Gospodarka leśna w warunkach skażenia radioaktywnego

Nearly 3.5 million hectares of forest were contaminated by radioactive effluents from the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Pinus sylvestris L. is the species most sensitive to radiation. Pine wood showed the lowest levels of potential 137Cs activity, while in assimilatory apparatus and bark such activity was highest. Among the non−wood products, mushrooms, berries, medicinal plants and venison that feature the highest ability to accumulate radioactive elements. Partial cuts ensure canopy closure of stands and reduce the vertical and horizontal radionucleide migration. Afforestation is one of the main land reclamation methods applied in contaminated areas. Mechanical planting with limited tending of plantations is used most often there. In cutting areas with a radioactivity level dangerous to carry out regeneration operations, natural regeneration is used exclusively.