots were selected in the Poltava, Kharkiv, Sumy and Cherkassy regions for a breeding inventory and selection of objects for genetic conservation of black poplar.

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