THE STUDY OF THE GROWTH OF SIBERIAN LARCH (LARIX SIBIRICA L.) FOREST CULTURES UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE FOREST-STEPPE SUBZONE (THE CASE STUDY OF THE "BURABAY" STATE NATIONAL NATURE PARK)
An urgent problem for the current Northern Kazakhstan, i.e. the creation of forest cultures of the major forest-forming species and protective afforestation is discussed. The research targets were the forest cultures of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica L.) in the State National Nature Park “Burabay”. The biometrical data of pure 40-year-old cultures of Siberian larch, Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and silver birch (Betula pendula R.) were studied to compare the growth of the indigenous and introduced species. The cluster analysis and the analysis of variance were made to reveal the influence of other tree species on the formation of Siberian larch plantings in mixed plantings. It was found that Siberian larch exceeded the even-aged plantings of Scotch pine and silver birch in height, but fell behind the Scotch pine in diameter. However, silver birch suppresses the growth of Siberian larch in mixed cultures. Based on the research results, the authors have concluded that the establishment of pure forest cultures of Siberian larch is the most effective way of reforestation.