Abstract
Two peaceful underground nuclear explosions conducted in the middle of 1970-s in theMiddle Siberia were followed by accidental release of radionuclides into the atmosphere. Thecondition of vegetation within the impacted area was examined in 2002. The study showedthat norn1alization of radioactive situation and recovery of damaged vegetation did not happenduring this period. Radioactive contamination resulted in either total or partial elimination ofthe vegetation. Four zones according to the degree of disturbance were distinguished. Patternsof recovery are shown: some local shrubs are the most active colonizers, whereas reestablishing of larches occurs very slowly. Low rates of recovery can be explained by ratherbad natural condition for reproduction of larch, by presence of dead lichen cover whichprevents gern1ination of seeds and possibly low microbial and fungal activity caused byradiation, Removal of heavily contaminated forest litter and sawing of local grasses and herbsmay accelerate the rate of vegetation recovery.
Highlights
Accidents followed by the radioactive releases may stipulate severe and long-term changes in the ecosystems adjacent to such locations
Its consequences are studied in detail and gave information about the effects of radiation on ecosystems in the moderate climate zone [ I l The effects of radiation on Arctic ecosystems is less documented, our data obtained in the Arctic East Siberia where larch forest was killed by accidental atmospheric release of radioactivity can contribute to studying this problem, Twelve peaceful underground nuclear explosions were conducted in different districts of Yakutia (Middle Siberia) in the period from 1974 till 1978
Effect of radioactive contamination manifested itself in either total or partial elimination of the vegetation
Summary
Accidents followed by the radioactive releases may stipulate severe and long-term changes in the ecosystems adjacent to such locations. Such catastrophic event as Chernobyl accident (1986) is well-known throughout the world. Cm Living trees in the background communities are usually 20-40 years younger than trees of the same height at the contaminated area. The reason for little amount of seedlings and saplings of larches may be low seed production and low viability of seeds Another reason for slow establishment of trees can be the presence of dead lichen cover in zones 2 and 3, which prevent the melting of top-soil and re-vegetation of these sites by other plants
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