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Growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands on soils with close bedding of crystalline parent rocks in Central Polissya, Ukraine

Growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands on soils with close bedding of crystalline... The wide ecological range of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) demonstrates its ability to adapt to different environments. This study aimed to assess the dynamics of growth and productivity of Scots pine stands growing on soils with crystal- line parent rock outcrops. The study area is located in the north of Ukraine in the Central Polissya within 50°15’ and 50°06’ north latitudes and 29°22’ and 29°86’ east longitudes. The base of the geological structure is granite. The depth of the parent rock bedding ranges from 15 to 86 cm. In total, 18 research plots were laid out on soils with crystalline rock outcrops and 18 research plots on sites with deep bedding of crystalline rocks (> 60 cm). To test the difference in stands growth within and outside sites with the crystalline outcrops, we used the Welch t-test. Pine forests on areas with deep bedding of parent rocks are systematically higher than those growing on sites with crystalline outcrops. With an increase of stand age, the difference between specie fi d groups tends to be more signic fi ant. Stands growing on sites with and without crystalline rocks outcrops have similar dynamics, however, the latter ones accumulate more growing stock volume due to higher relative stocking, site index, mean diameter, and the number of trees. Our n fi dings indicate the feasibility of establishing Scots pine stands in sites with different depths of the crystalline parent rocks bedding in Central Polissya, Ukraine. Key words: Scots pine; granitic rocks; productive capacity; mathematical models; yield tables Editor: Tomáš Hlásny conditions (Gordienko et al. 2006). 1. Introduction Soil conditions signic fi antly affect the productivity of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is the most widespread pine forests (Nieppola & Carleton 1991; Bravo-Oviedo & species among conifers (Eckenwalder 2009) growing Montero 2005; Aertsen et al. 2012; Sharma et al. 2012; throughout Eurasia (Mátyás et al. 2004; Durrant et al. Pietrzykowski et al. 2015, 2019; Bueis et al. 2016). The 2016). The wide ecological range of this species dem- interaction between the stand and the parent rock gen- onstrates its ability to adapt to different environments erates diverse growth dynamics (Migunova 2010). For (Chertov et al. 1999; Socha 2008; Praciak et al. 2013; example, soils with close bedding of granitic rocks or with Pietrzykowski et al. 2015; Zadworny et al. 2017). their outcropping affect the structure of the root system Scots pine stands play an important environmental of the trees (Kalinin et al. 1998). and economic role in the Ukrainian forests (Vedmid et In the Ukrainian Polissya, the influence of different al. 2008). Most pine plantations are concentrated in the soil types on the dynamics of Scots pine growth has been north, where the Plain Woodland is based on the Ukrain- studied, for example, by Gordienko et al. (2006), Turko ian shield (or Ukrainian Crystalline Massif). The precam- et al. (2007), Vedmid et al. (2008), Vishnevsky (2010). brian crystalline rocks (anticlinoria, synclinoria, plutons) The authors found that the pine diameter growth in composing it often come to the surface. In general, the infertile sites is almost identical to that in fairly infertile soil and climatic conditions of Polissya are favorable for sites in the first decades. The pine growth rate becomes pine stands. The most widespread here are infertile, fairly higher in fairly infertile sites in older ages only (Kopiy infertile, and fairly fertile sites with a variety of moisture *Corresponding author. Sergii B. Kovalevskii, e-mail: s.kovalevsky@ukr.net © 2022 Authors. This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license. S. B. Kovalevskii et al. / Cent. Eur. For. J. 68 (2022) 72–77 & Mychajlenko 2008). In Central Polissya, pine stands ers with low rocky banks, outcrops of parent rocks, and glacial formations (fluvioglacial deposits and moraines) on soils with close bedding of crystalline rocks were first (Zamorii 1955). established 100 years ago. These stands were proven to be productive (Kovalevskii & Krol 2018). Today, inter- The base of the geological structure is granite. The est in the creation of pine forests for their reproduction depth of the parent rock bedding ranges from 15 to 86 cm. and taking into account the resistance of Scots pine to The rocks often come to the surface of the soil as break- changes in environmental factors, taking into account stones and boulders. Soils are acid with a low content of the high ecological plasticity of the species, does not organic matter (humus), nutrients (NPK), and trace ele- decrease. Resolving this problem can provide the most ments (Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, B, Cr, Co). The most common are balanced composition of pine stands in such conditions sod-medium podzolic loamy sand soils and sod-medium while maximizing ecological and resource value. podzolic sand soils. Sod-podzolic loamy sand soils are This study aimed to identify the differences in the characterized by low moisture capacity, high density, growth and productivity of Scots pine stands growing poor water retention, high water permeability, and defi- on soils with close bedding of crystalline parent rocks and ciency in nutrients (Urkevich, 1969). The humus hori- their outcrops in the Central Polissya. zon thickness of sod-podzolic loamy sand soils is 14–16 cm on the plains, up to 10–12 cm on the hills, and up to 18 cm on the slopes. 2. Materials and methods 2.1. Study area 2.2. Data collection and analyses The study area and the permanent sample plots (PRP) are The rectangular research plots were established in the located in the north of Ukraine in Central Polissya within areas with and without crystalline rock outcrops. In total, 50°15‘and 50°06’ north latitudes and 29°22 ‘and 29°86’ 18 research plots were laid out on soils with crystalline east longitude, in Zhytomyr region (Fig. 1). rock outcrops and 18 research plots on sites with deep Geological and geomorphological features of the bedding of crystalline rocks (more than 60 cm). Research Central Polissya include lowland relief, sandy and loess plot locations were identified by random sampling from deposits and dunes, swamps, a branched network of riv- Fig. 1. The study area: a) location of the sample plots on a map of Ukraine; b) photo of typical Scots pine stand on soils with crystalline outcrops; c) close view of site with crystalline outcrops. 73 S. B. Kovalevskii et al. / Cent. Eur. For. J. 68 (2022) 72–77 the total number of sites that met the requirements (the quality can be determined by the total timber stock or by type of forest site conditions and age). Tree height (H), its average growth. Still, the most common indicator of breast height diameter (D) ≥ 4 cm, the height of the begin- forest productivity is the average height of trees in the r fi st ning of live crown, and crown diameter in 4 directions layer of a forest plantation at a certain age. Knowing the perpendicular to each other were measured to determine average height and age of trees, the site index of a planta- actual stand characteristics. The heights were measured tion was found according to the tables of quality classes. using a Vertex laser altimeter (Haglöf, Sweden) with an accuracy of 0.1 m. We then grouped all data into 15-year age classes so 3. results that each group consisted of at least three observations. We found that pine forests on areas with deep bedding of To test the difference in stand growth within areas of parent rocks are systematically higher than those grow- crystalline outcrops and without it we used the Welch ing on sites with crystalline outcrops. The statistical dif- t-test. This test is an adaptation of Students t-test which ference at 95% significance level between mean stands is recommended for groups comparison in case of data height was identified for stands older than 25 years heteroscedasticity. The Welch t-statistic is calculated as (Table 1). We found that the difference between speci- follows: fied groups tends to be more significant with an increase ݉ െ݉ ஺ ஻ ݐ ൌ ǡ of age. Fig. 2a also indicates that within-group variance ଶ ଶ ܵ ܵ [1] ஺ ஻ of height is higher for young and middle-aged stands ݊ ݊ ஺ ஻ than for pre-mature and mature ones. Similar results were obtained for mean stand diameter. However, the where m , m – represent mean values of heights and diam- A B differences were not as signic fi ant as for stand height. For eters assessed for two groups of pine stands with and without example, we found only one age group (70–84 age) for crystalline rocks outcrops, respectively; n , n , – represent the A B which the difference is significant at 95% level (p-value number of sample plots within each group being compared, 0.031). ଶ ଶ respectively; ܵ ǡܵ , – standard deviation of the two groups, respectively. Table 1. Assessment of statistical difference in mean stands’ The degrees of freedom for Welch t-test were esti- heights and diameters using Welch t-test. mated using equation [2]: Height Diameter ଶ ଶ ܵ ܵ Student’s Student’s Age groups, ages ஺ ஻ Df p-level df p-level ݊ ݊ ஺ ஻ t-statistic t-statistic ݂݀ ൌ Ǥ ଶ ଶ [2] 10–24 1.64 3.93 0.177 1.53 3.95 0.202 ܵ ܵ ஺ ஻ ଶ ଶ 25–39 2.89 3.72 0.049 1.76 4.00 0.153 ሺ ሻ ሺ ሻ ݊ ȉ ݊ െͳ ݊ ȉ ݊ െͳ ஻ ஺ ஺ ஻ 40–54 3.86 2.49 0.043 2.28 3.32 0.099 55–69 9.39 3.76 0.001 2.42 3.27 0.067 70–84 8.76 3.33 0.002 3.54 3.42 0.031 Thus, we den fi ed the null hypothesis H : m and cor- 0 A , 85–99 11.7 4.00 0.000 2.11 3.92 0.104 responding alternative hypothesis (H ) was as follows: Ha : m ≠ m . We used rstatix package for R statistical A B We also evaluated site quality for sampled stands software to conduct this analysis (Myroniuk, 2020). using site index curves which utilize the average height Site index is also an important indicator that deter- the dominant and codominant trees and their age. Thus, mines the productivity of a forest depending on soil con- for areas with crystalline rock outcrops, the pine stands ditions. Up to the 1st class, the most productive ideas growth is usually characterized by I–II site index classes. are given, up to the V – the least productive. The forest The growth of pine stands established on soils with Fig. 2. Boxplot representing the difference in growth of pine stands in areas with and without crystalline rock outcrops: a) mean height; b) mean diameter. 74 S. B. Kovalevskii et al. / Cent. Eur. For. J. 68 (2022) 72–77 Fig. 3. Boxplot representing the difference in mean annual increment of pine stands in areas with and without crystalline rock outcrops: a) mean height; b) mean diameter. deep bedding of crystalline rocks is faster and mostly are usually overstocked, while relative stocking of mature described by I–Ia site index curves. Thus, crystalline rock stands is only about 0.5–0.6. is assumed to be a limiting factor for the growth of pine stands (Fig. 3). Similarly to stand height and diameter we tested 4. Discussion difference in rates of their mean annual growth using Soils are an important component in determining the sus- Weltch t-test (Table 2). The differences are obvious tainability and productivity of forest ecosystems because for height increment, which persist for all analysed age their properties inu fl ence the growth, development, com - groups. Although there are certain specic fi s in the growth of pine stands in areas with and without crystalline rocks position, and structure of forest stands (Nambiar 1996; outcrops, we revealed no statistically significant differ - Chertov et al. 1999; Socha 2008; Afif-Khouri et al. 2010; ence in mean annual diameter growth for stand ages of Aertsen et al. 2012; Pietrzykowski et al. 2015). Mineral 70–84 and 85–99 years. composition, particle-size distribution, density, poros- ity, structure, and chemical properties of parent rocks Table 2. Assessment of statistical difference in mean annual largely determine the direction of the soil-forming proc- growth for stand height and diameter using Welch t-test. ess and, accordingly, the soil fertility level (Raspopina Mean annual height growth Mean annual diameter growth 2009; Migunova 2010). Student’s Student’s Age groups, ages Df p-level df p-level The growth and productive capacity of Scots pine t-statistic t-statistic 10–24 6.70 3.47 0.004 2.90 2.82 0.067 are directly dependent on soil fertility, particle-size dis- 25–39 9.66 2.15 0.008 5.14 3.54 0.009 tribution, and moisture level (Nieppola & Carleton 1991; 40–54 27.6 2.83 0.000 5.63 2.86 0.013 55–69 12.4 3.74 0.000 4.08 2.48 0.038 Mátyás et al. 2004; Gordienko et al. 2006; Bueis et al. 70–84 27.4 2.91 0.000 2.01 2.00 0.182 2016). The latter factor determines the survival abil- 85–99 7.74 2.23 0.012 2.85 2.10 0.099 ity, growth, and productivity of pine trees as a species The relative stocking of pine stands decreases with capable of growing in rather extreme forest conditions (Zborovska 2014). Analysis of the state of pine planta- age (Fig. 4). Pine stands of 10–24 years in study region Fig. 4. Relative stocking (a) and density (b) of pine stands in areas with and without crystalline rock outcrops. 75 S. B. Kovalevskii et al. / Cent. Eur. For. J. 68 (2022) 72–77 tions and growth patterns and productivity of pine stands Chertov, O., Komarov, A., Tsiplianovsky, A., 1999: The simulation of soil organic matter and nitrogen accu- in Central Polissya showed that this species could be mulation in Scots pine plantations on bare parent grown most successfully in fresh fertile and fairly fertile material using the combined forest model EFIMOD. forest site types (Gordienko et al. 2006; Turko et al. 2007; Plant and Soil, 213:31–41. Vishnevsky 2010). Durrant, T., de Rigo, D., Caudullo, G., 2016: Pinus sylves- Important mensuration characteristics to deter- tris in Europe: distribution, habitat, usage and threats. mine the productivity of forests of any age are the mean Eckenwalder, J. E., 2009: Conifers of the World: The Com- height and diameter of the stands, their age, site class, plete Reference. Portland, Timber Press, 720 p. the relative stocking, number of trees per hectare of area, Gordienko, M. I., Golovetsky, M. P., Buzun, V. A. et al., etc. (Hrom 2007; Lakida et al. 2011). Combining these 2006: Restoration of Scots pine plantations in the parameters makes it possible to determine whether the north of Kiev Polesie. Zhytomyr, Ruta, 158 p. stand growth corresponds to the forest site conditions Gromiak, O. Yu., Hrynyk, H. H., Gromiak, Yu. O., 2012: and identify influential environmental factors (Kopiy & Potential productivity of pine-woods of Ukrainian Mychajlenko 2008). Our results show that, in terms of Roztochchya. Scientic fi Bulletin of UNFU, 22:28–34. the productivity of Scots pine stands, sites with crystal- Hrom, M. M., 2007: Forest Mensuration. Lviv, RVV line parent rock outcrops may be suitable for the growth NLTU, 368 p. of this species. In the absence of a solid layer of break- Kalinin, M., Gyz, M., Debtinuik, Y., 1998: Forest root stones and stand-alone rocks, the roots can penetrate studies. Lviv, Prestiginform, 336 p. deeper soil horizons. It ensures the liveability of Scots Kopiy, L. I., Mychajlenko, M. M., 2008: An analysis of pine trees, their intensive growth, and a high stock of potential possibilities of increase of the productivity stem wood per unit area. of pine plantation is in terms of the coniferous forests. Our analysis confirmed the effect of stand density Scientic fi Bulletin of UNFU, 18:29–34. on the development of Scots pine’s crowns in sites with Kovalevskii, S. B., Krol, A. V., 2018: Pine Planting of crystalline parent rock outcrops since it is known that the Korostyshiv Forestry State Enterprise on Soils of Crys- best light conditions for the accumulation of stem wood talline Rocks. Scientic fi Bulletin of UNFU, 28:20–23. are essential in regulating the intensity of stand growth Kutyavin, I. N., 2013: Age Dynamics of Pinus sylvestris (Zborovska 2014). Growth in the Northern Cis-Urals. Forest Journal, 5:115–123. 5. Conclusion Lakida, P. I., Bilous, A. M., Vasilishin, R. D., Terentyev, A. Our analysis of the productivity of Scots pine stands in the Yu., Atamanchuk, R. V., 2011: Growth of pure modal sites with different depth of the crystalline parent rocks stands of softwood broadleaved species in Ukrainian bedding indicate the feasibility of establishing Scots Polissya. Scientific reports of NULES of Ukraine, pine stands across a broad range of sites. At the same 1:159–164. time, such sites have specic fi soil conditions and require Mátyás, C., Ackzell, C. J., Samuel, A., 2004. EUFORGEN differentiated management approaches fostering Scots technical guidelines for genetic conservation and use pine productivity. for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). International Plant Genetics Research Institute, 6 p. Migunova, E. S., 2010: Forests and forest lands. (quantita- tive assessment of interconnections). Moscow, 552 p. references Myroniuk, V. et al., 2020: Tracking Rates of Forest Dis- Aertsen, W., Kint, V., De Vos, B., Deckers, J., Van turbance and Associated Carbon Loss in Areas of Ille- Orshoven, J., Muys, B., 2012: Predicting forest site gal Amber Mining in Ukraine Using Landsat Time productivity in temperate lowland from forest floor, Series, 12:2235 soil and litterfall characteristics using boosted regres- Nambiar, E. K., 1996: Sustained productivity of forests sion trees. Plant and Soil, 354:157–172. is a continuing challenge to soil science. Soil Science Af fi -Khouri, E., Obregon, M. A. C., Oliveira-Prendes, J. A., Society of America Journal, 60:1629–1642. Gorgoso-Varela, J. J., Canga-Libano, E., 2010: Rela- Nieppola, J. J., Carleton, T. J., 1991: Relations between tionship among soil parameters, tree nutrition and site understorey vegetation, site productivity, and environ- index of Pinus radiata D. Don in Asturias, NW Spain. mental factors in Pinus sylvestris L. stands in Southern Forest Systems, 19:77–88. Finland. Vegetatio, 93:57–72. Bravo-Oviedo, A., Montero, G., 2005: Site index in rela- Pietrzykowski, M., Socha, J., van Doorn, N. S., 2015: tion to edaphic variables in stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) site index in relation stands in south west Spain. Ann For Sci, 62:61–72. to physico-chemical and biological properties in Bueis, T., Bravo, F., Pando, V., Turrión, M. B., 2016: reclaimed mine soils. New Forest, 46:247–266. Relationship between environmental parameters Praciak, A. et al., 2013. The CABI encyclopedia of forest and Pinus sylvestris L. site index in forest plantations trees (CABI, Oxfordshire, UK), 536 p. in northern Spain acidic plateau. iForest, 9:394–401. 76 S. B. Kovalevskii et al. / Cent. Eur. For. J. 68 (2022) 72–77 Raspopina, S. P., 2009: Properties of parent rocks and pro- Vedmid, M. M., Shkudor, V. D., Buzun, V. O., 2008: Res- ductivity of oak forests in slobozhansky forest district. toration of natural forest states of Western Polesie. Forestry and Forest Melioration, 115:181–183. Zhytomyr, Polesie, 304 p. Sharma, R. P, Brunner, A., Eid, T., 2012: Site index predic- Vishnevsky, A. V., 2010: Reforestation under the tent of tion from site and climate variables for Norway spruce ripe pine stands in the Rivne Polesie pines. Scientic fi and Scots pine in Norway. Scandinavian Journal of Bulletin of UNFU, 20:33–37. Forest Research, 27:619–636. Zadworny, M., McCormack, M. L., Żytkowiak, R., Socha, J., 2008: Effect of topography and geology on Karolewski, P., Mucha, J., Oleksyn, J., 2017: Patterns the site index of Picea abies in the West Carpathian, of structural and defense investments in n fi e roots of Poland. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) across a strong tem- 23:203–213. perature and latitudinal gradient in Europe. Global Turko, V. M., Vishnevsky, A. V., Trom fi enko, P. I., Brod - Change Biology, 23:1218–1231. sky, Yu. B., 2007: Inu fl ence of weather conditions on Zborovska, O. V., 2014: Scotch pine stands productivity radial growth of pine stands in Rivne Polesie pines. in fresh “bir” and “subir” on the water-glacial depos- Forestry and Forest Melioration, 111:59–62. its in the forests of Zhytomyr Polissya. Scientic fi Bul - Urkevich, I. 1969. The inu fl ence of soil conditions on the letin of UNFU, 24:51–56. growth of woody plants. Minsk, Nauka and tehnika, 115 p. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Forestry Journal de Gruyter

Growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands on soils with close bedding of crystalline parent rocks in Central Polissya, Ukraine

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de Gruyter
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© 2022 Sergii B. Kovalevskii et al., published by Sciendo
ISSN
0323-1046
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2454-0358
DOI
10.2478/forj-2021-0026
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Abstract

The wide ecological range of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) demonstrates its ability to adapt to different environments. This study aimed to assess the dynamics of growth and productivity of Scots pine stands growing on soils with crystal- line parent rock outcrops. The study area is located in the north of Ukraine in the Central Polissya within 50°15’ and 50°06’ north latitudes and 29°22’ and 29°86’ east longitudes. The base of the geological structure is granite. The depth of the parent rock bedding ranges from 15 to 86 cm. In total, 18 research plots were laid out on soils with crystalline rock outcrops and 18 research plots on sites with deep bedding of crystalline rocks (> 60 cm). To test the difference in stands growth within and outside sites with the crystalline outcrops, we used the Welch t-test. Pine forests on areas with deep bedding of parent rocks are systematically higher than those growing on sites with crystalline outcrops. With an increase of stand age, the difference between specie fi d groups tends to be more signic fi ant. Stands growing on sites with and without crystalline rocks outcrops have similar dynamics, however, the latter ones accumulate more growing stock volume due to higher relative stocking, site index, mean diameter, and the number of trees. Our n fi dings indicate the feasibility of establishing Scots pine stands in sites with different depths of the crystalline parent rocks bedding in Central Polissya, Ukraine. Key words: Scots pine; granitic rocks; productive capacity; mathematical models; yield tables Editor: Tomáš Hlásny conditions (Gordienko et al. 2006). 1. Introduction Soil conditions signic fi antly affect the productivity of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is the most widespread pine forests (Nieppola & Carleton 1991; Bravo-Oviedo & species among conifers (Eckenwalder 2009) growing Montero 2005; Aertsen et al. 2012; Sharma et al. 2012; throughout Eurasia (Mátyás et al. 2004; Durrant et al. Pietrzykowski et al. 2015, 2019; Bueis et al. 2016). The 2016). The wide ecological range of this species dem- interaction between the stand and the parent rock gen- onstrates its ability to adapt to different environments erates diverse growth dynamics (Migunova 2010). For (Chertov et al. 1999; Socha 2008; Praciak et al. 2013; example, soils with close bedding of granitic rocks or with Pietrzykowski et al. 2015; Zadworny et al. 2017). their outcropping affect the structure of the root system Scots pine stands play an important environmental of the trees (Kalinin et al. 1998). and economic role in the Ukrainian forests (Vedmid et In the Ukrainian Polissya, the influence of different al. 2008). Most pine plantations are concentrated in the soil types on the dynamics of Scots pine growth has been north, where the Plain Woodland is based on the Ukrain- studied, for example, by Gordienko et al. (2006), Turko ian shield (or Ukrainian Crystalline Massif). The precam- et al. (2007), Vedmid et al. (2008), Vishnevsky (2010). brian crystalline rocks (anticlinoria, synclinoria, plutons) The authors found that the pine diameter growth in composing it often come to the surface. In general, the infertile sites is almost identical to that in fairly infertile soil and climatic conditions of Polissya are favorable for sites in the first decades. The pine growth rate becomes pine stands. The most widespread here are infertile, fairly higher in fairly infertile sites in older ages only (Kopiy infertile, and fairly fertile sites with a variety of moisture *Corresponding author. Sergii B. Kovalevskii, e-mail: s.kovalevsky@ukr.net © 2022 Authors. This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license. S. B. Kovalevskii et al. / Cent. Eur. For. J. 68 (2022) 72–77 & Mychajlenko 2008). In Central Polissya, pine stands ers with low rocky banks, outcrops of parent rocks, and glacial formations (fluvioglacial deposits and moraines) on soils with close bedding of crystalline rocks were first (Zamorii 1955). established 100 years ago. These stands were proven to be productive (Kovalevskii & Krol 2018). Today, inter- The base of the geological structure is granite. The est in the creation of pine forests for their reproduction depth of the parent rock bedding ranges from 15 to 86 cm. and taking into account the resistance of Scots pine to The rocks often come to the surface of the soil as break- changes in environmental factors, taking into account stones and boulders. Soils are acid with a low content of the high ecological plasticity of the species, does not organic matter (humus), nutrients (NPK), and trace ele- decrease. Resolving this problem can provide the most ments (Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, B, Cr, Co). The most common are balanced composition of pine stands in such conditions sod-medium podzolic loamy sand soils and sod-medium while maximizing ecological and resource value. podzolic sand soils. Sod-podzolic loamy sand soils are This study aimed to identify the differences in the characterized by low moisture capacity, high density, growth and productivity of Scots pine stands growing poor water retention, high water permeability, and defi- on soils with close bedding of crystalline parent rocks and ciency in nutrients (Urkevich, 1969). The humus hori- their outcrops in the Central Polissya. zon thickness of sod-podzolic loamy sand soils is 14–16 cm on the plains, up to 10–12 cm on the hills, and up to 18 cm on the slopes. 2. Materials and methods 2.1. Study area 2.2. Data collection and analyses The study area and the permanent sample plots (PRP) are The rectangular research plots were established in the located in the north of Ukraine in Central Polissya within areas with and without crystalline rock outcrops. In total, 50°15‘and 50°06’ north latitudes and 29°22 ‘and 29°86’ 18 research plots were laid out on soils with crystalline east longitude, in Zhytomyr region (Fig. 1). rock outcrops and 18 research plots on sites with deep Geological and geomorphological features of the bedding of crystalline rocks (more than 60 cm). Research Central Polissya include lowland relief, sandy and loess plot locations were identified by random sampling from deposits and dunes, swamps, a branched network of riv- Fig. 1. The study area: a) location of the sample plots on a map of Ukraine; b) photo of typical Scots pine stand on soils with crystalline outcrops; c) close view of site with crystalline outcrops. 73 S. B. Kovalevskii et al. / Cent. Eur. For. J. 68 (2022) 72–77 the total number of sites that met the requirements (the quality can be determined by the total timber stock or by type of forest site conditions and age). Tree height (H), its average growth. Still, the most common indicator of breast height diameter (D) ≥ 4 cm, the height of the begin- forest productivity is the average height of trees in the r fi st ning of live crown, and crown diameter in 4 directions layer of a forest plantation at a certain age. Knowing the perpendicular to each other were measured to determine average height and age of trees, the site index of a planta- actual stand characteristics. The heights were measured tion was found according to the tables of quality classes. using a Vertex laser altimeter (Haglöf, Sweden) with an accuracy of 0.1 m. We then grouped all data into 15-year age classes so 3. results that each group consisted of at least three observations. We found that pine forests on areas with deep bedding of To test the difference in stand growth within areas of parent rocks are systematically higher than those grow- crystalline outcrops and without it we used the Welch ing on sites with crystalline outcrops. The statistical dif- t-test. This test is an adaptation of Students t-test which ference at 95% significance level between mean stands is recommended for groups comparison in case of data height was identified for stands older than 25 years heteroscedasticity. The Welch t-statistic is calculated as (Table 1). We found that the difference between speci- follows: fied groups tends to be more significant with an increase ݉ െ݉ ஺ ஻ ݐ ൌ ǡ of age. Fig. 2a also indicates that within-group variance ଶ ଶ ܵ ܵ [1] ஺ ஻ of height is higher for young and middle-aged stands ݊ ݊ ஺ ஻ than for pre-mature and mature ones. Similar results were obtained for mean stand diameter. However, the where m , m – represent mean values of heights and diam- A B differences were not as signic fi ant as for stand height. For eters assessed for two groups of pine stands with and without example, we found only one age group (70–84 age) for crystalline rocks outcrops, respectively; n , n , – represent the A B which the difference is significant at 95% level (p-value number of sample plots within each group being compared, 0.031). ଶ ଶ respectively; ܵ ǡܵ , – standard deviation of the two groups, respectively. Table 1. Assessment of statistical difference in mean stands’ The degrees of freedom for Welch t-test were esti- heights and diameters using Welch t-test. mated using equation [2]: Height Diameter ଶ ଶ ܵ ܵ Student’s Student’s Age groups, ages ஺ ஻ Df p-level df p-level ݊ ݊ ஺ ஻ t-statistic t-statistic ݂݀ ൌ Ǥ ଶ ଶ [2] 10–24 1.64 3.93 0.177 1.53 3.95 0.202 ܵ ܵ ஺ ஻ ଶ ଶ 25–39 2.89 3.72 0.049 1.76 4.00 0.153 ሺ ሻ ሺ ሻ ݊ ȉ ݊ െͳ ݊ ȉ ݊ െͳ ஻ ஺ ஺ ஻ 40–54 3.86 2.49 0.043 2.28 3.32 0.099 55–69 9.39 3.76 0.001 2.42 3.27 0.067 70–84 8.76 3.33 0.002 3.54 3.42 0.031 Thus, we den fi ed the null hypothesis H : m and cor- 0 A , 85–99 11.7 4.00 0.000 2.11 3.92 0.104 responding alternative hypothesis (H ) was as follows: Ha : m ≠ m . We used rstatix package for R statistical A B We also evaluated site quality for sampled stands software to conduct this analysis (Myroniuk, 2020). using site index curves which utilize the average height Site index is also an important indicator that deter- the dominant and codominant trees and their age. Thus, mines the productivity of a forest depending on soil con- for areas with crystalline rock outcrops, the pine stands ditions. Up to the 1st class, the most productive ideas growth is usually characterized by I–II site index classes. are given, up to the V – the least productive. The forest The growth of pine stands established on soils with Fig. 2. Boxplot representing the difference in growth of pine stands in areas with and without crystalline rock outcrops: a) mean height; b) mean diameter. 74 S. B. Kovalevskii et al. / Cent. Eur. For. J. 68 (2022) 72–77 Fig. 3. Boxplot representing the difference in mean annual increment of pine stands in areas with and without crystalline rock outcrops: a) mean height; b) mean diameter. deep bedding of crystalline rocks is faster and mostly are usually overstocked, while relative stocking of mature described by I–Ia site index curves. Thus, crystalline rock stands is only about 0.5–0.6. is assumed to be a limiting factor for the growth of pine stands (Fig. 3). Similarly to stand height and diameter we tested 4. Discussion difference in rates of their mean annual growth using Soils are an important component in determining the sus- Weltch t-test (Table 2). The differences are obvious tainability and productivity of forest ecosystems because for height increment, which persist for all analysed age their properties inu fl ence the growth, development, com - groups. Although there are certain specic fi s in the growth of pine stands in areas with and without crystalline rocks position, and structure of forest stands (Nambiar 1996; outcrops, we revealed no statistically significant differ - Chertov et al. 1999; Socha 2008; Afif-Khouri et al. 2010; ence in mean annual diameter growth for stand ages of Aertsen et al. 2012; Pietrzykowski et al. 2015). Mineral 70–84 and 85–99 years. composition, particle-size distribution, density, poros- ity, structure, and chemical properties of parent rocks Table 2. Assessment of statistical difference in mean annual largely determine the direction of the soil-forming proc- growth for stand height and diameter using Welch t-test. ess and, accordingly, the soil fertility level (Raspopina Mean annual height growth Mean annual diameter growth 2009; Migunova 2010). Student’s Student’s Age groups, ages Df p-level df p-level The growth and productive capacity of Scots pine t-statistic t-statistic 10–24 6.70 3.47 0.004 2.90 2.82 0.067 are directly dependent on soil fertility, particle-size dis- 25–39 9.66 2.15 0.008 5.14 3.54 0.009 tribution, and moisture level (Nieppola & Carleton 1991; 40–54 27.6 2.83 0.000 5.63 2.86 0.013 55–69 12.4 3.74 0.000 4.08 2.48 0.038 Mátyás et al. 2004; Gordienko et al. 2006; Bueis et al. 70–84 27.4 2.91 0.000 2.01 2.00 0.182 2016). The latter factor determines the survival abil- 85–99 7.74 2.23 0.012 2.85 2.10 0.099 ity, growth, and productivity of pine trees as a species The relative stocking of pine stands decreases with capable of growing in rather extreme forest conditions (Zborovska 2014). Analysis of the state of pine planta- age (Fig. 4). Pine stands of 10–24 years in study region Fig. 4. Relative stocking (a) and density (b) of pine stands in areas with and without crystalline rock outcrops. 75 S. B. Kovalevskii et al. / Cent. Eur. For. J. 68 (2022) 72–77 tions and growth patterns and productivity of pine stands Chertov, O., Komarov, A., Tsiplianovsky, A., 1999: The simulation of soil organic matter and nitrogen accu- in Central Polissya showed that this species could be mulation in Scots pine plantations on bare parent grown most successfully in fresh fertile and fairly fertile material using the combined forest model EFIMOD. forest site types (Gordienko et al. 2006; Turko et al. 2007; Plant and Soil, 213:31–41. Vishnevsky 2010). Durrant, T., de Rigo, D., Caudullo, G., 2016: Pinus sylves- Important mensuration characteristics to deter- tris in Europe: distribution, habitat, usage and threats. mine the productivity of forests of any age are the mean Eckenwalder, J. E., 2009: Conifers of the World: The Com- height and diameter of the stands, their age, site class, plete Reference. Portland, Timber Press, 720 p. the relative stocking, number of trees per hectare of area, Gordienko, M. I., Golovetsky, M. P., Buzun, V. A. et al., etc. (Hrom 2007; Lakida et al. 2011). Combining these 2006: Restoration of Scots pine plantations in the parameters makes it possible to determine whether the north of Kiev Polesie. Zhytomyr, Ruta, 158 p. stand growth corresponds to the forest site conditions Gromiak, O. Yu., Hrynyk, H. H., Gromiak, Yu. O., 2012: and identify influential environmental factors (Kopiy & Potential productivity of pine-woods of Ukrainian Mychajlenko 2008). Our results show that, in terms of Roztochchya. Scientic fi Bulletin of UNFU, 22:28–34. the productivity of Scots pine stands, sites with crystal- Hrom, M. M., 2007: Forest Mensuration. Lviv, RVV line parent rock outcrops may be suitable for the growth NLTU, 368 p. of this species. In the absence of a solid layer of break- Kalinin, M., Gyz, M., Debtinuik, Y., 1998: Forest root stones and stand-alone rocks, the roots can penetrate studies. Lviv, Prestiginform, 336 p. deeper soil horizons. It ensures the liveability of Scots Kopiy, L. I., Mychajlenko, M. M., 2008: An analysis of pine trees, their intensive growth, and a high stock of potential possibilities of increase of the productivity stem wood per unit area. of pine plantation is in terms of the coniferous forests. Our analysis confirmed the effect of stand density Scientic fi Bulletin of UNFU, 18:29–34. on the development of Scots pine’s crowns in sites with Kovalevskii, S. B., Krol, A. V., 2018: Pine Planting of crystalline parent rock outcrops since it is known that the Korostyshiv Forestry State Enterprise on Soils of Crys- best light conditions for the accumulation of stem wood talline Rocks. Scientic fi Bulletin of UNFU, 28:20–23. are essential in regulating the intensity of stand growth Kutyavin, I. 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Journal

Forestry Journalde Gruyter

Published: Jun 1, 2022

Keywords: Scots pine; granitic rocks; productive capacity; mathematical models; yield tables

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