Survival of forest strips in ash and slag dump territory of Chita combined heat and power plant

Abstract

This article is a continuation of research on creation of forest protective strips on the territory of sanitary protection zone with intensive influence of ash and slag dump of the Chita CHPP-1 (TGC-14). Earlier (2017-2019), plantings were made focused on reducing atmospheric pollution, improving soil properties, regulating surface runoff that prevents erosion, fixing ground cover, reducing wind speed and retaining small solid particles. The aim of the research was to analyze survival rate and health of woody and shrubby plant species in protective forest strips; to obtain linear indicators of plant growth and development in experimental plots. In the course of the research, it was found that the overall survival of plants in the experimental plots differed by year. Survival rate of woody and shrubby plant species also differed. Larix gmelinii, Betula pendula, Hippophae rhamnoides, Crataegus sanguinea, Caragana spinosa and Elaeagnus commutata had the highest survival rate in the experiment. The survival of shrubs was generally better than that of trees. Among shrub species, Caragana spinosa (92 and 81 %) and Elaeagnus commutata (95 and 86 %) were characterized by good survival in plantings in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Rosa acicularis (20 %), Spiraea media and Sorbaria sorbifolia (28 %) showed low survival in 2019. The plant survival varies significantly depending on the planting season, types of seedlings and planting technology. The use of planting material (wildfowl) with a large earthen lump increases plant survival in forest protection strips. Unfavorable factors that have a negative impact on the transplanted plants are man-made landscapes, harmful atmospheric impurities from the ash and slag dump. Moreover, competitive relations with herbaceous plants, intensive grazing of animals, insect and disease damage have an additional impact. For healthy growth of plants, it is necessary to perform care for plantings, and organizational measures (fencing of experimental plots with signal tapes). It is important to continue observations and repeat plantings to clarify the adaptive ability of plant species grown in protective plantings, improve planting technology.