Melnik Y. Ground fires in the forests of the forest-steppe part of Kharkiv Region and their effects on middle-aged pine stands

Object – middle-aged pine stands damaged by ground fires of different intensity; aim – the goal is to determine the characteristics of fires in the forests of the forest-steppe part of Kharkov region and the impact on the growth and condition of pine plantations; methods: We applied standard in forestry, mensuration, geobotany and soil science methods, as well as the comparative ecology methods. The data obtained were processed by methods of mathematical-statistical analysis using applied computer programs; novelty – for the first time, a local fire hazard scale was developed according to weather conditions taking into account the season of the year, features of changes in living soil cover and drying of middle-aged pine plantations in the after-fire six-year period were revealed, with separate consideration for a drying group character, which does not depend on the season of the year and fire characteristics; results – a local scale for determining the class of fire hazard according to weather conditions in different seasons during the fire hazard period has been developed. It is advisable to take into account the revealed consequences of fires and the trends of forest transformation in the forest-steppe part of the Kharkiv region when prescribing sanitary-improving measures and measures for the preservation and restoration of pine plantations damaged by fire; scope of application – forestry.