Pioneer species are trees and large shrubs thatare the first to populate disturbed territories, fix the soil, create shade, accumulate organic matter and prepare the conditions for the emergence of long-lived forest-forming species.
Priority
Tree
Growth rate
Main functions
Optimal zone
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Willow (Salix spp.)
Very high
Strengthening of banks, ravines and slopes, protection from erosion
Springs, streams, floodplains
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Alder (Alnus spp.)
Very high
Nitrogen fixation, rapid restoration of poor soils
Springs, floodplains, wet slopes
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Birch (Betula spp.)
Very high
Settlement of open spaces, formation of humus
Upper and middle slopes
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Aspen (Populus tremula)
Very high
Rapid forest restoration, undergrowth formation, mushroom development
Middle slopes
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Poplar (Populus spp.)
Very high
Rapid consolidation of floodplains and river valleys
Floodplains, river mouths
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Larch (Larix spp.)
High
Development of rocky slopes, protection from erosion
Upper slopes
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
High
Development of poor sandy and rocky soils
Upper and dry slopes
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Black pine (Pinus nigra)
High
Securing dry slopes, drought resistance
Southern slopes
⭐⭐⭐
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
Average
Population of forest edges, food for birds
Upper and middle slopes
⭐⭐⭐
Cherry (Prunus padus)
Average
Quick greening of damp places, support for insects
Floodplains, streams
⭐⭐⭐
Juniper (Juniperus spp.)
Slow-medium
Fixing rocky slopes, protecting soil
Upper slopes
Pioneer shrubs
Priority
Bush
Main function
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sea buckthorn
Nitrogen fixation, slope stabilization
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hazelnut
Rapid formation of undergrowth
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Elderberry
Rapid accumulation of organic matter
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Viburnum
Slope stabilization and bird food
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Shrub willows
Strengthening of banks and ravines
⭐⭐⭐
Honeysuckle
Rapid colonization of forest edges
⭐⭐⭐
Rose hip
Soil protection and food supply
⭐⭐⭐
Hawthorn
Creation of protective thickets
Specialization of pioneer breeds
Group
Main types
The main task
Restoration of the coast
Willow, alder, poplar
Rapid consolidation of riverbeds and floodplains
Development of poor soils
Birch, pine, larch
The beginning of forest formation
Nitrogen fixation
Alder, sea buckthorn
Soil enrichment
Quick shadow creation
Aspen, poplar
Improving the microclimate and reducing overheating
Rocky slopes
Larch, pine, juniper
Slope stabilization and erosion protection
Stages of DREVO restoration
Stage
Main breeds
0–5 years
Willow, alder, birch, sea buckthorn, poplar
5–15 years
Aspen, larch, pine, rowan, hazel
15–30 years old
Maple, linden, ash and elm begin to dominate
30–80 years
A mature mixed forest with beech, oak, fir and other long-lived species is formed
The TREVO Principle Pioneer Forest
Pioneer speciesare not the ultimate goalTheir task is to restore the disturbed area as quickly as possible and prepare the conditions for a long-lived, multi-layered forest. As the ecosystem develops, some pioneer trees naturally give way to more shade-tolerant and long-lived species, while others remain as an important element of biodiversity and a constant source of dead wood, animal shelter, and organic matter.