On the issue of degradation of oak forests in the Central forest-steppe of the european part of the Russian Federation

The article deals with the problem of accelerated dying of oak forests. Despite the insignificant share in the forest fund of the Russian Federation, oak forests are an ecosystem that plays a huge protective role in forest-steppe and steppe zones. The problem of oak forest degradation is not new. This issue has been studied for the third century. A theory of broad multifactorial degradation of oak forests has been formed, taking into account the variety of negative factors affecting the forest environment. It is customary to distinguish three main groups of factors affecting oak ecosystems: abiotic, biotic and anthropogenic. Fungal diseases of the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) are the primary factor characterizing the sanitary condition of oak forests. More than half of the oak forests have a growth origin of several generations. Their destructive use has led to the depletion of the gene pool and a reduction in the area occupied by oak. Correcting the current situation and improving the condition of oak forests is the most important task facing scientists and practitioners of forestry.