Bilous A. Biological productivity and ecosystem functions of softwood deciduous forests in the Ukrainian Polissya

This thesis elaborates theoretical and methodological backgrounds, methodology approaches for the study of biological productivity of softwood deciduous forests and indigenous willows, and a system of reference tools and information to assess biophysical indicators of ecosystem functions of Betula pendula Roth, Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn., and Populus tremula L. forests. The analysis of forestry and measurement features of softwood deciduous forests of Ukrainian Polissya was performed. Growth and development peculiarities of mixed modal stands of birch, alder and aspen have been quantified. Models of the dynamics of forest stands were elaborated. Dynamics of bioproductivity of birch, alder and aspen forests by stand biomass components, understorey and green forest floor was modeled. Analysis of the dynamics of softwood deciduous forests biomass structure was performed. Natural and basic wood and bark density of willows shoots and roots was quantified; besides, models of the total live biomass of shrubs in Ukrainian Polissya. A set of regulatory-reference materials aimed to determine growth and development features of modal softwood deciduous forests, dynamics of live biomass and mortmass components of birch, alder and aspen stands, and to evaluate the dynamics of the carbon deposition, net primary production, oxygen and energy productivity, energy capacity and content of radionuclides 137Cs and 90Sr in forest biomass components has been elaborated for the purpose of applied system analysis of forest ecosystem functions and their practical use in forestry implementation.