THE CURRENT STATE OF THE COLCHIAN BOXWOOD (BUXUS COLCHICA POJ.) AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON ITS GENE POOL CONSERVATION IN THE NORTHERN BORDER OF NATURAL HABITATS
The Colchian boxwood (Buxus colchica Poj.) grow with a different share of distribution in the first, second storey and in the undergrowth in the northern border of its natural distribution within the natural monument of national significance «Forest area of Colchian boxwood» (Russian Federation, Republic of Adygea, Maikop district). The massive attack of boxwood pickleworm resulted in its loss nearly in this whole territory. The death of boxwood causes the decay of indigenous biocenoses with its participation. To preserve the local population of the species, it is advisable to take effective actions to control boxwood pickleworm, take out dead specimens, carry out measures for artificial reforestation (sowing, planting, facilitating natural regeneration), and cuttings for overgrowth regeneration. In order to obtain seed material oriented at the maximum genetic diversity of the boxwood forest, it is proposed to lay forest seed plots at heights of 420 to 770 m above sea level.