The composition of resource plant species in the spruce forests of the Prionezhsky forestry of Karelia

The article presents data on the general characteristics of the studied phytocenoses, on the structure and composition of the main components of the forest, on the frequency and projective coverage of resource plants growing under the canopy of the wood sorrel spruce forest, blueberry spruce and haircap-moss spruce forest. The object of the study is the ripe spruce forests of the Prionezhsky forestry of the Republic of Karelia. The composition of stands was established based on the results of an enumeration survey according to the method generally accepted in forestry and in forest taxation. Stands on all experimental plots have a ripe age of 80-110 years. The proportion of spruce in the stands is 92-100%. The species composition, height and abundance of young generation of forests and undergrowth were established on circular discount areas of 10 m2 in accordance with RF Patent No. 2084129. The accounting of live forest cover was performed on the same discount areas. 80-98% of Picea abies (L.) H. Karst were identified in the undergrowth. In addition to spruce, oak Quercus robur L. and two species of birch: fluffy birch Betula pubescens EHRH and the warty Betula pendula ROTH formed a part of this forest component. Of the understory species, common mountain ash - Sorbus aucuparia L. dominated on all research sites. As for frequency and projective coverage, Oxalis acetozella L. and Vaccinium myrtillus L. predominated in the wood sorrel spruce forest; and Vaccinium myrtillus L. and Equisetum sylvaticum L. predominated under the canopy of the haircap-moss spruce forest. The authors provide a general list of species growing on experimental areas and allocate resource plant species. The distribution of resource types by groups of economic purpose is given. Of the five selected groups, the authors defined 13 predominating species of medicinal plants and 12 species of honey plants. It is noted that only four species are classified as forage plants. The results obtained can be used in the educational process, in assessing stocks of non-wood forest products and designing measures for conservation and protection of species of resource importance. Experimental data may serve as a basis for planning industrial harvesting of certain types of non-wood forest products. The research results are applicable to the updating of forestry regulations of forestry and forest plans of the subjects of the Russian Federation.