Matushevych L. Primary production of forests of main tree species of Eastern Polissya of Ukraine (methodology, information support, dynamics)

A dissertation illustrates an investigation of theoretical and applied aspects of assessing the primary production of trees and stands, their dynamics, to develop information support materials of assessing the primary production of aboveground live biomass, estimation of leaf area index for the forest stands of Scots pine, silver birch, and European oak in Eastern Polissya of Ukraine. Based on the principles of system approach, here new methods were developed to assess the primary production of stem and crown live biomass compartments considering the trees and forest stands. An algorithm of primary production estimation was proposed, alongside with assessing the production of crown branches and leaf area index of stands. A system of mathematical models was developed to estimate primary production of live aboveground biomass estimation of trees and stands of studied tree species. Information support tables were developed to estimate primary production of stemwood, bark of stems and branches, as well as for leaves (needles) and tree crowns in Scots pine, silver birch, and European oak stands. Information support materials were developed to assess the composition of aboveground live biomass, its density and sequestered carbon for coniferous, broadleaved and soft-leaved forests within Eastern Polissya of Ukraine. Aboveground live biomass primary production, carbon stock and oxygen productivity of study region were estimated. Additionally, leaf area index was examined for Scots pine, silver birch and European oak stands. Broadleaved tree species can reach 2.57 t·ha-1·yr-1 of primary productivity within the study region. In Sumy region, soft-leaved forests can accumulate 3.65 t·ha-1·yr-1 of primary production, while in Chernihiv region only 1.79 t·ha-1 ·yr-1. Primary production of coniferous forests is larger by 0.05 t·ha-1 ·yr-1 in Sumy region (1.32 t·ha-1 ·yr-1). Coniferous forests within Eastern Polissya of Ukraine can sequester 0.63 t·ha-1·yr-1 of carbon, while broadleaved stands 1.28 t·ha-1·yr-1 and soft-leaved 0.62 t·ha-1·yr-1 of carbon. Oxygen productivity of coniferous stands is 1.78t·ha1 ·yr-1, while for the broadleaved and soft-leaved forests these values are estimated as 3.6 and 1.69 t·ha-1·yr-1, respectively. Mean carbon density for the forest stands of Eastern Polissya of Ukraine was estimated as 9.9 kg·m-2 and exceeds the mean carbon density assessed for entire Ukraine (6.5 kg·m-2). The leaf area index values for the stands of Eastern Polissya of Ukraine were estimated as 0.82 m2·m-2 for Scots pine (ranges from 0.08 to 2.84 m2 ·m-2), while 1.34 m2 ·m-2 for silver birch (ranges from 0.03 to 2.57 m2·m-2), 4.3 m2·m-2 for European oak (ranges from 0.37 to 8.84 m2·m-2). Obtained research results outline the potential of biotic resources of forest stands of studied tree species with a specific focus on their ecosystem functions within the region of Eastern Polissya of Ukraine.