Forest regeneration in black alder forests in Belarus

Abstract

In the forest fund Belarus alder forests occupy 694.5 thousand hectares, which is 8.6% of the forested area. Among black alder forests we can distinguish primary and secondary ones. Primary black alder stands grow in hydromorphic peat-bog soils and secondary ones – in sod-podzolic automorphic and semi-hydromorphic soils where other species can grow (pine, spruce, oak). Cutting areas of primary black alder forests must be left for natural regeneration. Clear cutting sites of secondary black alder forest plantations are advisable to create pine plantations being the most productive ones. Depending on site conditions, annual economic impact of this operation ranges from 1.4 to 2.6 million rubles/hectare, and forest productivity increases by 6–7 times. Establishment of forest plantations of black alder is not recommended, since annual loss of forest amounts to about 3 million rubles/hectare.