Yelisavenko Y. Optimization of the structure of forest landscapes to improve the ecological network of Eastern Podillya

The dissertation is devoted to the substantiation of the need to create forest reserves in order to implement the ecological network of Eastern Podillya by optimizing the structure of forest landscapes in its functional and spatial scheme to implement the goals of balanced development of the region. An inventory of the most valuable forest landscapes with the prospect of their further bequest. The assessment of the condition is determined and the criteria for the inclusion of genetic reserves, plus plantations and especially valuable for the preservation of forest landscapes in the structural elements of the REN are developed. Based on the analysis of the ecological condition of the selected 15 genetic reserves, it was found that the structure of the NRF can include an additional 14 reserves with a total area of 1117.4 hectares while creating additional forest reserves of national and local importance. Plus plantings on a total area of 530 hectares should be included in the structure of the NRF in the categories of “protected tracts” and “botanical monuments of nature”. On the basis of the conducted researches we have selected especially valuable forest areas which it is expedient to bequeath. They have a total area of 16,160.3 hectares, of which 9061.4 hectares fall into the category of reserves of national importance and 7098.9 hectares of local importance with the prospect of their further inclusion in the structural elements of the REN. The creation of a forest watershed eco-corridor (196 km long, 1-4 km wide, with an area of 80,144 ha) in the REN structure is substantiated. Proposals for improving and optimizing the structure of forest landscapes for improving the REN of Eastern Podillya as a component of the ecological network of Ukraine are presented. A number of scientific-methodical and practical approaches and design solutions for optimizing the functional-spatial structure of REN of Eastern Podillya for realization of the purposes of its balanced development are offered.