Forest regeneration and sustainability at the Forest / Steppe border, aimed to control desertification in Ukraine

About 1.4 million ha of forest plantations were created in Ukraine during the second half of the 20th century, consisting mainly of Scots pine. The established pine plantations, however, appeared to be very susceptible to complex damages, simultaneously caused by insects, fungi and fires. These damages appear to have increased during recent decades, possibly as an affect of climate warming.

The aim of this project is to investigate biotic and abiotic processes that hinder re-afforestation on areas burned by forest fires in the Steppe – Forest/Steppe zone of Ukraine, and to develop practical recommendations to decrease their negative impact.

Investigations of the biology and infection potential of the root rot fungus Rhizina undulata
The spread of R. undulata was assessed in pine plantations established in burned areas. The vitality of the pine seedlings and potential root infection by R. undulata were investigated.



Exploration of soil fungal communities and assessment of the suitability of local mycorrhizal species for artificial inoculation of planting material (seedlings)
Mycorrhizal root tips have been collected in burned and unburned sites, in order to identify native species of fungi as potential candidates for seedling inoculation.

Potential impact of high temperatures on the viability of the root rot fungus Heterobasidion annosum under field conditions
Heterobasidion annosum disease centres were found in burned and unburned sites, including sites with “black” sand and sites with 'normal' soil texture.
Fungi have been isolated from collected wood samples, focusing on the root rot pathogen H. annosum.

Phenology, ecology and feeding behaviour of bark beetles and the large pine weevil and pathogenicity of the associated fungi
Fungal species associated with bark beetles, Hylastes ater, H. opacus and Hylurgus ligniperda, and the large pine weevil Hylobius abietis were studied in different substrates (stumps, logs, slash, seedlings) in burned and unburned sites. Using Koch’s postulate, fungi isolated from beetles, were inoculated on pine seedlings to assess their pathogenicity.

Interaction between insects and fungi involved in decomposition of burned snags, logs and stumps, and their ecological importance
Species composition of fungi and insects and their impact on wood decomposition have been examined in wood samples (burned snags, logs and stumps).

Transfer of knowledge to Ukrainian partners from the current EU LITCOAST project.
Transfer of knowledge to Ukrainian partners from the current EU LITCOAST project is an important part of this project in order to reinforce and develop the research competence regarding investigations of  damages caused by root rot fungi R. undulata and H. annosum as well as biodiversity of fungi and insects involved in decomposition of wood on afforested sandy dunes.