FORMATION AND SANITARY FELLING AS INDICATORS OF THE POSTACCIDENT CONDITION OF FORESTS IN OZHYDIV FORESTRY

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study assessing the postaccident condition of forest ecosystems within the Ozhydiv Forestry enterprise. The industrial accident that occurred near the village of Ozhydiv led to significant environmental contamination, causing acute damage to forest stands, weakening their natural resilience, and accelerating the spread of pests, pathogens, and physiological decline, including widespread tree dieback. In order to evaluate the post-accident dynamics of forest health and resilience following phosphate contamination, the authors conducted a retrospective analysis of silvicultural interventions – specifically formation and sanitary fellings. The analysis covered the period from 2010 to 2021 and was based on official forest operations records (felling registers) maintained by Ozhydiv Forestry. The article presents the data on the area and volume of selective sanitary fellings within the forest stands of Ozhydiv Forestry over the studied period. The study observed decreasing trend in the area subjected to selective sanitary felling, alongside a consistent increase in harvested volume per hectare, indicating progressive deterioration in the phytosanitary condition of the stands. Simultaneously, the intensity of removals and the total volume of damaged timber extracted continue to rise, underscoring the worsening health status of the forest. The study also analyses the proportion of merchantable timber within the total felled volume from both selective and clear sanitary fellings. A notable decline in the share of commercial-grade timber was identified, which serves as an additional indicator of declining stand quality and structural stability. Furthermore, the intensity and volume of formation and rehabilitation fellings have demonstrated a steady upward trend in recent years, suggesting a sustained decrease in the vitality and biological stability of forest stands managed by Ozhydiv Forestry.