Shevchuk O. Silvicultural and Mensurtional Assessment of Energy Potential of Forests of Kyiv Polissia and its Sustainable Use

The thesis is devoted to the research of energy productivity and energy potential of the forests of Kyiv Polissia, which will allow to evaluate complex processes of energy accumulation in the forest ecosystems of the region and to develop information tools to ensure the use of their ecological and energy potential on the basis of economic sustainability and environmental balance. The analysis of silvicultural and biometric structure of stands composed of the dominant tree species of Kyiv Polissia and of Boyarka Forest Research Station of National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine as a pilot object. Temporary sample plots have been established to evaluate the components of biotic productivity and energy potential of stands of the main forest-forming tree species. The statistical analysis of indicators of live biomass components and energy potential of stands has been carried out. It has been found that the mensurational basis for assessing the energy potential of forests’ wood biomass is their species and age structure. The parameters of the mean specific energy content have been investigated for different tree species and live biomass components indicating their major differentiation. The total amount of energy accumulated in the vegetal biomass of forests in Kyiv Polissia has been assessed. The differences in energy density trends and their changes for live biomass and dead organic matter of the region's forests have been established. Five types of energy potential of stands have been assessed (theoretically possible, technically accessible, environmentally safe, economically profitable and socially conditioned) by their constituents (stem firewood, primary forest residues and secondary forest residues). To assess and make informed decisions regarding the sustainable use of wood biomass for energy purposes within the Separated subdivision of National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine «Boyarka Forestry Research Station», the «Forest Inventory Engineer» software has been approbated.