Determination of population structure of coniferous species in the South Urals, identification of populations as well as estimation of their phenotypic and genetic potential allowed to use a population approach to the problem of gene pool preservation of some coniferous forest-forming species in the region (Putenikhin, 2000; Putenikhin et al., 2004, 2005).

In 1989 seven genetic reserves on the area of 4572 ha were established in populations of Sukachev larch (Larix sukaczewii Dyl.) at the territory of Bashkortostan Republic. In 2000 an additional reserve was organized, thus the total area of larch reserves reached 5335 ha. The main attention was paid to a set of larch locations within “High-mountain population” characterizing by high polymorphism, adaptivity and preferable evolutionary perspectives. High-mountain larch forests have significant soil-protecting, water- and climate-regulating importance for the South Urals and adjacent territories. Larch stands with Site Index of III-IV diverse in forest-typological respect were included in the composition of genetic reserves at Iremel-Avalyak mountain massive (“Iremel reserve”), the Northern and the Southern Kraka ridges (“Uzyan”) and the mountain of Bolshoi Shatak (“Tukan”). Within the limits of “Central south-uralian population” reserves were established at the territory of Urgun forest in the Bashkir Cis-Urals (“Uchaly”) and in the system of wide longitudinal ridge of Ural-tau (“Belortsk” and Tirlyan”). “Zilair” reserve includes a larch location within “Marginal uralian population” (the southern part of Zilair plateau at the boundary with forest-steppe).

In 1995-2000 thirteen reserves were organized in pine and spruce forests of Bashkortostan Republic on the total area of 10088 ha. In large “Mountain south-uralian population” of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) with the highest phenotypic and genetic variability, nine reserves were established in all main subpopulations such as pine forests of the central part of the South Urals (“Avzyan”, “Beloretsk”, “Burzyan”, “Tirlyan” reserves) and Zilair plateau (“Zilair”, “Kananikolsk”), isolated cis-uralian (“Belokatai”, “Duvan”) and trans-uralian (“Uchaly”) forests. The gene pool of “Plain-plateau population” of Scots pine is characterized by combination of rather high intrapopulation diversity and productivity of stands. Here two genetic reserves (“Dyurtyuli”, “Krasnokamsk”) were established in the riparian pine forests. Within disjunctive and weakly polymorphic “Western cis-uralian population” one reserve (“Bakaly”) was set up.

The peculiarities of population structure of Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.) testify to a necessity of activation of measures on spruce gene pool preservation in the region. Especially it concerns the unique spruce-fir-broadleaved forests in the limits of “Plateau-piedmont population” which has the largest area, high level of intrapopulation variability and significant portion of introgressive-hybrid forms in its composition. Preliminary it was planned to organize here one reserve (“Duvan”, it is not stated officially). In “Plain-upland population” of spruce one reserve (“Kaltasy”) was established. The net of genetic reserves and other protected territories in spruce populations in Bashkortostan should be significantly enlarged in future.

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition