This paper presents an analysis of achievements and the current state of one of the main trends of forest typological studies in the Russian Federation, namely, the genetic approach to the classification of forest types. The theoretical foundations of genetic typologies developed by the founders of this approach are described. The paper explains the relationship between the concepts of the forest-forming process and forest types. Also, a detailed description of the concept of forest-forming epochs according to the degree and depth of human impact on forests, as well as the forms and technical means of this impact, with examples of the practical use of genetic typologies in forest engineering and management are included. The paper provides an analysis of the main directions of development and improvement of genetic typologies, considering human-induced impacts at different levels and strengths, climate change, and the use of new technologies to reveal the potential of the genetic approach to the classification of forest types.

Keywords: forest typology, genetic approach, current state, prospects