Succession and restoration processes in the forests of Mongolia

This paper presents studies on the structural elements of biogeocenosis living ground cover vegetation for carbon cycle assessment. The ground cover is an extremely important component of forest ecosystems. Plants growing under the canopy of a forest actively participate in the production process: by assimilating carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, they create their biomass and for life remove carbon from circulation. The article carried out an assessment of carbon stocks in the living ground cover of forest ecosystems of oak and pine trees in the forest conditions of Voronezh region. The structure of the ground vegetation in oak (Quercus robur L.) and pine (Pinus silvestris L.) forests is shown to be quite specific. With the underground biomass stock exceeds the above-ground stock on all test sites laid in different plantations and conditions. The amount of carbon deposited by ground vegetation covers is 2.35 t ha-1 for moss in pine plantations and 3.80 t ha-1 for grass. Results show that the largest amount of living ground cover carbon stock in pine plantations is observed in April (32.24 t ha-1), and the smallest in May (13.15 t ha-1). The highest carbon values in oak plantations are found in underground biomass. The highest total carbon stock is in April (25.1 t ha-1) and the lowest in May (10.8 t ha-1).

Приведен анализ естественного возобновления лиственницы Гмелина ( Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Kuzen.) (Pinaceae) на землях, расположенных в зоне многолетней мерзлоты. Исследования проводили с целью выявления хода успешности лесовосстановления на территориях, подверженных пирогенному воздействию. Успех восстановления лиственничных лесов зависит от воздействия многих факторов, связанных с биологическими, климатическими, почвенными условиями, особенностями семеношения, созреванием семян, урожайными периодами, и другими факторами, в том числе лесоводственного характера. Исследования естественного возобновления древесных пород и дальнейшего формирования лесных насаждений проводили по методике пробных площадей, заложенных в древостоях, пройденных пожарами разной давности в Мазановском участковом лесничестве Амурской области. На землях лесного фонда, подвергавшихся пирогенному воздействию в разные годы, были заложены шесть пробных площадей (пп) прямоугольной формы. Для детального исследования на учетных площадках изучали молодое поколение деревьев по количественным показателям, проективному покрытию, размерным характеристикам, качественным признакам. Возобновление оценивали по региональной шкале применительно для Дальнего Востока. По результатам камеральной обработки отмечаются тенденции смены хвойной породы на лиственные на пп 1 и 2 в случае сохранения травяно-мохового покрова и лесной подстилки, а также при интенсивном вегетативном возобновлении лиственных пород. Сохранение доминанты за лиственницей Гмелина наблюдается при благоприятных почвенных условиях и урожайных годах до формирования живого напочвенного покрова на пп 3 и 5. Впервые для смешанных древостоев северного региона (на примере Мазановского участкового лесничества) было выявлено, что в результате многократного пожарного воздействия на лесные экосистемы существуют предпосылки формирования чистых лиственничных лесов с низким участием сопутствующих пород в зависимости от периода плодоношения главной хозяйственной породы - лиственницы Гмелина - и пирогенного воздействия на лесную подстилку. The article provides an analysis of the Gmelins’ larch ( Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Kuzen.) (Pinaceae) natural regeneration, which were studied on lands located in the permafrost zone. The study was carried out in order to identify the course of regeneration processes in areas subjected to pyrogenic effects from forest fires. The restoration of larch forests depends on many factors, the success of which is ensured by the favorable conditions that arise after their impact. This is due to biological, climatic, soil conditions, characteristics of seed production, their maturation, harvest periods, and other factors, including silvicultural conditions. According to the tasks of analysis and evaluation of the natural regeneration of tree species, and the further formation of forest stands, they were carried out according to the method of sample plots established in forest stands, passed by fires of different prescriptions in the Mazanovsky forestry district of Amur Oblast. Six sample plots of a rectangular shape were laid on the lands of the forest fund, subjected to pyrogenic effects in different years. For a detailed study on accounting sites, the young generation of trees was taken into account in terms of quantitative indicators, projective cover, size and qualitative characteristics. Regeneration was assessed on a regional scale for the Far East. According to the results of data processing, tendencies are noted to change from coniferous to deciduous species on sample plots 1 and 2 in the case of preservation of grass-moss cover and forest litter, as well as with intensive vegetative renewal of deciduous species. Preservation of the dominant for Gmelins’ larch is observed under favorable soil conditions and fruitful years before the formation of forest litter and living ground cover on sample plots 3 and 5. For the first time for mixed forest stands in the northern region of Amur Oblast (on the example of the Mazanovsky forestry district), it was revealed that as a result of repeated fire impact on forest ecosystems, there are prerequisites for the formation of pure larch forests with a low participation of associated species, depending on the period of fruiting of the main economic species - Gmelins’ larch and pyrogenic impact on the forest floor.

Albic podzols under pine forests are more prone to fires on the planet. The influence of fire extends to all soil components, including chemical properties, microbiological characteristics, and the composition and structure of soil organic matter, which persists for a long time. Here, we present the results of a study of the morphological, physicochemical, and microbiological properties and features of soil organic matter (SOM) in the albic podzols of pine forests (Pinus sylvestris L.) not exposed to fires for a long time (from 45 to 131 years). The study areas are characterized by different numbers of old fires (from four to five) that occurred over the previous several centuries in various territories of the Russian Federation such as Central Siberia (CS) and the European North (EN). In general, the albic podzols developing in CS and EN are characterized by similar morphological and physicochemical properties, with high acidity and poor mineral horizons. In terms of the lower vegetation layer and stand parameters, forest communities at the CS sites have a lower density and species diversity than those in EN. The ground cover is almost completely restored 45 years after the surface fire. The upper mineral horizon of albic podzols in EN contains higher PAHs in comparison with similar horizons of the CS sites. In the soil of EN pine forests, the MB content in the mineral horizons is, on average, three times higher than those in CS. Differences were also found in the qualitative composition of the studied soils’ microbiomes. The EN soil communities are represented by a wide variety of bacteria and fungi. The presented soil parameters can be used as a reference in assessing the increasing impact of fires on pine forests and podzols.

A survey is given about species composition of higher fungi in coniferous forest communities. Natural forest communities as weH as artificial forest stands are considered. Host range of mycorrhizal fungi, dependence of soil conditions (pH-value, nutrient content, moisture) and climate are discussed in detail. 1. Artificial spruce forests In comparison to natural Piceetum-communities the macromycetes flora of spruce plantation is reduced and varies within a wide range. It consists of frequent and ecologically unspecific species. The dominating fungal species are mostly acidophilic. A complied list of macromycetes species of spruce forests is given. It gives information about abundance, occurrence on different soil types, distribution in different altitudes and areas of Europe. Only some widespread litter decomposing and lignicolous fungi can abundantly be found in spruce plantations. The age of the forest stands distinctly influences the composition of fungal species and their abundance. Disturbances of forest stands caused by man change the natural macromycetes flora. The reduction of species in forest stands is directly dependent on the intensity of forestry management. After manuring with nitrogen or depositing chalk, the fungal flora is transformed by elimination of acidophilic species and by invasion of more neutrophilic fungi. 2. Fungi of natural Piceetum The fungal vegetation of natural spruce forests mainly consists of acidophilic macromycetes. Some neutrophilic species fructificate in Piceetum on chalkcontaining soil of deeply weathered limestone. A few species are exclusively distributed in the boreal or subalpine areas of Norway spruce (see list). Most macromycetes associated with Picea abies in natural Piceetum can also be found in spruce plantations in the lowlads. 3. Fungi in forest communities with silver fir Forest communities with silver fir, which grow in sites with good mineral sources and higher soil pH-values, have a characteristic macromycetes flora. Some of these macromycetes can also be associated with broadleaf trees (especially Fagussp.). In silver fir forests on acid soil, some acidophilic fungi commonly found in Picea-forest communities also occur. While soil inhabiting fungi of Abies are sensitive for climatical conditions. 4. Fungi in Pinus cembra — Larix decidua forests of central Alps Beside ectomycorrhizal species associated with Pinus cembra or Larix decidua, some other macromycetes, adapted to other species of the genus Pinus, can be found in these forest communities. Lists of characteristic species are given. The litter decomposing and soil-inhabiting Basidiomycetes mostly are unspecific, widespread, and common species of coniferous forests. 5. Fungi in pine forest communities Many ectomycorrhizal and saprophytical macromycetes living in pine forests are stenecously adapted to these forest communities. In may cases the ecological amplitude of Pinus sylvestris is broader than that of the associated fungi. Therefore, the fungal vegetation of certain pine forests characteristic species of several pine forest communities. Lists of important and characteristic species of several pine forest communities (pine forest on dunes, moor pine forests, Empertrum-Pinus-forests, Pinus sylvestris forests on chalky soil) are presented. The fungal species composition of pine plantations is discussed. In sandy (silicatic) pine forests a rich macromycetes flora thrives, but many pine forest associated fungi are strongly threatened. The decline of many macrofungi of pine forests on poor, acid soil is remarkable. But the fungal flora of all indigenous forest communities has to be protected. The problem is that in many cases the knowledge about composition of the fungi in forest communities is deficient. Many additional studies are necessary to elucidate the interactions between fungi and plants in forests communities.

Wild pollinators are becoming more valuable to global agriculture as the commercial honeybee industry is increasingly affected by disease and other stressors. Perennial tree crops are particularly reliant on insect pollination, and are often pollen limited. Research on how different tree crop production systems influence the richness and abundance of wild pollinators is, however, limited. We investigated, for the first time, the richness and abundance of potential wild pollinators in commercial temperate almond orchards in Australia, and compared them to potential pollinator communities in proximate native vegetation. We quantified ground cover variables at each site and assessed the value of ground cover on the richness and abundance of potential wild pollinators in commercial almond systems focussing on three common taxa: bees, wasps and flies. More insects were caught in orchards with living ground cover than in native vegetation or orchards without ground cover, although overall species richness was highest in native vegetation. Percent ground cover was positively associated with wasp richness and abundance, and native bee richness, but flies showed no association with ground cover. The strongest positive relationship was between native bee abundance and the richness of ground cover plants. Our results suggest that maintaining living ground cover within commercial almond orchards could provide habitat and resources for potential wild pollinators, particularly native bees. These insects have the potential to provide a valuable ecosystem service to pollinator-dependent crops such as almond.

Resource Division in an Understory Herb Community: Responses to Temporal and Microtopographic Gradients

We aimed to test the hypothesis that large-scale forest fire followed by illegal logging inhibits the regeneration of boreal forests in Mongolia. For this purpose, we compared regeneration of the forest between five stands in a large-scale post-fire site, i.e., (1) undisturbed stand in the unburnt and remaining forest, (2) stand disturbed by illegal logging in the unburnt and remaining forest, (3) stand disturbed by forest fire, (4) stand disturbed by forest fire followed by illegal logging and located in proximity to the remaining forest, which acts as a seed source, and (5) stand disturbed by forest fire followed by illegal logging and located far from the remaining forest, which acts as a seed source. The stand disturbed by logging showed similar species composition of regenerated individuals as the undisturbed stand. In the stand disturbed by logging, Picea obovata and Pinus sibirica were abundant because of advance regeneration on the intact forest floor. In the stand disturbed by forest fire and that disturbed by forest fire followed by illegal logging, Larix sibirica and Betula platyphylla were abundant, and the regenerated individuals of these two species were new individuals after the disturbances. L. sibirica was abundant in the stand disturbed by forest fire because the mother trees survived the forest fire because of their thick bark. B. platyphylla was abundant in the stand disturbed by forest fire followed by illegal logging because the mother trees of L. sibirica were logged and the seeds of B. platyphylla are able to disperse further than that of L. sibirica. However, in the stand disturbed by forest fire followed by illegal logging that was located far from the remaining forest, the regeneration was much reduced because only few seeds, including that of B. platyphylla, were dispersed into this stand and sprouts of B. platyphylla were damaged by the logging operation. In addition, the regeneration of L. sibirica and B. platyphylla was likely to have been reduced for several years after the forest fire because of the loss of safe sites for their invasion by the changes of the forest floor conditions. Therefore, it is likely that large-scale forest fires that are followed by illegal logging inhibit the regeneration in many parts of the post-fire site and those parts will change into open forests of B. platyphylla or grassland.

Сосновые (Pinus sylvestris) леса и редколесья Северо-Западного Приладожья

The dynamics of the understorey vegetation cover in anthropogenically transformed cenoses of common pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in the period 2017–2020 was studied. The studies were conducted in a diverse herbaceous group of forest types of natural origin in the Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe zone. The forest stands are characterized by I–IV classes of bonitet, density 0.5–0.9 and IV–VII class of age. Vegetation cover was studied at each monitoring site on 30 (1 m2) survey plots: species composition, projective cover, species occurrence, horizontal and vertical structure of phytocenosis. The intensity of change in species composition over a 4-year period was identified using the Serensen-Chekanovsky coefficient. Species diversity was assessed using Shannon index, recreational transformation of living ground cover – synanthropization index. Based on the results of the study, the species composition of the undergrowth and living ground cover was determined, and the features of its change in the period 2017–2020 were described. Based on the analysis of changes in species diversity, composition and projective cover of dominants and co-dominants, quantitative ratio of ecological and cenotic groups, the stages of recreational transformation of the ground cover were determined. As a result of the increased recreational load, the stage of recreational transformation of the vegetation cover changed: in sample area 1 from undisturbed to the 1st (initial) phase I stage (weak transformation), in sample area 3 – from the 1st to the 2nd (final) phase I stage. Due to the absence of anthropogenic influence, the undisturbed vegetation cover was preserved in sample area 4, whereas in sample areas 2 and 5, due to the constant recreational load, the 2nd phase I stage of vegetation cover transformation observed in 2017 remained. To reduce the impact on the lower tiers of vegetation under the canopy of pine plantations (sample areas 1–3) and to preserve its species diversity, it is possible to recommend the arrangement of a specific road-trail network. For citation: Goncharova I.A., Skripalschikova L.N., Barchenkov A.P. Dynamics of Understory Vegetation Cover in Anthropogenically Disturbed Pine Cenoses of Krasnoyarsk Forest-Steppe. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 6, pp. 204–214. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-6-204-214

Лесоэкологические последствия ландшафтных пожаров в Забайкалье

In the Crimean mountains, the forest is of exceptional ecological, scientific, aesthetic value. The studies conducted on the territory of the largest nature reserve Crimea – Crimean reserve, located in the southern mountainous part of the Republic of Crimea. The study of the influence of fires in pine forest these conditions, is with the aim of preservation of the unique plantings nature reserve and the development of new measures of fire forest, their negative consequences. In the objectives of the research included the identification and assessment of factors, influencing the rise of fire forest in mountain pine forest of Crimea, the analysis of the dynamics of the quantity and intensity of fires in different forest conditions, analysis subsequent changes in pine forest in terms of the protected area. Research methodology provides analysis of climatic, forest conditions of the enterprise and the establishment of subsequent changes, the study of species and age structure of forest, taxation characteristics of plantations. To accomplish the tasks laid 4 sample area, and selected 4 areas passed a forest fire for visual analysis. Based on the study established, territory of the nature reserve susceptible to forest fires throughout the all year. The pine forest, presents the main species Pinus pallasiana and Pinus silvestris, subject to strong changes, even after lower forest fires. Complete destruction from any fire subject plantations Juniperus hemisphaerica on the lower tableland mountain of Chatyr-Dag. The absolute majority of forest fires caused by people. The results of these studies are introduced in the work of the enterprise.

Mongolia’s first Multipurpose National Forest Inventory, 2014-2017, was implemented by the Forest Research and Development Centre, in collaboration with international expertise and the country’s main forestry institutions, universities and research organisations.The long-term objective of the multipurpose NFI is to promote sustainable management of forestry resources in Mongolia, to enhance their social, economic and environmental functions.The NFI findings show that there are 11.3 million hectares of Boreal Forest in Mongolia. 9.5 million hectares are Stocked Boreal Forest Area, of which 69 percent is located outside of protected areas, 4 percent are designated for green-wood utilisation through forest enterprise concessions, and another 16 percent designated for fallen dead-wood collection through forest user group concessions. The non-protected stocked forests (i.e. production forest) have an average growing stock volume of 115 m3 per hectare, compared with an optimal growing stock volume of 237 m3 per hectare, and there is an additional 46.5 m3 of dead wood per hectare. The growing stock age distribution shows that 24 m3 per hectare are over 200 years (i.e. economically over-aged). The main tree species in stocked forest are Larix sibirica (81%), Pinus sibirica (7%), Betula platyphylla (6%) and Pinus sylvestris (5%), of which all, except for P. sibirica, are classified as legally harvestable tree species. Wild fire is the current main environmental factor decreasing the forest tree biomass.The NFI helped identifying priority areas for the forestry sector, and to guide the implementation of sustainable forest management at the local level. The main forest management challenges of Mongolia’s boreal forest will be to address that they are a) under-stocked (less than 50% of production potential), b) over-aged (31% of growing stock volume in stocked production forest is above optimal production age), and c) under-utilised (4% of forest area designated to green-wood utilisation).

Forests with predominance of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) within the hemiboreal zone are considered as secondary communities formed under long-term human activity (logging, plowing, fires and silviculture). This study raises the question—how stable is current state of coniferous forests on the southern border of their natural distribution in the center of Eastern Europe using the example of the Moscow region (MR)? The object of the study are spruce and pine forests in different periods of Soviet and post-Soviet history within the Moscow Region (MR). The current proportion of spruce forests is 21.7%, and the proportion of pine forests is 18.5% from total forest area according to our estimates. The direction and rate of forest succession were analyzed based on current composition of populations of the main forest-forming species (spruce, pine, birch, aspen, oak, linden, and ash) based on ground-based research materials collected in 2006–2019. This allowed to develop the dynamic model (DM) of forest communities with the participation of Norway spruce and Scots pine for several decades. Assessment of the spatial distribution of coniferous communities is based on field data and spatial modeling using remote sensing data—Landsat 8 mosaic for 2020. In parallel, a retrospective model (RM) of the spatial-temporal organization of spruce and pine forests for a 30-year period was developed using two Landsat 5 mosaics. For this, nine different algorithms were tested and the best one for this task was found—random forest. Geobotanical relevés were used as a training sample combined with the 2006–2012 mosaic; the obtained spectral signatures were used for modeling based on the 1984–1990 mosaic. Thus, two multi-temporal spatial models of coniferous formations have been developed. Detailed analysis of the structure of spruce and pine forests based on field data made it possible to track trends of successional dynamics for the first time, considering the origin of communities and the ecological conditions of habitats. As a result, ideas about the viability of spruce and pine cenopopulations in different types of communities were formulated, which made possible to develop a dynamic model (DM) of changes in forest communities for future. Comparison of the areas and nature of changes in the spatial structure of coniferous formations made possible to develop the RM. Comparison of two different-time models of succession dynamics (DM and RM) makes possible to correct the main trends in the transformation of coniferous forests of natural and artificial origin under the existing regime of forestry. A set of features was identified that indicates risk factors for coniferous forests in the region. A further decrease of the spruce and pine plantations and increase of the spruce-small-leaved and deciduous formations are expected in the study area. The proportion of pine-spruce forests does not exceed 3% of the area and can be considered as the most vulnerable type of forest.

Зміни клімату, землекористування та зростання відвідуваності лісів населенням зумовили суттєве загострення проблеми охорони лісів від пожеж, зокрема на заповідних та суміжних територіях. Транскордонна Рамсарська територія «Ольмани-Переброди», в яку входить Рівненський природний заповідник, характеризується високим рівнем ландшафтного та біологічного різноманіття за рахунок видів птахів, тварин і рослин, які знаходяться під загрозою зникнення, тому задача охорони таких територій від пожеж є однією з пріоритетних. Зважаючи на те, що в останні роки на території України почастішали випадки великих лісових пожеж, слід бути готовим до можливих випадків таких пожеж і на території Рівненського природного заповідника, до якого входить українська частина Транскордонної Рамсарської території. У статті наводиться аналіз динаміки пожеж, які відбулися в природних ландшафтах Транскордонної Рамсарської території «Ольмани-Переброди» упродовж 2006–2016 рр., на основі даних дистанційного зондування Землі. Отримані результати щодо часового та просторового розподілу пожеж на досліджуваній території за багаторічний період дозволять у майбутньому спрогнозувати ймовірність виникнення та поширення пожеж.

Functional diversity of soil microbial communities under Scots pine, Norway spruce, silver birch and mixed boreal forests