Major risks and technologies of artificial forest regeneration in fire-sites of the Republic of Mari El

Wildfires occur in the Republic of Mari El (Russian Federation) from time to time, that is why reforestation work is very important in the region. Some risks arise in the course of forest reproduction at fire-sites. Wastelands formation, May beetle outburst (Melolontha melolontha), fire recurrence are the most typical risks. Predominance in the forests (sandy soil) of the Republic of Mari El of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) determines regeneration of this very species. Accelerated growth of pine in fire-sites is achievable through artificial forest regeneration. The goal of our research is to study the influence of different technologies of plantation establishment in fire-sites on their development and productivity and assess possible risks mitigation in establishment and cultivation of the plantations. Eight different plots of planted Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) were studied. These plots are rectangular (Н-1, K-1, К-3, К-4, К-5), square (К-2) and spot planting (Н-2, Н-3) plots. The initial density of the planted trees was different in the plots; it was low (К-1, К-2, К-3), mean (К-4) and high (Н-1, К-5). It was revealed that in the plots where trees were planted with high initial density (more than 10000 trees per hectare) the risk of May beetle outburst was reduced due to quick canopy closure (up to 3-4 years). Two-row spot planting of Scots pine and leaving the wide inter-rows (Н-2, Н-3) makes it possible to carry out the prevention measures and contributes to forest environment preservation and natural regeneration of broadleaved species