Unique boreal forests of European Russia

Smirnova, O.V.; Braslavskaya, T.Y.; Aleynikov, A.A.; Korotkov, V.N.

Авторы: Smirnova O.V., Braslavskaya T.Yu, Aleynikov A.A., Korotkov V.N.
Сборник: Book of abstracts. Cool forests at risk? The Critical Role of Boreal and Mountain Ecosystems for People, Bioeconomy, and Climate. 17–20 September 2018, IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria
Тезисы
Год издания: 2018
Место издания: IIASA Laxenburg, Austria
Первая страница: 38
Последняя страница: 39
Аннотация: The northern (taiga) forests of Russia have preserved the integrity of their cover to the greatest degree; however, most forests by now have lost their primary structure, soil richness, and biological diversity due to clear felling, fires, and other anthropogenic impacts. Therefore, searches for and research on unique areas of forest cover that have preserved a pre-anthropogenic structure and taxonomic composition are of great importance for deeper understanding of the principles of natural self-regulation and the stability of taiga ecosystems. Detailed studies of forest vegetation, soils, and the ontogenetic structure of tree populations have been conducted in the large intact areas of the northern taiga of European Russia. Together with green moss spruce(-fir) forests (association Linnaeo borealis-Piceetum abietis Caj., 1921) investigated in detail in this zone, a unique type of boreal tall herb forest dominated by Picea spp. and Abies sibirica and tall herb spruce-fir forests with Pinus sibirica (association Aconito septentrionalis-Piceetum obovatae; Zaugolnova et al., 2009) was distinguished and described. Dotted maps of distribution of boreal tall herb forests and areas of tall herb species have been compiled on the basis of field studies and the analysis of herbarium collections. Historical and archival data on the types of nature management in the north taiga forests, as well as paleontological data on the taxonomic composition of paleo-ecosystems in the studied areas, were summarised to identify the root causes of the differences in green moss and tall herb types of boreal forests. A comparison of the two types showed that old-growth tall herb forests have a full set of features characterising long-existing and self-sustaining forests. Tall herb forests are characterised by clearly expressed gap-mosaics, full-scale ontogenetic spectra of tree populations, treefall pit-and-mound topography, high soil fertility, high species richness and species density, and a significant variety of functional groups of vascular plants and mosses. Analysis of the obtained data in combination with paleontological and historical data made it possible to conclude that (1) boreal tall herb forests were spread over a significant part of European Russia and Western Siberia in prehistoric times, and 2) widespread modern green moss forests are secondary and formed as a result of anthropogenic fires and felling. The obtained data on the composition, structure, and distribution of boreal tall herb forests allow us to consider them as an etalon of prehistoric taiga forests. Focus of Research The main tasks of modern nature management are a re-orientation to conservation and restoration of ecosystem functions of the biosphere. The remaining forests of Northern Eurasia play a huge role in maintaining a stable climate, hydrological regime, and cycle of biogenic elements. Key Challenges Reduction of the area of intact forest landscapes as a result of logging and anthropogenically initiated fires Suggestion to Address these Challenges Great importance is given to in-depth studies of fragments of tall herb forests still preserved within North Eurasia. Such studies will make it possible to propose forest management systems aimed at restoring the potential biological diversity of taiga forests.
Добавил в систему: Коротков Владимир Николаевич

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