With the support of the Amur Tiger Center, two tons of Pinus koraiensis seeds were sown in the nursery of the Primorskaya State Academy of Agriculture (hereinafter - PGSA). Sprouting seedlings will be used to restore the forests in the area of the Amur tiger.
As a result of logging and fires, the area of coniferous and deciduous forests in the Primorsky Krai in the XX century decreased almost twice. Forests with the dominance of Pinus koraiensis and fir leaves were replaced by low-value oak-birch stands with a low level of biological diversity. Meanwhile, cedar-broadleaved forests are the most favorable for the habitat of the Amur tiger. It is possible to return to the predator its previous habitats, including by artificial reforestation - planting conifer seedlings under the canopy of low-value plantings. That is why the Amur Tiger Center since 2014 has been assisting PGSA in growing planting material in a forest nursery.
“Pinus koraiensis, along with Quércus, is a decisive tree species that provides a high number of feed facilities of the Amur tiger. Pinus koraiensis seeds are eaten willingly by the boar, allowing them to accumulate a sufficient supply of nutrients in the fall and maintain it in the winter, which helps them to survive the harsh conditions of mnogosnezhya. – comments Sergey Aramilev - The process of artificial reforestation is quite lengthy and complex, first you need to grow a seedling in a special nursery, then plant it under the forest canopy, and then take care of it, doing special work on lightening and thinning, and only after 20-25 years at best will begin the first fruiting. In this case, all the work in one moment can destroy a forest fire. Of course, for a full-scale reforestation of the tiger's habitat, it takes decades, millions of seedlings and billions of rubles. Nevertheless, even insignificant plantations play an enormous preventive role in preventing forest fires and promoting respect for the forest, because by planting a tree, a person will not pass by an unfulfilled fire.”
In 2014, the Amur tiger Centre was purchased 4 tons of seeds of Pinus koraiensis. In the winter half of this volume was specially prepared and early may 2015 sown in a forest nursery. The remaining 2 tons will be seeded in the spring of 2016. The work involved the students of the Institute of forest and forestry, as well as pupils – winners of the Forest of the Olympic games, traditionally held in Primorsky Krai.
The involvement of students in environmental activities – is important strategic task not only for PGSA, but also for public organizations.
“At present, our university fully provides on its forest plot of 29 thousand hectares the implementation of all measures for the protection, protection of forests and reforestation. This requires a large financial investment. However, we understand that without practical exercises directly in the forest, without the use of modern equipment and technologies, it is impossible to prepare personnel for forestry and hunting. It is very important that here we have like-minded people in the face of public non-non-commercial organizations such as the Amur Tiger Center”, said the Rector of the Primorskaya State Academy of Agriculture Andrew Comin.
By 2018, it is planned to receive at least 200 thousand Pinus koraiensis seedlings of standard sizes. In the framework of joint projects of the Amur Tiger Center and PGSA the seedlings obtained will be used to restore coniferous-deciduous forests in the Primorsky Krai.