Table of contents

FORESTRY-2018

Preface

International Jubilee Scientific and Practical Conference "Innovative Directions of Development of the Forestry Complex" (FORESTRY-2018) was jointly organized by Voronezh State University of Forestry and Technologies named after G.F. Morozov (Russia), Madrid Polytechnic University (Spain), National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Czech Academy of Agrarian Sciences (Czech Republic), Zvolen technical university (Slovakia), Research Institute of Forest Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology (Russia), Derzhavin Tambov State University (Russia),and the Federal Forestry Agency Rosleshoz (Russia) in October, 4-5, 2018, Voronezh, Russia.

The conference aggregated scientists, academicians, and young researchers working in the field of forestry complex. The main objective of the event was to generalize the experience of practitioners and researchers in order to share the latest knowledge and to strengthen cooperation between institutions in forest science, management and application.

The issue includes the manuscripts covering (1) Forestry, forest management and multipurpose use of forests; (2) Genetics, selection, seed production, reproduction and biotechnology in forestry; (3) Biodiversity of forest ecosystems, protection and defense of forests; (4) Forest park and landscape architecture; (5) Economics and management in the forestry complex; (6) Historical and social aspects of nature management; (7) Forest industry and mechanization of the forest complex; and (8) Innovations in the forestry complex.

We want to thank the Organizing Committee, the Institutions and Sponsors supporting the Conference who contributed to the organization of the event. We appreciate reviewers from Russia, Spain, Georgia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Slovak Republic, Poland, Turkey, Lithuania, Latvia, Portugal, Germany, USA, Finland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Canada, China, Romania, Greece, and India, who took time and effort to give a critical analysis of the papers included to the Issue.

Web-page of the FORESTRY-2018: https://vgltu-conference.wixsite.com/100letlf

The Organizing Committee of the FORESTRY-2018

Dr. Svetlana Morkovina

Voronezh State University of Forestry and Technologies named after G.F. Morozov, Russia

Editor-in-chief:

Prof. Alexander Gusev

Derzhavin Tambov State University, Russia

All papers published in this volume of IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science have been peer reviewed through processes administered by the proceedings Editors. Reviews were conducted by expert referees to the professional and scientific standards expected of a proceedings journal published by IOP Publishing.

The estimation of forest using Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data as auxiliary information has advanced substantially after more than three decades of studies. Numerous experiences have confirmed the potential of ALS data for the estimation of aggregated attributes such as volume, basal area or dominant height, and have developed methodologies to obtain predictions at a plot level.

This paper summarizes, interrelates and built new conclusions of different analyses on estimation of forest variables assisted with ALS data, in pine forests in the mountain systems of central Spain: Pinus sylvestris L., Pinus nigra Arn. and Pinus pinaster Ait. These studies also consider: 1) forest with different levels of heterogeneity, 2) different methodologies and protocols and 3) different spatial disaggregation units for forest inventory and management. All these factors make it difficult to directly compare certain results. However, the large amount of information provided by these studies allows having comparative examples, and providing references for future inventories. Other results regarding more methodological aspects, such as the sampling methods, plot sizes or ALS point densities can be extrapolated as procedures on a regional or local scale for the estimation of different stand features (species, basal area, dominant height, volume, etc.).

Systems of protective forest plantations actively influence the ecology of the landscape. The growth and formation of forest belts is predetermined by forest-cultural and agro technical methods of creation. The data on the growth of some tree species on humus-carbonate soils and chalk exposures are presented. The results of pure cultivation of pine forest stands are shown and recommendations on the formation of pine plantations are given. Dependences are got and thinning for the formation of productive and sustainable forest plantations in the conditions of fresh subor is suggested.

Fighting wildfires is one of the most important missions of Russian forest management. The most promising and safe means of fire-fighting are now the robotic fire-fighting vehicle complexes. The NPP "Tenzosensor" is developing a multi-agent robotic vehicle complex for wildfire-fighting by means of fire-protection roll screens, supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia and in cooperation with SPbNIILH and "Avialesohrana" Federal Budget Entities. The scientific missions of the paper are: substantiation of the fleet of the multi-agent robotic complex for wildfire-fighting by means of fire-protection roll screens; substantiation of the structure of the multi-agent remote control system; substantiation of the structure of the poly-joystick based remote control interface. The set goals were achieved by experimental modelling and a theoretical analysis of the results obtained. It is supposed that the performance of the robotic vehicle complex for wildfire-fighting could be equivalent to that of a brigade of 40-60 firemen.

A transect from the watershed to Voronezh reservoir storage has been made to study the influence of geomorphological factors on the biodiversity level of mosses and vascular plants in Voronezh upland oak forest (East of Russia). Taxonomic, ecological, biological, and geographical analyses of flora have been done. Geobotanical research methods have been used to assess phytocoenosis. Certain laws in ecotopic plants distribution and projective covering have been scored; the parameters to assess ecosystem biodiversity have been proposed and used in the studies. The three chosen zones are very different in a number of natural indicators, especially in mesorelief type and moisture degree. Mosses and vascular plants, while developing the habitats, are differently manifested in these areas. Very often they do not reflect landscape and environment peculiarities. But, according to the results, most plant species (over 55.9%), belong to mesophytes no matter which zone they grow. So, the near-valley slope zone of the Voronezh River is poor in species richness and density, genus and family diversity. These parameters increase towards the plateau.

During the realization of The Program for Reintroduction of the Leopard in the Caucasus in Russian Federation the mountain landscapes of the Western Caucasus within the boundaries of the historical habitat of the Pantera pardus saxicolor were explored. On the border of the Caucasian State Reserve and the Sochi National Park (Russia), we selected the area (50 km²) covered by mountain forests (95%). The most common tree species are: Fagus orientalis (40.9%), Quercus pubescence, Quercus petraea, Quercus iberica and Quercus hartwissiana (24.6%), Buxus colhica (1.4%), Castanea sativa (13.6%), Carpinus betulus and Carpinus orientalis (8.4%), and Alnus glutinosa (3.3%). We have revealed the presence of the following potential prey species: 3 individuals of Sus scrofa, 35 ones of Cervus elaphus maral, 20 – of Capreolus capreolus, and 12 – of Rupicapra rupicapra caucasica. Also we have noted that there are Lepus europaeus, Meles meles, Nyctereutes procyonoides, and Procyon lotor on the studied are. Based on the natural land' capacity, the population density of potential prey species has growth potential. The results showed that the territory has a high potential not only for periodic visits, but also as one of the permanent habitats of the leopard.

The main purpose of this work is to summarize the results of long-term variety testing of the intersectional hybrids obtained from controlled crosses of balsamic poplars with black and black poplars with balsamic ones. The research objectives were to study the growth, sustainability and productivity of intersectional poplar hybrids and to select the best of them. The object of research was the collection and testing site (populetum) made in 1974 on Typical Chernozem soil by stem cuttings with arrangement place 5 × 4 m in Semiluki forest nursery situated in Voronezh region. 13 clones of intersectional poplar hybrids were introduced into the test. The results of 40-year studies of their survival, height and diameter growth, trunk volume and wood stock dynamics are presented, which allowed identifying the most promising poplars' intersectional hybrids proposed in the assortment for the creation of the most fast-growing and sustainable forest and shelter belt plantations in the region. By the age of quantitative timber maturity of intersectional poplar hybrids (i.e. 25 years) their survival was 83-100 %, and the wood stock – 462 -641 m³/ha. Further by the age of 40 their productivity and sustainability also remained quite high (survival 63-96 %, wood stock – 417-764 m³/ha).

In this article we present, for the first time, the results of 20 years field trials of triploid white poplar (Populus alba L.) and grey poplar (Populus x canescens Sm.) clones propagated by in vitro culture in different edaphic conditions (6 clones in total). The soils of the test plots differ in fertility, chemical and physical-chemical characteristics, which had a significant impact on the plants' capacity for survival, health and growth. Low fertile, dry, acidic sandy loam and sandy soils are the least suitable for cultivating of in vitro micropropagated clones. In this case we had sandy loam soils on glaciofluvial monomineral quartz sands. The response to adverse growing conditions largely depended on the genotypic characteristics of the plants. The grey poplar clone named Hopersky 1 cultivar has shown the highest ecological plasticity as it has broad genetic basis (it is a hybridogenic species and allotriploid).

The population of the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L) significantly decreased in the Kursk region (Russia) in 70-90 of the twentieth century. The opposite picture is observed from the beginning of the 21st century. There is a significant increase in the population of beavers leading to enormous environmental problems. In this regard, the task for controlling the size of beaver population to minimize the environmental damage to their habitat falls on man. The first stage to complete this task is to measure the exact number of the Eurasian beaver population, and the second one is to optimize its number in accordance with the land capacity. Measurements in all districts of the Kursk region from 2013 to 2018 has been carried out using the method of linear accounting of the population and visual inspection. The result of the work is to identify the trends and dynamics of the beaver population, and to regulate the beaver population in accordance with the specificity of their habitat lands in future.

The utility of the compost worm Eisenia fetida (Savigny) for recycling mixed leaf litter of the tree species characteristic of the forests in the south of Western Siberia and used in the landscaping in the city of Tomsk has been demonstrated. The tree species that are the major contributors to the leaf litter in the examined area include the genera Populus, Salix, and Betula. Two-fraction substrates for leaf litter vermicomposting and conventional composting (decomposition with and without earthworms) were prepared of the harvested and dried leaf litter. The feeding fraction consisted of leaf litter moistened with distilled water and the absorbing fraction, of alluvial river sand. The physicochemical properties of the studied leaf litter were weakly acidic pH of aqueous extracts, a very low content of nitrate nitrogen, and a relatively low K⁺ concentration. The prevalent cation in the assayed leaf litter was Ca²⁺. The leaf litter was partially decomposed on the surface of sand substrates during 35-day incubation under humid conditions; accumulation of inorganic ions in the sand was one of the signs indicating this decomposition. Ca²⁺ was also prevalent among these ions.

Knife grinding machines – the basic process equipment for mill fibrous materials in a pulp and paper industry. In article the forces arising knife gap a backlash at mill chip and fibrous weight of high concentration are investigated. It is centrifugal force, force of friction of a semi finished item about grinding disks, force of pressure steam and axial force. Steam can promote promotion or, on the contrary, braking of movement of a semi finished item in knife gap a backlash. The contact task is considered and solved in view of a thermal emission in a zone mill. Formulas for definition of contact temperatures in a zone mill are received. Settlement values of temperature prove to be true experimental researches. The maximal temperature in a zone of contact is observed in a zone 0.50-0.70 radiuses sets. This zone coincides with a zone of the maximal pressure in which there is a zone of zero speed steam. Current steam is investigated in the field of contact of a rotor and stator. Conditions of movement pair from a zone of zero speed steam to periphery and to the center of grinding disks are revealed. Movement pair to the center of grinding disks is undesirable. Thus productivity of a mill decreases and hydrodynamic impacts grow by elements of a design of a mill. Such mode of movement steam depends on technological and regime factors mill and quite often arises at mill chips in manufactures of a thermomechanical and chemical-thermomechanical wood pulp. The steam is recommended to delete directly from a zone of zero speed.

Vegetation is an important means of city landscape since it provides for long-term protection of environmental urban sustainability. The paper deals with urban influence on the state, resistance and structure of parkland in Voronezh city (Russia) and describes a planning structure developed for sustainable vegetation under high anthropogenic load. Studied parklands located in different city districts have specific natural features, history of formation, structure, application and area. By means of the integrated approach to planning, monitoring and design of green space we have evaluated spatial structure type, sanitary and aesthetic state as well as plants condition, stability class, degradation degree and recreational load on plants. The results have revealed unorganized mass visiting of parks which causes deterioration and destruction of plants. Accordingly there arises a need to create a long-living parkland which would be resistant to adverse conditions caused by proximity of roads and mass visitation. The supply of plants for public objects, the state and resistance of plants to urban factors are indicators of sustainable parkland.

The studied plantation is a post-mining sites of Kursk magnetic anomaly located in the northeastern part of Belgorod region in a iron-mining district of European part of Russia. The objects of this study are afforested external slope heaps produced by iron open-pit mine in Gubkin. Research work focused on 13-years old pure stands of birch (Betula pendula), sea buckthorn (Hippóphae rhamnoídes), locust tree (Robinia pseudoacacia), oleaster (Elaeágnus angustifólia) and grey alder (Alnus incana) growing on the different substrates. Soil physical and chemicals properties of substrates were analyzed and forest litter stocks were calculated in different slope parts. Substrate quality varied considerably. Forest litter stock depends on site characteristics, tree species and substrate. Study results show that vegetation is the important factor facilitating soil development, the impact of forest litter stock that the surface structure determined is higher with such N-fixing tree species as alder, locust tree and oleaster.

The paper deals with an eight years monitoring of physicochemical properties of leached chernozem from mixed and broad-leaved forest of the Lipetsk region of European Russia exposed to large-scale fire in 2010. It was revealed that in 2011 the year following the forest fire, the soil had higher pH (7.21 in mixed forest compared to 6.01 of reference soil) and lower hydrolytic acidity, which decreased from 2.69 (reference soil) up to 0 [mmol(eq)/100 g of soil] compared to 2010. Due to fire, the humus content and exchangeable cations concentration decreased, particularly, from 6.08 up to 4.43 % and from 39.2 up to 37.6 [mmol (eq) / 100 g of soil]. Since in the period from 2011 to 2017 there was a drop in the content of alkaline-hydrogenated nitrogen (N_alk.-hyd) (from 24.1 up to 18.2), we found an increase in the content of mobile compounds P₂O₅ (from 7.78 (reference soil) up to 8.72). The content of exchangeable potassium (K₂O) went up from 18.5 up to 19.2 in 2011, compared to the reference areas.

This article discusses the implementation of public-private partnerships mechanisms, taking into account the specifics of forestry - the presence of significant risks and significant environmental orientation of the results. The main purpose of this article is formation of scientifically based method of evaluation of the collaboration between government and forest businesses based on multidimensional appraisal and matrix of cooperation. This method can be applied using a complex of both well-known (i.e. effectiveness and efficiency) and created by the authors criterions (i.e. riskiness and environmental sustainability) which are evaluated by experts by giving points to every criterion according to the scale of standard value. The method proposed by the authors is focused both on the assessment of quantitative parameters of the interaction and qualitative characteristics of public-private partnerships. As a result, it allows identifying problems in forestry. This method is unified and can be used in Central Chernozem Region as well as in the other regions of the Russian Federation. This technique also makes it possible to apply the complex of necessary measures to identify effective ways of interaction between government and business structures.

The paper deals with environmental properties properties of the soil cover taken from the Upland Oak Forest (Voronezh region, Russia). Morphological structure, physical and chemical properties, humus content and nutrients in urban forest soils are important for assessing their ecological status. Forest soils are characterized by a low degree of disturbance and close to the morphological structure to of the natural analogs outside the cities. Dark grey forest-steppe soils have the most favorable environmental properties. The low contents of total forms of heavy metals allows for the consideration of these soils in the category of environmentally friendly. The highest contents are characterized by the humus horizons of dark grey and grey forest-steppe soils, which maximum content is for Mn 754, Zn 49, Cu 13, Pb 16, Ni 25, Cd 0.26, Cr 60, Co 9, As 0.1, and for Hg 0.1 mg/kg. The content of mobile forms of heavy metals reaches Mn 105, Zn 0.9, Cu -.5, Pb 1.8, Ni 2.6, Cd 0.08, Cr 0.2, and Co 2.9 mg/kg. The obtained data can be used to assess the degree of disturbance and anthropogenic impacts on anthropogenic-altered urban soils. The study area may be used as a background in assessment of the urban environment.

Taking into account the high value of nuts of the genus Juglans, the increase in their production should go not only through the selection and breeding of the best varieties and forms, but also by shifting the existing border of cultivation to the north, into "new" regions, where nut-bearing crops are not yet widespread. For full adaptation, all components of plant resistance should be at a high level. In this regard, the main purpose of the work is to study and analyze the adaptive features of plants. Were studied local forms of the walnut, nut the manchurian, nut the black, nut the gray and nut the heartshaped. In determining the resistance of plants according on the main adaptive attributes, generally accepted methods based on artificial modeling of unfavorable conditions were used. An integrated approach to the determination of the stability of forms and species of nuts is proposed, which consists of an integrated assessment of the main components of plants, which has an advantage over the conventional field method of evaluation, since a reliable determination of stability in the field requires a long observation (sometimes several years). On the basis of indicators of comprehensive of the sustainability, a scale for the optimal use of forms and species of nuts of the genus Juglans in the Voronezh region was compiled.

Our research was carried out in the center of the Voronezh Region, Russia, in the pine forest "Khrenovskoy forest", located in the forest steppe zone of the Russian Plain. The samples for dendrochronological analysis were collected from 30 trees (1 core per tree). The climatic characteristics are taken from the data of the weather stations "Khrenovskoy forest", for the period 1936-1996 and Voronezh for the period 1862-2015. In accordance with the goal of the research, we identified high correlation coefficients (up to 0.42) and dispersion (up to 0.66) between the radial increment of Scots pine and the climatic limiting growth factors (sum of atmospheric precipitation, hydrothermal coefficient Selyaninova). We revealed a significant positive effect of the sums of atmospheric precipitation in May-August on pine growth (correlation coefficient up to 0.39) and a weak effect of air temperatures. The prevailing cyclic components of the time series studied are established: a high-frequency cycle (about 3 years) and a Brikner cycle (about 33 years). We have constructed mathematical models by the method of singular-spectral analysis (SSA). In the mathematical models constructed by us, due to the use of combined time series of climatic factors (the sum of precipitation, hydrothermal coefficient and indices of the radial increment of pine stands, for the first time a very high coefficient of similarity between actual and theoretical series was achieved: 78...90%.

The purpose of this research was the comparative study of the morphological traits of the poplars assimilation apparatus and their possible use in the selection process. Leaf area, not leaf length, was taken as a unit of the plastochronic index for the first time in this work. Analysis of the sigmoidal curve of the growth of the fifth leaf of the apical shoot of poplar showed that 80% of the maximum leaf surface is reached through an interval of 2.2 plastochrons and corresponds to the 20-day calendar age of the leaf. It is noted that the raw biomass of the cross-section poplar 'Hybrid e.s.-38' was significantly higher than in other compared varieties. Two groups of genotypes with a high and a low specific surface leaf density were identified. Average size of the leaf area, as well as the total amount of the assimilating surface of the apical shoot of the poplar 'Hybrid e.s.-38', 2 and more times exceeded the similar parameters of the poplars studied. Such changes in the current increment and age dynamics of the photosynthetic apparatus of the cross-section 'Hybrid e.s.-38' allow to recommend it in breeding as a parent material for creating promising varieties of poplars.

The paper assesses the impact of forestry practices on carbon balance in forest ecosystems the example of eleven regions fully or partly included in forest-steppe or steppe of European Russia (ER). Calculations made by the procedure «Regional evaluation carbon balance in forests», has shown, that yearly fires and other forest destruction causes harmed carbon stock by all pools of forest ecosystems the studied regions in amount of 2632,000 [tC year⁻¹] (tons of carbon per year) (87.3 % of total loss of carbon by forest ecosystems). Forestry practices such as salvage felling harm carbon stock of forest ecosystems in amount of 288 thousand [tC year⁻¹] (9.5 %). Improvement felling harmed it in amount of 108,000 [tC year⁻¹] (3.58 %). Only activities on forest restoration led to carbon stock accumulation in forest ecosystems in amount of 12 thousand [tC year⁻¹] (0.5 %) in the period 2007-2015. Total average annual carbon losses from forestry practices were equal up to 3,013,000 [tC year⁻¹] in studied forest ecosystems. Severe reduction of forest fires in 2016 led to a reduction in total carbon losses up to 397,000 [tC year⁻¹]. In general, during researching period the carbon balance has a positive value and was equal to 3,090,000 [tC year⁻¹] in the studied forest ecosystems in the period of 2007-2015, and rolled over to 5,706,000 [tC year⁻¹] in 2016.

Metal nanoparticles have unique properties that increase the growth and development of seeds of both crops and trees, thereby increasing plant productivity. The treatment of seeds with metal nanoparticles may ensure getting a high quality planting material from seeds with its further preservation. The possibility of using suspensions of nanoparticles of iron and copper in the range of concentrations from 2·10⁻⁴ to 2·10⁻² % when preparing the planting material in nurseries and in the conditions of the forest zone on various soils is shown. It has been revealed that germination of seeds in iron and copper nanoparticles (30-60 nm) suspensions with metal concentration of 2·10⁻³% results to the increase of the plant's resistance to infectious lodging (by 1.9 times), the survival rate (by 40-60%), and it's annual height (by 15%) compared to control. Although the use of nanoparticles in germination promotes the peroxidase activity, it inhibits catalase activity by showing the plant resistance to stress, while increasing growth processes. Seed germination increases to 10 % above the control, whereas the root growth increases by 25-30 %.

This study deal with the productivity of felling-bunching machine for differently aged forest when using conventional logging heads (CH) and multiple-tree accumulating head (AH). Experimental studies of logging technological processes using AH and CH-based felling-bunching machine were carries out for harvesting of large-sized and thin tree. We used total number of thin and large-sized trees in the working zone, 6...10 and 1...5 trees, respectively, and the average volume of thin and large-sized tree stick, 0.0042...0.096 and 0.26...2.26 m³, respectively, as independent variables. It is shown that the felling-bunching machine productivity per shift increases with the number of trees within the working zone. At the same time, with increase of total number of trees within the working zone, the productivity decreases. The highest productivity of the machine is in the harvesting only large-sized trees. In practice, it is possible to recommend joint harvesting of large-sized and thin trees, when the average volume of the large-sized tree stick does not exceed the two volumes of thin trees.

The significant reduction of shrubs and grass plants biodiversity between urban and reserved territory could be a biomarker of human impact and effect of urbanisation. We could conclude that trees are more resistant to climate change and anthropogenic pressure.The research of cytogenetic parameters for English oak seed progeny in the areas with different levels of anthropogenic pollution was carried out. High level of mitotic pathologies and mitotic activities of seed progeny plantlets from trees growing near freeway was observed. Also high level of variability indices, such as percentage of prophase cells, metaphase cells, mitotic pathologies were seen.

Accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) in the atmosphere of the planet accelerates climate change, and northern high-latitude regions are warming faster than the planetary average. This accelerated warming of northern regions is associated with multiple climate feedbacks, including those linked to the mobilization of old organic carbon previously sequestered in the frozen ground. This critical climate-feedback mechanism has major uncertainties, and may respond nonlinearly to ongoing warming at high latitudes. This study examines the role of freshwater ecosystems in the subarctic carbon balance, and addresses some sources of nonlinearity in the effect of climate warming on these ecosystems. Specifically, I examine the CO₂ and CH₄ dynamics in permafrost thaw-related ecosystems, and the associated biogeochemical processes. Our results show that major sources of variation in the dynamics of these two gases are associated with the geomorphological properties of the landscape, the degree of ground warming and seasonal biogeochemical dynamics. Accelerated climate change in northern regions may also intensify the CO₂ and CH₄ cycles in these regions, and may substantially increase the current CH₄ flux from these ecosystems.

The dynamic of industrial substrates penetration resistance changing on the recultivated field with the growing stock over a period of 42 years is shown. Forest growth conditions of industrial soils became closer to the bioecological requirements of wood and bushy species. For industrial soils formed by applying a meliorative layer 15...20 cm the soil penetration resistance falls more intensively.The control check research conducted in 2016 on embryogeny soil of chalk and marly solid showed the increase of penetration resistance in 2 times at the top layer 0... 5 cm, at 10 cm depth - 1.6 times, at 20 cm depth - 1.4 times, at 30 cm depth - 1.3 times. The same pattern is for industrial soils with applying of chalk and marly of meliorative layer of sand, clay loam or humous soil with the yield of 40...50 cm. For industrial soils formed by applying a meliorative layer 5...10 and 15...20 cm the penetration resistance of the top edaphotopic layer was changed considerably over a period of 42 years. The most essential differences were in an industrial soil made by a sand layer 5...10, 15...20 cm, where the penetration resistance of the topsoil raised in 2.5 and 5.6 times.

The work studies the physico-mechanical properties of wood from the stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), formed after pruning of various intensity. It was revealed that the high-intensity pruning in 23-year aged spruce stands (5-6 upper live branch clusters were left) led to a significant increase in the density of wood (by 15.6%) for trees with diameter larger than average in 3 years after. The removal of live and dry branches of lesser intensity does not affect the density of the wood. The wood formed as a result of 60 years of cultivation after pruning has quite high physical and mechanical properties: the compressive strength along the fibers is 51.6 ± 1.02 MPa compared to reference value of 44.5 MPa; and the larger impact toughness (0.68 ± 0.045 kgfm/cm²) than the reference value (0.40). It has been established that wood formed over 60-year cultivation after pruning has resonant properties: the average acoustic constant is 11.4 m⁴/kg × sec., while the optimal value of this indicator for the use of this wood in the music industry is more than 12 m⁴/kg × sec. It has been concluded that pruning combined with rational stand density makes it possible to produce wood with acoustic properties.

The substances of complex action are used to obtain environmentally safe wood boards in the technology of wood-based panels, which are simultaneously acceptors of formaldehyde, antiseptic or resin hardener. Such substances include: sodium pentachlorophenolate, chromium-copper boron compound and silicon fluorine ammonium. We have received copyright certificates for inventions or patents for all these substances. The developed technology of environmentally friendly wood-based panels was tested in industrial conditions with positive results. Plates are obtained meeting the environmental safety of the best classes of formaldehyde emissions and meeting the technical requirements for the plates on the strength properties.

The study of soils with the compilation of a soil map of a broad-leaved forest "Natural plantations of oak" (hereinafter referred to as the NPO) in the Komsomolsky District of the Chuvash Republic (forest-steppe zone of the Volga region) was carried out for the first time. The time of research is summer 2017. The relief is a weakly undulating watershed of the Volga Upland. The woody and shrubby vegetation of the reserve is represented mainly by an oak of different ages, linden, maple, and rarely spruce. Of the factors of soil formation, only the soil-forming rock and the relief change. Of the factors of soil formation, only the soil-forming rock and the relief change. The soil cover of NPO is represented by Glossic, Albic, Dystric Retisol on Jurassic clay eluvium and Glossic, Albic, Dystric Retisol on Jurassic clay eluvium soils, Glossic, Albic, Dystric, Stagnic Retisol on Jurassic clay eluvium, Glossic, Greyzemic, Luvic Phaeozems on Cretaceous clay eluvium, and Glossic, Greyzemic, Stagnic, Luvic Phaeozems on Jurassic clay eluvium. The humus horizons have a low content of humus and plant nutrients.

This article is devoted to the definition of prerequisites for the introduction of a BSC in forestry sector management of the Russia. Today, an unstable economic situation, new ways of forest management help to achieve the goals of preserving the interests of the state, private business and society in the areas of efficient reforestation, development of the forest industry, starting with the problems of land use planning, conservation of forests, ending with the availability of management cost estimates. As a consequence, the principles of the BSC into strategic forest management are discussed in the article. BSC is positioned as a tool for assessing and managing the strategic development of the forest complex, by creating strategic maps for each level of management. The variant of BSC adaptation into the specificity of the current strategy and development of the forestry complex of the Russia until 2030 is considered. Thus, balanced scorecard of strategic forest management contributes to achieving a balance between production, economic, environmental and social aspects, as well as maximizing the effect by combining the efforts of various economic sectors related to forest resources and other forest benefits based on the balance of their interests.

Seed reproduction and bio-ecology of the genus Yucca (Yucca L.) species promising open ground ornamental crops for the South of Russia are of great importance for the Southern Coast of the Crimea (SCC). At homelands Yucca Carnerosana (Yucca carnerosana (Trel.) McKelvey)has an obligate mutualism and is closely tied to a specific pollinator, which is an endemic species of moth Tegeticula yuccaselia C.V. Riley. Under the conditions of introduction due to the lack of moths Yucca species bloom, but do not bear fruit. In the period from 1984 to 2014, works on artificial pollination of flowers Y. Carnerosana were conducted using the method invented in 1989 (RU Patent 1470245). The real productivity of seeds in fruits is 70...80% of the potential one. The average class of seeds' development ranges from 3.57 to 3.63. The embrio-spectra development of seeds is given. Germination, germination energy and seed viability, calculated according to the formulas, are directly dependent on the index of C_ave and reflect the potential possibility of obtaining seed reproduction. Statistics of endogenous variability in seed of Y. Carnerosana obtained by the way of autogamy and mixed geitonogamy are given. The main species of Yucca pests in the parks of the SCC region are identified and the measures to combat them are described.

In construction of railway bed, sleepers of various materials are used: wooden, ferro-concrete, steel and polymer ones. Of all the sleeper types, wooden ones have the greatest distribution, possessing some performance characteristics inherent only in wood. The disadvantages of wooden sleepers are: short service life; using commercial timber of valuable species, the reserves of which are severely depleted. It is possible to meet the demand for wooden sleepers using wood of soft leaf-bearing species. These species are of low cost, but inferior to hardwood in density. It is possible to increase wood density by its modification (compressing). The predicted service life of sleepers from modified wood is higher than that of sleepers from natural wood. Considering its significant reserves and physical-mechanical properties, the most suitable of all soft leaf-bearing species is birch. Reducing the cost price of sleepers from modified wood and increasing the efficiency of their production is possible when compressing several billets simultaneously by height in the compression mold. This research studies the density and compression ratio of wood with uniaxial compression of four billets, regarding their location, the duration of exposing them in the compression mold after pressing, and the initial moisture content of wood.

The main objective of the federal strategy for forestry development is setting industry (what should be done?) and regional (where should it be done?) priorities. We need a scientific approach, which would facilitate strategic decisions incorporating a complete set of criteria and indicators available in a market economy. The industry priority should be based on the industry's capability of innovation-driven growth and manufacturing competitive products for domestic and export markets. In addition to industry priorities, federal strategic planning in the forest sector implies responsibility for location of industries and production facilities across the country.

A prediction estimate of the economic consequences of climate change for forestry in the subjects of the Russian Federation at the end of the 21st century was made. The estimate is based on mass ensemble calculations of climate changes with high spatial resolution. Due to the expected growth in productivity, stock of coniferous and hardwood timber will increase, which may lead to an increase in the economic evaluation of forests. As a result of climate-related fire risk changes in the subjects of Russia, an increase in the total amount of forest fires extinguishing costs by the end of the century is expected. An economic evaluation of possible damage shows that, on average in Russia, the amount of forest fires extinguishing costs can increase with the realization of radiation exposure scenarios RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5, respectively, with an accumulated amount of 211.114 thousand rubles and 248.956 thousand rubles.

Forest managers face two competing paradigms: traditional multiple use sustainable management and ecosystem management. Traditional management maximizes sustainable yield with certain preservation limitations. Maximization of the yield without discounting is called the "forestry" decision and implies maximization of average wood increment. Maximization with discounted cash flow is often referred to as the "economic" decision and is based on the concept of financial maturity employing criteria of I.Fisher, M.Faustman, R.Hartman and their numerous latest modifications. Economic criterion results in harvesting of rather young forests. Preservation or conservation tends to stop forest management of any type and leave forest intact. Traditional forestry employs logging criteria with preservation limitations. Ecosystem management is a new paradigm. It needs new forestry approaches and economic criteria. It imitates forest structures in pursuing simultaneously ecological and economic targets. It employs criteria based on targeted sustainable forest structures, which is different from targeting sustainable forest products yield.

Temperature and precipitation regimes in the East-European forest-steppe have been disrupted in response to the recent climatic changes. Particularly, (1) increased the range of day-night temperatures, especially during the spring – summer period, (2) increased the number and intensity of thaws in January – February, and (3) the timing, range and intensity of annual precipitation were distorted, thus making some periods of the year excessively dry or wet. Synergistically, these disturbances (1) increase environmental stress to fruit plants, and (2) alter conditions for their growth, development and crop bearing. Hence, we argue that current criteria for the selection of plant varieties for cultivation in that region are no longer valid, and the stress-specific adjustment to these criteria is required.

Wood is a natural smart material which possesses shape memory effect (SME). The paper deals with SME behaviour of sound and mycologically destroyed wood and shows the influence of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin content on the wood ability to remember the temporary and to recover the permanent shapes. The research was carried out on sliced veneer samples (beech Fagus sylvatica L. and pine Pinus sylvestris L.) and rotten samples (pocket rot, brown rot) to reveal the influence of on the deformative conversions and quantities of SME. Results of research are shown that at moisture drop the higher values of strain fixity rate for all wood species and types of rot are noted (0.82 – 0.97). The more remarkable difference for sound and rotten wood is observed for strain recovery rate at temperature change. Despite the change of chemical composition for pocket rot the speed of recovery of permanent shape was almost the same as for sound wood. Results of this research can be used for the developing of new biocomposite materials based on wood.

The paper analyses the influence of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) dispersions (0.01...1 g/L) on seed germination capacity, development and biochemical status of wheat seedlings. Also the paper presents the results of the in vitro study of effect produced by CuO NPs (0.001...0.1 g/L) on Alternaria solani fungi. The most pronounced combined positive effect on the studied parameters has been observed at 0.01 g/L concentration of copper oxide nanoparticles. Improvement of germination capacity by 14.5 per cent and a twofold increase in the root and stem length compared to the control group have been recorded at this concentration. At higher NPs content in the dispersion stimulation was combined with toxic effects (decrease of root length). A slight impact of NPs on the activity of antioxidant system enzymes has been registered at concentrations of 0.01 g/L and 1 g/L. CuO NPs at 0.001...0.1 g/L concentrations inhibited Alternaria solani mycelium development and spore germination by 34-50 per cent, but the ionic solution of CuCl₂·6H₂O displayed higher efficacy. The obtained results can be used for development of new micronutrient fertilizers and crop protection agents based on copper nanoparticles.

The article reflects the inventory checking results of the territory of the regional ranked "Uporovsky" nature reserve (Uporovsky district, Tyumen region). The growth of protected species of vascular plants, including Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull, Neottianthe cucullata L. Schlechter, Digitalis grandiflora Mill. was revealed on the area allocated for extension of the right-of-way for 110 kV power transmission lines. A scientifically grounded transfer of individuals of protected plant species was carried out from the sites, allocated for clearing right-of-way of power transmission line, to new habitats similar in ecological conditions located within the nature reserve. The study was carried out at the time of year favorable for transfer, taking into account the ontogeny stage of the transferred plants. Methods and approaches of translocation of vascular plant species have been developed. The preparation of plants transferring (coordinate binding, labeling, etc.), removal of the translocated individuals from the original habitat and their transportation to new safe areas was performed. A system for monitoring the state of translocated plants was developed, and a high level of survival of plants after translocation to new habitats was noted.

Toxic substances influence vitally important processes in plants. Studying plant reactions to environmental pollution is one of important objectives. Among pollutants accumulated in P. major L. and P. media L. plants, a group of heavy metals (As, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sr, Zn) was separated. Each species with its genotypic differences and specific degree of flexibility reacts to environmental exposure differently. Bioindication at tissue and cell levels is based on close process limits of biotic and physiological reactions. Its advantage is high sensitivity to disruptions, which allows identifying small concentrations of pollutants. Bioindication at these specific levels enables early identification of environmental disruptions. The work examined root meristem mitosis of Allium cepa L. The laboratory test recorded the frequency of abnormal and normal mitoses in the cells of onion root meristems (Allium cepa L.) given that the onion was treated with extracts of different concentrations (0.5... 5wt.%) of Plantago major L. and Plantago media L. growing in the anthropogenic areas of Tobolsk city (Tyumen region, Russian Federation).

The method of calculation of specific power consumption of the process of cross sawing of wood with fan feed of chain cutting body proposed in the article is a complement to the theory of cutting. The mathematical model developed on its basis allows predicting reliably the energy efficiency of the chainsaw depending on the natural and industrial conditions of its operation. This makes it possible with the help of a computer program to select the optimal combinations of the gasoline-powered saw, the saw bar and the saw chain significantly reducing the specific energy consumption of the process. As a result of the simulation experiment for the logging company Open Company "LK Kedr" (Moscow region, Sergiev Posad) in July 2017, the following two optimal sets were selected: chainsaw Husqvarna 357 + tire "15" + chain 25 RM and chainsaw Stihl S 260 + tire "15" + 26 RM. This made it possible to reduce the specific energy consumption by 9% and 7% in comparison with the previously used at the enterprise option (chainsaw Husqvarna 357 + tire "16" + chain 40 RM).

The article is devoted to the improvement of the economic organization of the processes of reproduction of forest resources in the conditions of low-forest regions. It was established that the forestry of low-forest regions is subject to significant risks due to the presence of a number of natural and climatic specific features, which creates the need to develop areas for supporting the development of forest business that determine the effective operation of economic entities. A financial mechanism for supporting the forestry business of forest reproduction in low-forest regions has been developed, its architecture has been substantiated, calculations have been made to justify the amount of financial support allocated to forestry business for the reproduction of forests using seedlings of forest species grown with a closed root system. It is established that the proposed mechanism of financial support of forest business in the processes of forest reproduction will not only improve the efficiency of reforestation and preserve the ecological potential of forests, but also improve the conditions for the development of forest business in low-forest regions.

The article presents socioeconomic transformations taking place in the Russian economy that had a direct impact on the economic relations in forestry. Russian forestry is the single branch of the material sector of the economy where market relations are still absent. Long-term budgetary financing of forestry has caused negative consequences. The paper describes an approach to forest management on market principles. Forest leasing system and organization of forest use by tenants of forest areas are considered. As a result practice of forest leasing gives the idea to establish special fund to finance forest reforestation. A model of the economic organization of forestry on non-leased forest lands must be different and based on the public owned forest enterprises. It is proposed that public forest enterprises are to be established as public managers but not owners of forest resources. The long-term practice of forest management by public enterprises in European countries demonstrates its high efficiency, whereas in Russia autonomous and budgetary institutions managing forest are not able to implement in forestry market principles compared to public enterprises. The public forest enterprises have the opportunities to combine capital, labor and forest resources in proper way.

Spruce (Picea abies (L) Karst) is referred to as late-succession species of the Moscow region. However, its large areas have been and continue to be maintained by cultures initially planted to timber harvesting but remained unlogged as all the forests of the Moscow region were referred to as protective ones. During the last years, approximately 20% of spruce forests dead, mainly monodominant cultures with reduced tolerance to pests and extreme weather factors. The forests with the predomination of spruce in the canopy and subcanopy were studied on permanent observation plots in the northeastern part of the Moscow region. Twenty of 25 spruce stands have the diameter structure homogenized by previous treatments. The traditional practice of forming high-density close-canopy stands led to the suppression of spruce second layer and understory and its substitution by linden (Tilia cordata L) and maple (Acer platanoides L). Both natural species composition shift and ecological and recreational functions of forests in the Moscow region demand to reject the outdated practice of creation and artificial sustention of monodominant spruce forests. A complex management strategy should be elaborated for the protective forests of the Moscow Region, turning from passive following of forest decline to active formation of complex polydominant stands.

The basis for the present research is an alternative hypothesis about the existence of significant differences between morphometric parameters of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings of different color-seed races. The experiment was established by planting of one-year old Scots pine container seedlings under Kolesov's sword. Ten rows in a 90-fold repetition were planted on 24^th October 2017 on the site of the left-bank forestry training Voronezh State University of Forestry and Technologies (coordinates of the nodal point: N 51°49'40.3' E 39°21'49.7', altitude 100.8 m asl). Seedlings were produced from the seeds, previously separated based on seed coat color and size, in the nursery by a standard rotation cycle for Scots pine container seedlings. The planted seedlings were measured for height three times during the first growing season after the field planting on a post-fire site. The results show a significant difference in one-year-old container produced Scots pine seedlings height with white seeds producing the highest seedlings after one year growth in the field. Our results indicate the potential use of seed sorting on seed coat color for improvement of both, production of forest reproductive material and reforestation success.

The reduction in the production of most types of forestry enterprises products indicates the presence of crisis manifestations in their activities, which predetermines the need for crisis management. Studying the work of the forest complex enterprises, factors that have a direct impact on the occurrence of crisis manifestations have been identified. The classification of specific factors on the basis of synchronization has been made, which made it possible to determine leading, coincident and lagging factors for determining the boundaries of crisis management: preventive crisis management, crisis management and restorative crisis management. It has been established that the diagnosis of crisis management should be based on basic indicators of crisis manifestations and their metrics. Allocated intervals and boundary values of metrics characterize the state of the enterprise's economy from the standpoint of the development of crisis manifestations. The identified indicators and metrics enable to simplify analytical procedures and to determine the boundaries of crisis manifestations. To ensure the sustainability of forestry enterprises, taking into account the peculiarities of their functioning, managerial influences have been formed within the framework of crisis management. The obtained results open new areas of research.

The patterns of interaction between tillage tools and obstacles in forest soils (stumps, roots, stones) are important for the development of specialized forestry tools. They largely determine the type of a tool, tool geometry and modes of operation. In this study, the process of overcoming obstacles with a tillage tool using the method of multibody dynamics (MBD) was studied. For this purpose, CAD SolidWorks and a software program for engineering calculations SolidWorks Motion in which a virtual test bench was created was used. The forces applied on the standard, experimental and disk cultivator tillage tools were studied in various interactions with an obstacle. Studies have shown that in frontal interaction with an obstacle an experimental tillage tool has power characteristics similar to a disk cultivator, and in lateral interaction they are similar to the standard one. It provides reliable in overcoming obstacles with a small mass. Laboratory studies were conducted in the soil channel to test the simulation results. On the basis of the results of the experimental test the differences of the theoretical and practical values of traction resistance of a cultivator section were established during the overcome of an obstacle. For the experimental tillage tool, the differences in the maximum values at the entrance to the stump are 3.9%, for the disk, 1.7%.

The free choice of the Nature is understood here as formation of forest ecosystems under action of natural mechanisms of biotic autoregulation. The methodology of researches is based on uniform of ecological and genetics analysis of a condition of forest ecosystems and assessment of a role of key adaptive mechanisms in regulation of pathogenic processes in forest ecosystems.The primary factor that causing the long-term changes in forests tree mortality, tree growth and recruitment is interspecific and intraspecific competition. Competition among tree species is most important. Natural selection is a key mechanism of adaptation, the change in the heritable traits characteristic of a population over generations. Survival and reproduction of individual due to differences in phenotype. Variation exists within all populations of organisms. Offspring inherits mutations of parents. Inbreeding influences a condition of populations in forest ecosystems. Sexual reproduction of offspring can lead to a decreased biological fitness of a population. Inbreeding depression is especially dangerous in relative small populations. Ability of forest populations to survive and reproduce is dynamic. Sometimes it leads to epidemics of parasitic organisms. Allelic drift may reduce genetic variation in forest populations by disappear gene variants. The relevant problem is in providing freedom of action of natural mechanisms of biotic regulation in forest ecosystems. This problem is solved through formation of high-heterogeneous mosaic forest plantings.Such plantings are capable to long sustainable development without use of chemical and biological pesticides in the conditions of the changing global and local conditions.The long approbation of innovative forest plantings took place in conditions of the Central Russian forest-steppe.Ecosystem regulation of pathogenesis was successful.

Modern technologies in the field of forest restoration require the creation of an integrated approach for systematizations all the developed methods and theories. The main difficulty in the concept creating may be an insufficient number of formalized models of processes that ensure the vital cycle of woody plants. The paper suggests a physical model of transport of salt solutions in the xylem of tree trunks in early spring. The flow of mineral ions is carried out in the porous wood of the trunk during this period by the principle of a molecular vacuum pump in which the energy for the movement of the salt solution is consumed from the thermopolarization field of the xylem arising by the change in the ambient temperature. The results of measurements of the potential difference along the tree trunk of the families Betula pendula and Populus tremula were used for interpretation the model. Measurements of the potential difference along the tree trunk were made under natural conditions and the ambient temperature was measured. Analysis of the results showed that the thermopolarization phenomena in the xylem of the trunks can be the basis of the mechanism of sap movement in early spring. Therefore the hydraulic ratios known for ion pumps can be used for the formalized simulation of the process under investigation.

In the article an attempt to describe a stage of power interaction of knives is made at mill fibrous semi-finished products by means of the theory of discrete contact of knives sets. Time of a relaxation of fibrous semi-finished products is investigated. This time makes from 4-10^-4 seconds for semi-finished products of low concentration up to tens seconds for wood. Pressure in a zone of contact of knives of a rotor and stator is theoretically investigated. Dependences of size of pressure on relative introduction of knives in a fibrous material and displacement of a rotor are received. Theoretical researches are confirmed experimentally. Deborah's number ξ for a ground fibrous material is investigated. Dependences of this number from knife backlash and speed of sliding of knives are received. It is investigated deformation by a component of factor of friction between sets. For reduction of a deformation component of factor of friction between sets (i.e. reductions of power consumption) at mill chips wood and weights of high concentration it is necessary to increase frequency of rotation of a rotor, and at mill weights of low concentration, on the contrary, to reduce it.

Extensive use of conifers is highly advisable for urban landscaping, since they are ever-green, low exploited and long-living compared to their deciduous counterparts. The paper presents the effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the germination rate of Thuja occidentalis (2014), Picea fennica (2016) and Pinus sylvestris (2016) seeds exposed to environmentally friendly UV light-emitting diodes (LEDs). We used two sources of UV: the first one consisted of 54 LEDs with power of 2 W, the second one – 81 LEDs of 3 W. UV radiation was mostly within the A range (> 90%) and had a length of 315 nm. It was found out that UV radiation improved the germination rate of Picea fennica seeds from Quality Class 2 to Quality Class 1, i.e. from 75% to 86%, thus reducing the planting rates and, subsequently, the planting costs. After being exposed to the UV dosage of 2 kJ/m², Thuja occidentalis seeds had 12.8% better germination rate than the control sample, resulting in faster growth and earlier full-grown shoots. UV-A radiation did not have identifiable positive effects on the pine seeds.

The average values and variability amplitude of morphological characters and reproductive traits of cones have been determined under the introduction of Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco trees of different reproduction types. It is shown that the average indicators of the most signs correspond to the control in urban conditions. The level of signs variability is close to control ones, or increased in trees of female and mixed types. The possibility of phenotypic selection of trees of different reproduction types according to their stability in the urban environment is considered, as follows from the variability level of generative sphere parameters.

The study is intended for international readers or those unable to read Russian. Information search was carried out in Russian-language databases (Russian libraries and ELibrary.ru) and English-language databases. . Currently, there are a large number of sites in the Russian forests that need to be restored. For many of them, reforestation by ground-based seeding or planting is inefficient or not available. Sowing forest from the air in Russia has more than half a century of history. The results of retrospective analysis show that the choice of the reforestation method depends on the site characteristics and the level of negative environmental impact. Generally, the cost of aerial seeding on such sites with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is lower compared to the use of manned aerial vehicles (MAV). This study will aid in the planning of new forestry experiments to study reforestation with the assistance of natural reforestation in Russia. The study will enable correct plant propagation protocols for sustainable forest management. However, many questions remained unresolved: what types of UAV and sowing apparatus to use; how to position the UAV under a forest canopy?

This paper provides an overview and analysis of existing tools and machinery for fighting ground forest fires. The paper examines theoretical issues of applying soil-thrower machine to extinguish forest fires. In the paper, the information database on the usage of existing technology in modern conditions is studied in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the usage of new technology. The design of the presented machine makes it a universal one, replacing two technological units and thereby reducing the material consumption of technological process of extinguishing fire with soil and laying firebreaks; it increases the amount of ground to extinguish the fire, increasing efficiency in the fight against fire, as well as the traveling speed of the unit and its performance.

This article describes an algorithm for finding the optimal routes and volumes of cargo transportation along the routes at minimal transportation cost of a given cargo' volume from the starting to the final point . The algorithm, based on Dijkstra's approach (shortest path search) and dynamic programming method, is used for the calculation of the optimal route of wood transportation from the cutting area. The peculiarity of forest roads are different transport costs and carrying capacities on the forest road network sections influenced by the natural and climatic conditions of the route section. The cost of delivery includes both costs, depending on the volume of cargo (transportation), and not depending on it (construction and restoration of roads). The peculiarity of the task is that the costs of restoration (construction), transportation along the section included in the route may vary depending on the transported cargo volume.

Results of 100 years' tests of posterities of 16 climatip of a pine in the geographical forest cultures put in 1913 in Okhtensky forestry under the leadership of professor of Imperial Lesnoy of institute Vasili Ogiyevski are presented. Now the average safety of forest cultures is 6.5%. The lowest safety (3%) has noted posterity from the Perm province; the best safety (9-11%), along with Olonets (considered as local), posterities from the central regions of the country – the Oryol and Moscow provinces have. The most successful growth characterizes the southern and southwest posterities. Volynsk and Lublin (on average height – 30.4-30.5 m) and Lomza (on average diameter – 36.5 cm) are distinguished from them. The Olonets posterity, despite less successful growth in comparison with the southern and southwest races, doesn't concede to them on a reserve of stem wood (510 m³ ha against 275-507 m³ ha). It is established that the geographical origin of seeds is of great importance in the creation of forest cultures. Depending on remoteness of places of preparations of seeds in the direction from the North on the South parameters of growth of the created cultures are higher, but the safety of cultures gradually decreases. The preservation and growth of forest cultures are worse as far as the removal of the seeds from the area of it testing to the East.

Skidding trail sites are reinforced with slash to keep them from rutting by numerous skidding vehicles passes. As the number of passes is not uniform on the site, it is possible to reduce slash usage as the material for reinforcement. The amount of slash should be enough to keep safety characteristics of the slash covering for the definite number of passes. The investigation results of the skidding vehicle passes influence on rutting along the skidding trail (the length of skidding trail 150 m) are presented. Model of vehicle is a crawler skidding vehicle TDT-55A with a cable-winch. Six sites with various numbers of passes were studied. There were sites with 10; 12; 22; 24; 34; 36 passes. The amount of slash to be laid on the sites was determined: slash density should be – 18 kg/m² for 10 passes of the site; 22 kg/m² for 12 passes; 35 kg/m² for 22 passes; 37 kg/m² for 24 passes; 45 kg/m² for 34 passes; 46 kg/m² for 36 passes. For all sites with slash reinforcement the depth of the rut was not more than 220 mm after any number of passes compared with the sites without slash reinforcement with rut depth of 300 mm after just 6 passes. To reinforce a skidding trail, 27 % of the total slash amount are enough compared with 90 % commonly used in the similar conditions.

Tree biometrics was measured: stem diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height, as well as crown diameter and length on 15 plots of Siberian spruce urban plantations were in Yekaterinburg-city. The diameter (DBH) distribution of trees was determined based on the statistics and their errors. Variation in stem and crown parameters of the trees and height to diameter ratio was found to be lower in urban plantations than in natural forest stands. DBH variation coefficient is decreased with tree spacing increase. There is a strong relationship between maximum H:D ratio values and tree spacing. It is established that the most favourable conditions in Siberian spruce urban plantations are created if tree spacing is more than 3 m. The relationships between tree parameters in urban plantations where inter-tree competition is lower than in natural forest stands were determined to be linear ones. The accuracy of equations to evaluate tree parameters increases if a second determining factor is included: if tree spacing is included in the tree height and the crown diameter equations, and if tree height is included in the crown volume equation. The study results show that urban plantations can be considered as a unique subject of forest taxation.

The paper deals with the current state, productivity and durability of oak tree (Quercusrobur L.) stand in the Northern Ergeny (Kalmykia, Russia). The best forest-growing conditions are formed on light alluvial-deluvial soils of river terraces during the first years of plant life as well as in large depressions of placers with dark-colored soils and the horizon below onemeter. Large deep gulches of Ergeny partially overgrown with natural tree and shrub vegetation play the most important role for massive (continuous) afforestation in the territory of Kalmykia. When cultivating forest stands under these conditions, the most productive and durable breed is the pedunculate oak. Seed generation of oak can develop according to I-III class of forest appraisal index (the forest density stored up to this age is 160-190 m³ ha^-1) and survive to 80-100 years and in the case of timely cutting – to form a stable coppice stand. Effective methods of cultivation of viable plantings on placers are: formation of a long-term reserve of soil moisture, creation of pure plantations of medium density from relatively shade-tolerant tree species and large shrubs frequent removal of dead wood and unpromising trees, formation of a shadowy underbrush or undergrowth in rapidly dilapidated stands.

The peculiarities of carbon deposition in stands of oak quiver (Quercus robur L.), as well as in communities of shrub and tree life forms (Salix cinerea L., S. triandra L., S. viminalis L., S. purpurea L., S. fragilis L., S. alba L.). In the oak groves, the largest deposition of carbon is recorded in the fresh pine forest of Shipov, a forest of a late-blossoming species of oak tree, of natural origin at the age of 181 - 386.3 tons·ha^-1. In forest oak cultures, the total mass of carbon concentrated in the tree stage has increased from 15.28 to 121.70 tons·ha^-1 over the period from 19 to 76 years. High biological productivity of willow communities promotes effective performance of carbon-depositing function. The maximum amount of deposited carbon (31.7 tons·ha^-1 for a 5-year life span) is noted in the communities of S. viminalis of sprouts originating in the shrub biomorph. Of all the studied biological species, the maximum phytomass increment is greatest, and accordingly the largest amount of carbon in the growth (5.62 tons·ha^-1 year^-1) occurs in S. viminalis when it grows in shrubby form.

The research isfocused on specific features of small entrepreneurship in forestry sector and development of specific organizational and economic tools in of the forestry sector. The authors have analysed the work of small and medium-sized businesses of Russian Federation in the forestry sector and have made a conclusion that there are negative tendencies in the development of entrepreneurship in this area. Thanks to the ranking method and expert assessments, the causes of the intensification of the negative trends have been identified. Taking into consideration the analytical sectoral indicators and the principles of institutional sectoral regulation, the authors have developed an organizational model of interaction between the state and small entrepreneurship in forestry sector. Basing on the organizational and economic characteristics of the forestry sector, the researchers have also developed a tool for preventing the negative trends in the development of small entrepreneurship in this sphere.

The features of the development of tissues of the assimilation apparatus and the conducting roots of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), larch (Larix sukaczewii Dyl.), birch (Betula pendula Roth) and poplar (Populus balsamifera L.), growing in extreme forest conditions, are investigated. Adaptive species-specific changes in the anatomical and morphological organization of woody plants were revealed. The average values of growth of wood, bark, integumentary tissues and mesophyll were established. It is established that wood increments change depending on extreme forest growing conditions.

It is noted that for the Russian Federation the forest is of great importance in the development of the economy. The causes of forest fires that cause great damage to nature and society are considered. It is indicated that the annual economic damage from forest fires can amount to billions of rubles. A brief description of forest fires possible types is given with an indication of the causes of their occurrence and the conditions of the course. The existing methods of extinguishing natural deflagrations are analyzed, which, according to the nature of the effect on the combustion process, are divided into active and passive. The design of the fire-fighting soil-thrower machine is presented to extinguish forest fires with soil. The authors carried out experimental studies of the functioning of the developed aggregate. With the purpose of analyzing the effectiveness of the introduction and further application of the presented machine, the calculation of the economic efficiency of its operation was performed. The obtained results show that the specific current costs when using the gun are reduced by 15% compared to the serial available analog.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles have a high potential as novel antimicrobial products. In this study ZnO nanoparticles of various sizes: 20-100 nm (ZnO-1) and 50-300 nm (ZnO-2) have been examined. This paper presents the results of an integrated study of the influence of physicochemical properties such as particle size and concentration of the freshly prepared and 24-hour suspensions of ZnO nanoparticles (0. 001...1000 mg/L) in distilled water and in normal saline upon their toxicity against bacteria E. coli. Ionic solutions of ZnCl₂ were used for comparison study. Fresh aqueous solutions of nanoparticles displayed the highest antibacterial effect (E. coli survival under 5 − 25%). Storage for 24 hours reduced the toxicity of all the samples. In normal saline solutions the toxicity of the studied nanoparticles decreased at concentrations below 10 g/L. In all cases ZnO-2 suspensions displayed lower toxicity levels, especially after ageing for 24 hours. Stability analysis showed that the highest antibacterial effect was produced by less stable solutions containing the largest aggregates. Thus, it has been shown that antibacterial effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles are affected by the size of particles and their aggregates in colloidal solutions, chemical composition of the media and the suspensions storage time. The obtained results can be used for creating new types of antibacterial products including phytoprotectors based on nano-sized zinc oxide particles as well as for development of methods to assess and predict toxicity of zinc-containing suspensions.

Scientific issue considered in the given article is in modernization of forest complex development assessment in regard with up to date mechanisms of digital economy. The assessment is spreading by means of modern achievements of informational technologies that create a platform for new condition formation of their functioning, for forecasting methodology working out and forest development complex strategy for taking correct management decision. To reach the stable development of digital space of forest complex we need to apply the newest mechanisms of digital economy basing on cartographical optimization of informational and analytical tools. The basic item of the research is construction of forecasting methodology of forest complex development in the period of digital economy formation in Russia that will improve its further development alongside with the effective usage of scientific and technological potential. The research of the existing system of forest complex and its basic data indicators with new data introduction devoted to the standardization of implementation of mechanisms of digital economy in the conditions of multiple-valued initial data are given in the article. Modernization of the traditional producing branches is needed by means of forestry-ecological and economical platform management as well as allied financial and logistic operations. The structure of consumption and strategy of forest complex development should be changed in the period of digital economy formation through penetration of informational technologies into industrial spheres of Russia.

The study is intended for engineers and small-scale forestry farmers because it offers a simple solution for forest seeds quality improvement by selection before sowing (especially aerial sowing). For coniferous trees seeds VIS spectroscopy is a very important tool that determines the energy of radiation, indicating viability and origin. However, despite many suggestions of potential for practical use, there are no specific recommendations given. Visible diffuse reflectance spectra of single seeds were scanned with spectrometer USB 4000 (Ocean Optics Inc., USA) from 450 to 1000 nm at 1 nm intervals. It is found that in the range from 660 to 715 nm the spectral allocate of seed coat color classes has three non-intersecting characteristic groups differing in the magnitude of the diffuse reflection and forming a possible grading zone. The results of this study are limited to this specific sample and cannot be interpreted for seeds of all coniferous species. There is a need for design of a device for rapid analysis of seeds by spectrometric parameters, which will have a practical application and which will allow a comprehensive sequential studies following the "spectrogram - germination - growth in the nursery-growth in the field" path.

In this paper, we present the results of studies on the relationship between the stand composition, the distribution row by the diameter classes of the stand and the wood density. Objects of study were coniferous forest stands with different participation of pine and spruce passed by thinning. Wood cores sampling was carried out on this stands and basic density of wood according to trees diameter classes determinate by maximum moisture method. The influence of the distribution curve of the trunks by the diameter classes on the wood density of pine and spruce is presented. Different trees quantitative representation of these species reflects on wood density and varies with the share of main species participation in the stand.

In this paper, we consider the influence of tree distribution rows by the diameter classes on the wood density of pine and spruce in coniferous stands not covered by felling. Dependences of the wood density in pure and mixed coniferous stands were studied with changes in the composition of the stand and the quantitative representation of pine and spruce trees by diameter classes. On the basis of the obtained quantitative material, the relationship between the density of wood and trunks thicknesses was modeled according to the diameter classes of pine and spruce trees. The developed regression equations make it possible to predict the density changes of pine and spruce wood in stands with different shares of their participation.

The ambiguity of existing methods encouraged researchers to search for more adequate approaches for the determination of soil erodibility. In the paper, based on the energy approach to soil erosion analysis, we have proposed a physically justified characteristic of soil erodibility as the potential of erosion resistance equal to the energy spent on the destruction and removal of a unit of soil mass in the places of its natural occurrence. The device and method of measuring the potential of erosion resistance in the field were described. The exponential character of the dependence of the erosion resistance potential on the volume moisture for light-gray and dark-gray forest soils of central region of Russia was experimentally revealed. It was shown that as the soil was moistened, the value of erosion resistance potential tended to a certain limit. Modelling of erosion processes on the basis of the proposed erosion resistance potential can allow describing erosion properties depending on the initial soil moisture and evaluating them at any time during the growing season.

This paper presents an analysis of forty-five-year dynamics of the main characteristics of white (Populus alba L.), gray (Populus canescens Sm.), black poplar (Populus nigra L.) and willow (Salix alba L.) stands on the territory of the Khoper State Natural Reserve on the basis of the materials of permanent test plots restored and newly established by A I Sivolapov in 1972 for the purpose of selection of the most productive and stable clone micropopulations of these species. The annual changes taking place in the sample plots, and considerable statistical material, make it possible to carry out quantitative and qualitative analysis of the behavior of the existing associations of white, gray, black poplar and willow with great certainty. Selected highly productive genotypes have been uterine trees to create varieties and are recommended for plantation cultivation.

In manufacturing environments, the assessment of the state of plantations is carried out mainly by diagnosing trees according to external pathology characteristics. Pathological characteristics which are used in the accepted tree classifications do not satisfy modern requirements, both because of their weak differentiation, and because of their lack of objective explanation. Based on this, a ranking scale of pathological features has been developed depending on their development and fatality for the tree. The category of condition is defined according to the current Forests Code of the Russian Federation for each gradation of the pathological characteristic. As an example, a list of the most significant pathological characteristics for Quercus robur is given, with their gradation in terms of development degree and linkage to the status categories.This list does not include external characteristics that determine the 5 and 6 categories (fresh and old deadwood) because they are more unambiguous, well-descriptive ones and sufficiently described in the current rules.At the same time, a list of pathological characteristics is substantiated and significantly expanded. The presence of these characteristics does not indicate physiological weakening of a tree and, accordingly, can not be the basis for reducing the category of its condition.

It was investigated that the majority of the deciduous trees and bushes applied in gardening of the city territories are in a varying degree stuck by mildew fungi. The infected plants are weakened; lose decorative properties and ability to form an environment. Most often pathogens infect plants of Berberidaceae, Betulaceae, Fagaceae, Hippocastanaceae, Oleaceae, Rosaceae, Salicaceae, Sapindaceae, Ulmaceae families. The species relating of Adoxaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae and Pinaceae families show resistance to this pathology. Causative agents of mildew choose leaves of plants as a nutritious substratum; however, the disease has been noted on sprouts and buds of roses. Native species of trees and bushes are struck by mildew more often than introduced species. Moreover, it is noted the high extent of distribution of the disease on local plants, especially on an oak and a maple. The most struck exotic plants are barberries. The major ecological factors promoting distribution of powdery mildew fungi are insufficient aeration of plantings and low level of insolation. The major preventive action is using of steady species of plants. The immunity of plants to this pathology can be increased by competent use of fertilizers - restriction of nitrogen and timely application of phosphorus and potassium.

The article presents the results of the study of regional problems of the concept of "green" development. The analyzed statistical indicators allowed drawing a conclusion about the reduction of environmental costs in the regions of Russia and the share of organizations that implement innovations in order to improve environmental safety. It is revealed that insufficiently effective environmental protection investment policy at the regional level negatively affects the expansion of environmental innovation.

The article presents the economic aspects of growing poplar on plantations in Russia and Serbia. For Russia, the cultivation of poplar on forest plantations with a short turnaround is a promising activity which enables to get NPV 7 202 €/ha, taking into account the risks of forest plantations. In the creation of plantation crops the fundamental role is played by their density. To get timber the density of plantation should be from 3.0 to 5.0 thousand plants per 1 ha. Plantations with a 20-year rotation and planting density of 3.0 thousand plants per 1 ha are the most profitable and less risky ones. Similar results have been obtained on poplar plantations in Serbia. NPV revenues are in a range 11 088 to 13 676 €/ha when growing poplar plantations in Serbia. It is advisable to get not only industrial wood chips, but also wood assortment during the cultivation of poplar plantations with 20-year rotation in the conditions of Serbia. Positive financial effect can be reached in future by lowering the costs of poplar plantations establishing. Costs can be also reduced by finding out the solution in the field of soil preparation for afforestation, working operations which will show the higher level of economic efficient.