Rak A. Protective role and resistance of forests of Gorgany

The object of the study is the spruce and mixed forests of Gorgany. The study subject is the water regulation and soil protection role of forests, their resistance to wind activity and drying processes. Research methods are forest-taxation, soil-hydrological and statistics. Scientific novelty lies within the fact that it has been found that forests, compared to field lands, have the potential to increase the total evaporation of moisture per year by 280 mm (23% of rainfall), to reduce by 20% the maximum flood runoff and to double their duration; the soil protection role of the forest on the catchments and along the river banks is estimated, which reduces erosion processes by 1.5-4.3 times compared to the lands without forests; the areas and volumes of continuous and partial winds are characterized, as well as the drying of the forest depending on orographic and meteorological factors and forest-taxation indices of the plantations; the altitude-belt changes of the species composition of forests, forest cover of the catchment areas and water-balance components are highlighted. Practical significance of the research is in the fact that the results are the basis for preventing the development of harmful natural phenomena and increasing the sustainability of forests. In regional dimension, a system of basin planning for nature conservation measures is also proposed. The system of measures for the prevention of harmful natural phenomena in mountain and forest conditions has been improved. Sphere of use is forestry.