SUMMARY “Phytosanitary Condition of tugai forests in Kazakhstan and measures for their conservation (on the example of the Ili River)” of the dissertation thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) on the specialty 6D080700 - Forest resources and Silviculture Kolesnichenko Yuliya Sergeyevna

Relevance of study. Modern tugai forests in Kazakhstan consist of trees, shrubs and grass communities, which grow in flood plains of such southern rivers as Syrdarya, Chu, Ili, Karatal, Lepsy, Aksu and Charyn. Their total area is about 400 thousand hectares, forest cover area of which is about 150 thousand hectares. Areas of these unique forest formations are constantly decreasing because of the regulation of river flows, water withdrawals for irrigation, often repeated fires, unsystematic felling, developments of pests and diseases foci and unregulated year-round cattle grazing. Reducing the area of tugai forests leads to the loss of valuable, rare and relict species of plants and animals, the whole complex of unique biocoenoses, which has a great value as a genetic fund. Also water protection, water regulating, and bank protection and melioration role of the tugai forests is reducing. As the result of this certain types of economic activity cease completely. In these conditions meaning of scientific research for the integrated study of the state of tugai forests, the development of measures and proposals for their restoration and conservation, as well as the rehabilitation of degraded areas in the floodplains are increasing. Objects of research –the tugai forests of the floodplain of the Ili River, insects - pests and pathogens of diseases, which have a big impact on the phytosanitary condition of these forests. The purpose of research – is to study the phytosanitary condition of tugai forests, growing on the floodplain of the Ili River in Kazakhstan. Methods of investigation. For determination the phytosanitary condition of the tugai forests the expedition forest pathological survey, including the reconnaissance and detailed inspection were conducted. At the study area it was used the routing method with laying temporary plots. We conducted the reconnaissance survey on the routes. Routes were laid on the territory of Kurty, Bakanas, Shelek State Forestry Enterprises (SFE), and in Charyn Staet Nature National Park (SNNP) in the territory of Charyn Ash Forest. In accordance with Sanitary Regulations of Republic of Kazakhstan on a scale we determined of forest pathological status of forests. The studies were conducted in 2013-2015. In 2013 there were observed areas of the upstream of the Ili River in Kurty and Bakanas SFE and along the lower basin of the Ili River in Shelek SFE. In Kurty and Bakanas SFE we selected areas with a predominance of Populus diversifolia Schrenk. In Shelek SFE studies were conducted in areas with a predominance of Populus pruinosa Schrenk. Also, studies were carried out in 2013 on the right bank of the Charyn River (Charyn SNNP), in the areas with Fraxinus sogdiana Bunge. In 2014, scientific works were carried out on the left bank of the Charyn River, where Elaeagnus angustifolia L. and Populus diversifolia grow. To establish the extent of disease in the tugai forests, we collected samples of damaged plant parts: leaves, branches, fruits and wood, according to the methods of Skvortsov. To identify the species composition of insects in different types of the tugai forests in the basin of Ili River we selected sites with predominance of the main tree species the tugai forests in the temporary plots. We installed window traps on trees at each site. We collected insects from the traps 2 weeks. Dividing collected insects to the orders we conducted in the laboratory of the Department of Entomology and Forest Protection at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague. Representatives of the order Coleoptera we shared by families. We sent divided by family level beetles to European entomologists for identification them to the species level. Among the identified species we selected those that are mass pests for the tugai forests. We made description of the biology of each species of pests. Identification of plant diseases was carried out in the laboratory of Mycology and Algology at the Institute of Botany in Almaty. The description of each of the identified species of plant diseases was made. Outcomes and their novelty. As a result of a reconnaissance survey the general phytosanitary condition of tugai forests is defined as satisfactory. We found no obvious foci of pests and diseases. Available pests and diseases cause significant damage tugai forests, but the human factor contributes mostly degradation of tugais. According to the results of detailed forest pathology survey the trees of almost all investigated species are weakened in the tugai forests. A gradual plant drying takes place, due to biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors. However, despite these factors there is a rich variety of entomological fauna in the tugai forests. After processing the field data there were identified insects, belonging to 12 orders: Odonata, Mantodea, Orthoptera, Dermaptera, Thysanoptera, Hemiptera, Raphidioptera, Neuroptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera and Coleoptera. The most number of insects were found on trees of Populus diversifolia. The lowest number of insects was found on Populus pruinosa, although its diversity also consists of 12 orders. The number of insects found in Fraxinus sogdiana and Elaeagnus angustifolia constitute mean values, and a variety of insects consists of 10 orders at ash and 11 – at Elaeagnus. It was identified representatives from 53 families of Coleoptera. Curculionidae family is the most numerous of all species of trees. For Populus diversifolia number of representatives was 1347 pcs., for Populus pruinosa – 540 pcs., for Fraxinus sogdiana – 513 pcs. and for Elaeagnus angustifolia – 273 pcs. For Fraxinus sogdiana families with the largest number of representatives were Elateridae, Anobiidae and Dermestidae. For Populus diversifolia most numerous families were Dermestidae, Melyridae and Chrysomelidae. For Populus pruinosa families with the largest number of representatives were Staphylinidae, Anobiidae, Dermestidae and Elateridae. And for Elaeagnus angustifolia with the most representatives were families Dermestidae, Cerambycidae and subfamily Scolytinae. Identification of main pest species of the tugai forest showed that insects from families Geometridae, Chrysomelidae, Buprestidae and Cerambycidae are the basis of harmful entomofauna in the tugai forests of the Ili River. Upon the detection of disease pathogens in the tugais Melampsora tremulae Tul is often observed. The disease epiphytoties in the tugai forests is also indicative of their weakened state. Peronosporales, Agaricales and Hymenomycetidae develop in the tugai biocenoses. The analysis of changes in pests and diseases showed that Chrysomelidae and Geometridae over 30 years damage tugai forests. Fungi which destroy wood cause substantial harm. The proposed measures for improvement, conservation and restoration of the tugai forests include integrated forest protection system that combines agrotechnical, biological and chemical methods. Advices on the usage of outputs. On the whole territory of the tugais the system of forest pathology monitoring is recommended. This system is based on the permanent sites for monitoring pest and disease development. Forest pathology monitoring is the basis for all forest protection measures. Field of application. Development and implementation of projects for the organization and management of forest pathology monitoring will enable for Forestry State Enterprises and Specially Protected Natural Areas greater use of an integrated system of protective measures and improve sanitary condition of the forests.