Age changes of birch stands on the permanent sample plots of the Kologrivsky Forest Nature Reserve

Abstract

The actual patterns of forest stand dynamics can be revealed only if observational data on permanent sample plots are available. The aim of the study is to identify the characteristics of the age changes of stand indicators in permanent birch sampleplots of the Kologrivsky Forest Nature Reserve (Kostroma Region). The object of the study was forest stands in birch stands located in the core of the Kologrivsky Forest Nature Reserve. At present they are represented by mature and over-mature birch stands with the predominance of spruce undergrowth in narrow clearings of 1928 with a width of 100‑150 m. In the permanent sample plots trees were counted according to individual forest elements with the distribution of 4 cm in thickness steps. For 20‑25 trees, heights were measured in the range of varying diameters with further graphical alignment of the values. The stock was calculated using stem volume tables, and the biomass of the stand fractions was calculated using allometric equations. An analysis of the age changes of stand indicators (average height and diameter, number of trees, basal area, stock, biomass fractions, carbon content in biomass) for the period from 1981‑1983 to 2018‑2022 was carried out. In the sample plots considered, the dominant forest element in each age interval is birch. At present, however, the forest stands are approaching the stage of initial decay. Instead of pure birch stands, mixed spruce-linden stands will develop in the future. Comparing the changes of the stand indicators on the plots with a model of the growth of birch stands in the sorrel spruce forest type, it was found that the changes of the average heights of the actual stands are synchronous with the curve obtained from the model, while for other indicators there are significant discrepancies.