Distribution Density and Biomorphological Features of Pinus sylvestris L. Undergrowth on the Crimean Yaylaks. P. 60–73

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UDС

582.475(477.75)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2026-5-60-73

Abstract

The research was carried out on the largest yaylaks of Crimea. The work aimed at defining the seed regeneration patterns of Pinus sylvestris on the Crimean yaylaks. Areas containing P. sylvestris undergrowth were found using transect surveys. The undergrowth distribution density was determined in 10×10 m sample plots laid out with 20 m intervals from the edge of artificial P. sylvestris stands. We studied the biometric and age-specific parameters, and assessed the quality of self-seeding using the forestry and field geobotany methods. As a result, significant differences were found in the occurrence and biomorphological parameters of undergrowth on the Crimean yaylaks. The highest variation coefficient is observed for the frequency of undergrowth occurrence – 52.3 %, which indicates significant unevenness in its spatial distribution. On the Babugan yaylak, the age structure is represented by two groups: 6- and 7-year-old undergrowth. Three age groups have been found on the Nikitskaya yaylak; younger, 5-year-old plants predominate in the age structure. It has been found that the probability of P. sylvestris self-seeding in the conditions of the Nikitskaya yaylak is 30 % higher compared to the Babugan yaylak. The temperature regime is the most important factor controlling the growth and development of seedlings in the ecotopes of the Crimean yaylaks. An increased density of self-seeding was observed at a distance of 100 m southeast from the edge of artificially planted P. sylvestris on the Nikitskaya yaylak. The maximum value of this parameter on the Babugan yaylak was observed at a distance of 300 m northeast from the stand edge. Natural regeneration of P. sylvestris on the Nikitskaya and Babugan yaylaks is assessed in certain areas as promising based on age characteristics and distribution density.

Authors

Vladimir P. Koba^1*, Doctor of Biology, Prof., Head of Laboratory; ResearcherID: AHH-4819-2022, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2144-0836
Igor A. Krestianishin², Head of Department; ResearcherID: AIC-4574-2022, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2606-2317

Affiliation

¹Nikitsky Botanical Garden – National Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yalta, Republic of Crimea, Russia; kobavp@mail.ru*
²Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Crimea, Simferopol, Republic of Crimea, Russia; krest.igor@mail.ru

Keywords

Crimea Mountains, yaylaks, Pinus sylvestris, Scots pine, artificial stands, natural regeneration, undergrowth, distribution density, undergrowth biometric parameters, Republic of Crimea

For citation

Koba V.P., Krestianishin I.A. Distribution Density and Biomorphological Features of Pinus sylvestris L. Undergrowth on the Crimean Yaylaks. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2026, no. 5, pp. 60–73. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2026-5-60-73

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