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· GOI.JNmR¥ REBORmS 11
Present status of the conservation and use of broad leaved forest genetic
resources in Moldova
Gheorghe Postolache
Institute of Botany, Chi;>inau, Moldova
The total forest fund occupies 11.7% of Moldova's territory (394400 ha), including 325 400 ha
covered by forests (9.6% of the territory). The total growing stock is 35.14 million m 3
constituting only 8.1 m 3 of timber stock and 0.075 ha of forest land per capita.
The state forest organizations manage 345600 ha or 87.5% of the total area, of which
295300 ha (or 85.6%) are covered with forests. The rest of the area, which is made up of
48800 ha or 12.4% of the territory, is managed by municipalities and agricultural farms.
The principal species in the natural forest are oaks, which occupy 140500 ha. Three
species of oaks occur: Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., Q. robur L. and Q. pubescens Willd.
Forest types are distributed according to the zonal and vertical division of the territory.
Forest associations of Q. petraea occupy watersheds and slopes of different expositions in the
central part of Moldova (180-400 m). Quercus robur occupies sites of low relief. In the
northern part of the country natural forests predominate. Forest associations of Q. pubescens
are widespread in the south. European beech (Fagus sylvatica) grows only in the central part
of Moldova.
Thus, in spite of the small territory occupied by forests, the forest vegetation is rather
diversified. Twelve 'zonal' and six 'azonal' types of forests were recognized (Gheideman et
al. 1964; Postolache 1995).
According to the forest planning inventory (1985) the area of forest stands, which do not
correspond to the ecological site conditions, constitutes around 40% of all the forests.
Ninety-five percent of this area is covered by species such as Robinia pseudo-acacia (52%), ash
(15%) and hornbeam (8%).
A tendency to invasion by the introduced maple tree (Acer negundo) was noticed in the
meadow forests in the valleys of the Nistru and Prut rivers. This maple species invades
mainly willows and poplar stands. Reconstruction and careful silvicultural management are
now carried out with the aim of re-establishing the original stands (including native oaks).
The health condition of many forest stands worsened considerably recently. The average
annual surface of forests damaged by defoliating insects constitutes 50 000-70 000 ha (16-22%
of the area occupied by forests); this area has to be subjected to some active measures of
control every year.
Droughts, frosts and reduced biological resistance of some forest plots lead to the further
spreading of pathogens and overall decline.
The natural regeneration of most oak stands is satisfactory (Ivanov 1962), and most stands
were regenerated in this way. Natural regeneration is very difficult in the damaged or
declining stands.
In the application of natural regeneration, priority is given to stands which consist of
native species, thus contributing to gene conservation. Artificial regeneration methods were
applied after clear-cutting, successive logging, etc. The application of different methods of
regeneration aims at achieving a structure similar to that of natural forests.
Forest plantations have been created during the last 50 years on a total area of 171 000 ha.
Forest stands (113 000 ha) and forest belts (21 000 ha) have been planted.
The concept of creating stands similar to the natural ecosystems through the use of the
native species was established. The origin of forest reproductive material for the creation of
more productive and resistant forest plantations in extreme ecological conditions was
recognized and controlled. That is why conservation of the forest genetic resources is one of
the principal objectives of our silviculture.