SURVIVAL OF SCOTTS PINE (PINUS SYLVESTRIS L.) DURING COMPENSATORY FOREST RESTORATION IN THE CONDITIONS OF A GORNYI ULUS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SAKHA (YAKUTIA)

The forests of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) perform vital ecological and resource functions. Large-scale forest fires in 2021–2023 resulted in significant loss of forest cover, highlighting the need for compensatory reforestation. Given the sharply continental climate of Central Yakutia, continuous permafrost, and frequent droughts, natural reforestation is slow, requiring adapted artificial and combined reforestation technologies. The objective of this study is to assess the survival rate of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) during compensatory reforestation in burned areas of the Gorny District of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). The results of a study on the survival rate of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest plantations during compensatory reforestation in burned areas of the Gorny District of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) are presented. The paper describes the regulatory framework for compensatory reforestation, the natural and climatic conditions of the study area, and the technology for planting closed-root forest crops in permafrost conditions. One year after planting, the average seedling survival rate was approximately 78%, a high figure for Central Yakutia. The scientific novelty lies in the comprehensive assessment of the climatic, soil, and biotic factors determining survival, as well as the practical testing of strip soil preparation and the use of closed-root seedlings. The practical significance lies in the recommendations for improving the effectiveness of reforestation in burned areas in the region. The average survival rate was 78.1% across the study sites, with the highest pine survival rate observed in larch-lingonberry-true moss forest types. The following are recommended: early spring planting with sufficient moisture, limited mulching and spot watering during drought, regular maintenance (weeding/mowing) for 2–3 years, protection from grazing, and supplementary crops in the 3rd year in areas with low survival rates.