ИСТИНА

This work attempts to determine the effect that modern climatic changes in the northern parts of European Russia have on the forest stand, using sequences of linear pine growth which present a convenient tool to assess spacial variability in growth parameters of internode distances across short periods (up to 30 years). Linear tree-ring analysis data provide a means to distinguish between climate-related organism response and year-to-year growth variations, i.e. to achieve a certain low level of 'noise' masking the relationship in question. The investigation was carried out in raised bogs of Russian Northern protected areas. The analysis of data on the boreal forest stand response to climatic changes shows that apical growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) in raised bogs largely depends on year-to-year variations of temperature and precipitation. Of the meteorological parameters measured, the precipitation during the vegetation season of the previous year was shown to have the greatest effect on growth variations. Regularities such as this should be taken into account when determining and analysing trends in the status of forest ecosystems of the northern parts of European Russia in the context of the Earth climate changes. Understanding the role of climatic and cenotic factors in forming forest biogeocenoses is vital for successful development of the methodology needed to assess natural boreal ecosystems state.