Mid-Volga oak woods: condition, regeneration аnd conservation

The paper stresses that Mid-Volga oak woods were always subject to active forest exploitation human activities. Historical review of Mid-Volga oak formation development by several researchers shows that commercial activities in oak woods in the region sufficiently impacted this species plantation condition over 300 years. It is outlined that reasons of oak plantation productivity and quality reduction were imperfection of forest management in oak woods, periodical negative climate factors and especially oak phytocoenosis growing in its area boundaries with sufficient impacts. Modern analysis of oak wood origin in the region found that mainly low stem oak woods (67% of total area) prevail. High stem oak woods have advantage over low stem ones in Republic of Tatarstan, Republic of Chuvashiya and Mry El Republic. Research developments to produce common oak planting stock planting stock its regeneration and shaping in plantations. It is outlined that in the region there is ongoing research to regenerate and shape oak woods which enables development of innovative technologies to regenerate and conserve oak forests in the region.