On the models of primary forest restoration in the Russian North-West

Commercial loggings in 1940-1990 drastically changed most of the primary coniferous forests in Russian northern regions, especially, those which are close to populated localities and roads. Clearcuts significantly reduced silvicultural, economic and esthetic values of the forests due to failings in primary forest restoration. The forests emerged after clearcuts are formed mainly by birch and aspen, the share of spruce is very modest there. This paper attributes failures of spruce forest restoration to lack of viable spruce undergrowth and presents a database summarizing the results of field studies that provide an empirical ground for development of process-based models of spruce forest restoration.