Net Ecosystem Production of Boreal Larch Ecosystems on the Yenisei Transect

Abstract

The study was carried out in the Turukhansk Research Station of Yenisei Transect (65°46′N, 89°25′E). Larch (Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr.) is the dominant overstory tree species. The research has been conducted on four permanent test plots in same-age mature (110-year old) and overmature (380-year old) post-fire larch stands of green moss and lichen groups of forest type. Carbon cycle parameters were assessed based on a biometric method. Quantitative analysis of carbon pools and fluxes shows that net ecosystem production of north taiga larch stands averages 32% of net primary production. Sink of atmospheric CO2 makes 1.22 and 0.74 t C ha− 1 year− 1 for mature and overmature green moss larch stands, and 0.65 and 0.35 t C ha− 1 year− 1 for lichen type. Net carbon sink in the tree layer make up 9% of net primary production carbon, ground vegetation – 15%, and dead plant residues accumulation – 8% of atmospheric carbon uptake via photosynthesis.