Taxation structure of Brutia pine (Pinus brutia TEN.) in Syria depending on orographic conditions

Abstract

Artificial plantations of Brutia pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) in the conditions of two regions of Syria – the provinces of Latakia and Tartus – grow at different heights above sea level. At the research objects, accounting sites of a constant radius of 400 square meter were laid, arranged over an area in such a way as to cover the statistical variability of the studied taxation indicators. The distribution rows of tree trunks at a height of 1.3 m were ranked after 5 cm with the analysis of the indicators of symmetry and kurtosis of rank rows. The taxation indicators of the heights and diameters of the trunks of the trees of the Brutia pine (P. brutia Ten.) in its plantations have a direct correlation of varying strength with both the height of the site above sea level and the amount of precipitation. The indicator of the planting stock has the greatest direct correlation from the height of the plot above sea level and the amount of precipitation, in comparison with the indicator of the average diameter of the stands of the Brutia pine (P. brutia Ten.). The rank structure of the diameters of the trunks of the Brutia pine (P. brutia Ten.) has its own fundamental differences associated with the placement of growing areas above sea level. With an increase in the height above sea level of the plantation area, the number of trees with larger trunks in the plantation increases. An analysis of the asymmetry and excesses of the distribution series of diameters of trunks of the Brutia pine (P. brutia Ten.) revealed that a decrease in the competitive load in plantations of this species is associated with an increase in altitude above sea level. The most optimal conditions for the growth of the Brutia pine (P. brutia Ten.) are on the highest site relative to sea level. The limiting factor in these conditions of growth on infertile soils will be the moisture availability of the site.