Mature beech stands in different categories of forests of the plain part of Ukraine

According to the forest fund accounting materials, the areas of mature beech stands estimated by Forest Management Organization were determined in 17 categories of forest. Forest stands up to 170 years are mature in the forests of nature protection objects. It was determined that the largest share of such stand (more than 57% of total area) is located in operational forests and 15.7% are concentrated in the forest management part of green areas. Mature beech stands grow in beech, oak, fir and pine types of forest. The largest area of beech stands is concentrated on the territory of the Western Forest-Steppe, namely in different forest vegetation conditions of the Ukrainian Roztochia, Opillya and Western Podillya. They prevail in the conditions of fresh oak-hornbeam beech forest type occupying more than 10 thousand hectares, as well as in wet oak-hornbeam beech type of forest occupying almost 8.5 thousand hectares. The stands are formed by the share of European beech from 2 to 10 units in the tree species composition. In some regions, along with European beech there are common oak, white fir (in Prykarpattia) and Scots pine (in Roztochia) in tree species composition and accompanying tree species are often represented by hornbeam, maple, birch and aspen. More than 52% of pure stands in terms of area and number of plots are concentrated in operational forests. The most common are stands with a relative density of 0.5, covering an area of almost 7.4 thousand hectares (1762 plots), while stands with a density of 0.7 cover area of 7.3 thousand hectares forming 1150 plots. Taking into account that plain beech forests perform 54 primary functions, among which the high importance is dedicated to the social and protective functions the structure of stands should be optimal for their effective implementation of such functions over a long period. To achieve this recommended forming productive stands with a significant proportion of beech in the tree species composition. On average, the share of beech in tree species composition of the analyzed categories of forests and forest plots is in the range of 6.0-9.9 units. The largest share (more than 52%) of pure beech stands are concentrated in operational category of forests. Mature beech stands in the forest management part of the forests of green areas are characterized by the highest productivity. The wood stock value in some stands reach 590 - 661 m3∙ha-1. Taking into account the bioecological features of European beech, its ability to regenerate naturally and the functions performed forestry measures in mature beech stands to be aimed at its natural regeneration and gradual transformation into complex structures of different ages. Implementation of various functions by beech stands requires the application of such forest management measures that ought to meet the purpose of management at best; permanent preservation of the forest environment; strengthening the performance of certain functions and timely and high-quality natural regeneration of forest areas. Moreover, it calls for measures towards their gradual transformation into complex structures of different ages in most forest categories, including recreational & health improving forests and forests that fulfil environmental and protective functions.