Lavnyy V. Silvicultural and ecological principles of primary stands regeneration оn windthrow areas of the Ukrainian Carpathians

Object of the research - windthrow areas in forests of the Ukrainian Carpathians. The aim of the study was analysis of frequency and intensity of strong winds in the Ukrainian Carpathians, expression of windthrows and wind breakage of forest stands in this region, study of the processes of natural regeneration of tree species in windthrow areas of different age in dominated forest types of forests and development of conceptual basis and recommendations on the formation of wind-resistant, high-productive, native stands of the Ukrainian Carpathians, based on close-to-nature silviculture. Research methods - forest mensuration, reconnaissance, laboratory analysis, comparative ecology as well as statistical methods were used. The main theoretical principles of the research, determining the scientific novelty are as follows: based on many-years of comprehensive research were first analyzed the direction, duration, frequency of occurrence, the intensity of strong winds in various regions of the Ukrainian Carpathians and their distribution by calendar month and the amount of rainfall during storms. Species composition, the number and height-age structure of self-sown trees and undergrowth on windthrow areas have been investigated. It was found that in most cases there are sufficient windthrow areas for the formation of natural regeneration of forest stands of indigenous tree species, and only in some areas an insufficient number is formed of self-seeding and undergrowth, which makes it necessary to create partial or continuous plantations of main tree species. The vitality of undergrowth on the windthrow areas and under the canopy of adjacent stands is almost identical. The significant differences between the physical and chemical indicators of soil on the windfall sites and under the canopy of adjacent stands is not avalable, which allows to form indigenous types of stands on these sites, that are similar in composition and productivity to the native ones. Practical significance. Practical recommendations are already being used in the Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Transcarpathian departments of forestry and hunting for reproduction and formation of indigenous, highly productive and wind-resistant stands on windthrow areas of the Ukrainian Carpathians. The research materials on the topic of the dissertation are also used in the educational process at higher educational institutions in teaching subjects as "Forest Science", "Silviculture" and "Recreational forestry." Area of application - Forest Science and Silviculture.