DYNAMICS OF THE STATE OF VEGETATION COVER IN THE VORONEZH UPLAND OAK FOREST

On the territory of the Voronezh upland oak forest, the floristic composition and abundance of dominant species were determined. The species richness is only 46 plant species, which is due to the strong shading of herbaceous plants in areas where tree species grow. It has been established that in the territory of the Voronezh upland oak forest the edificator pedunculate oak is replaced by subdominants of the tree layer. In a significant part of this territory, the tree layer consists of coppice oak individuals with a weak root system that cannot support the heavy trunk and crown during strong gusts of wind. Under these conditions, trees with competitive-tolerant strategies gain an advantage: Acer platanoides and Tilia cordata, which over time will dominate the composition of the forest stand.