Results of the study of the physical and mechanical properties of forest soils in the zone of Western Georgia subject to forest plantations

The article discusses the problems caused by the thinning of forests in the mountainous and forested regions of Georgia as a result of haphazard, selective logging and uncontrolled grazing over the years, which led to a decrease in the protective functions of forests, negative environmental changes, increased natural disasters, etc. It is as a result of these circumstances that the production and harvesting of wood in Georgia is very limited today. All this indicates that the use, restoration and further development of Georgia's forest resources require serious attention. There is an increasingly widespread view among domestic and foreign researchers and specialists that one of the main ways to reduce overexploitation, restore and renew, increase productivity and improve protective functions in mountain forests, where ecosystem stability is significantly disrupted by human activity, is to create artificial plantations of fast-growing tree species (where available favorable conditions). Based on the above-mentioned problem and the general interests of the country, the article provides relevant conclusions and practical measures, the solution of which is appropriate and useful from the point of view of strengthening the protective, resort and recreational functions of forests in Western Georgia. However, when creating forest crops and developing promising areas, first of all, it is necessary to conduct a detailed study and analysis of soil data in order to select plants appropriate to the location. Therefore, the article primarily examines the physico-mechanical properties and chemical composition of soils in agro-industrial zones of such regions of Western Georgia as Adjara, Guria, Samegrelo, Abkhazia, analyzes the state of the groundwater level and other relevant issues. An assortment of fast-growing, highly productive woody plants (mainly introduced exotics) suitable for these conditions has been introduced to create industrial plantations, restore and renew non-renewable, low-density mountain forests. Keywords: SILTY-MARSH SOILS, MEADOW-MARSH SOILS, CARBONATE SOILS, ALLUVIAL-DELUVIAL SOILS, YELLOW-EARTH SOILS, CLAY SOILS