SANITARY CONDITION OF THE OAK FOREST STANDS IN TSUMANSKA PUSHCHA KIVERTSI NATIONAL NATURE PARK

Abstract

The current sanitary condition of English oak (Quercus robur L.) in Tsumanska Pushcha Kivertsi National Nature Park (NNP) was investigated and the root causes of their weakening, loss of biotic stability and productivity were identified. It has been found that modern environmental challenges, such as global climate change, anthropogenic pressure, pest attacks, and the epiphytic spread of infectious diseases, are predictors of forest vulnerability, which leads to disruption of forest conservation and restoration strategies. The average values of the sanitary condition index for 2022 were calculated and analyzed on the basis of a detailed forest pathology survey of 14 sample areas, and the species composition of infectious pathologies in the stands of the NNP was also identified. While examining the forest stands, the category status of all trees in the sample plots, loss of assimilation system and disease manifestation were assessed. It was established that the general sanitary condition of the forest with the participation of oak in the conditions of the NNP should currently be considered as weakened. The presence of trees of V and VI condition categories, foci of bacteriosis, mycotic diseases, and stem pasts were recorded. From 4 to 14% of oak trees are affected by disease pathogens. The most common diseases are Armillaria mellea, Phellinum igniarius and Fistulina hepatica drying of oak branches and shoots, which affect up to 14% of tree trunks. It is necessary to continue to monitor the sanitary condition of the oak NPP in order to design more precise control measures for the future. It was noted that concidering the sanitary condition becomes a key factor during the development of scientific and practical solutions to ensure the stability and preservation of indigenous natural forests of Tsumanska Pushcha Kivertsi National Nature Park.