Vaccinium Uliginosum Research Articles

Biogeochemical peculiarities of accumulation of chemical elements by plants of the Svydovets Massif of the Ukrainian Carpathians


 
 
 he objective of the paper was determining biogeochemical peculiarities of ac- cumulation of chemical elements (Mn, Ni, Сo, V, Cr, Zr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ba, P) by wild-grow- ing shrubs (stems and leaves) – bog bilberry (Vaccіnium uliginоsum), European blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), alpine juniper (J. communis subsp. alpina); perennial herbaceous plants (flowers and leaves) – common tormentil (Potentіlla erecta (L.) Hampe), willow gentian (Gentiana asclepiadea), true sedges (Carex); and trees (needles) of European silver fir (Abies alba) on nine plots in the Svy- dovets Massif of the Ukrainian Carpathians. The results we obtained based on field surveys (selection of samples of soil and vegeta- tion) and interpretation of their analysis allowed us to determine the total regional background of chemical elements in soils and ash of plants using emission spectral analysis. We assessed the total concentration of chemical elements in soils of the plots (least to highest): the Apshynets Ridge – the Herashaska Polonyna – Drahobratske Lake – the Svydovets stream – Apshynets Lake – Herashaske Lake – the Zhuravlyne Bog – Vorozheske Lake (group of small lakes) – Vorozheske Lake (large) and determined the dependence on type of soil and pH. We determined that for wild-growing herbaceous plants the biogeochemical activity of species increases in the following sequence: true sedges - willow gentian - common tormentil; for wild-growing shrubs (bog bilberry, European blueberry, alpine juniper) such a sequence is impossible to determine due to the great difference between the values on different plots. We determined the role of each plant as medicinal for treating microelement deficiency in Cu, Zn, Co. We determined that in the plot of the Herashaska Polonyna, the needles of alpine juniper contain a maximum amount of Zn and Co, the needles and leaves of bog bilberry – Cu, Zn, Co; the flowers and leaves of common tormentil by Apshynets Lake and European silver fir near the area of the Svydovets stream – Cu. We calculated the daily dose of each element according to species of plants to overcome microelementosis. The results of biogeochemical surveys may be the basis for determining and recommending plants as medicinal, and also of geochemical and biogeochemical monitoring studies.
 
 

Purification and antibacterial properties of a novel bacteriocin against Escherichia coli from Bacillus subtilis isolated from blueberry ferments

The novel bacteriocin JS17 was obtained from Bacillus subtilis JSX-5, isolated from blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) ferments. JS17 was purified by ÄKTA Purifier, semi-preparative reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography, and nano liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, in succession. Its molecular mass was 652.37 Da and its amino acid sequence was identified as L-F-R-A-F. A homology BLAST search confirmed JS17 as a novel bacteriocin. JS17 was found to have an extensive antibacterial activity spectrum against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. JS17 showed heat tolerance, and it was highly stable over pH 2–10 and was sensitive to proteinase K and pepsin. This indicates that JS17 exhibits protein properties and has application potential under high temperature and acid-base conditions. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericide concentration of JS17 against Escherichia coli were 10.56 μg/mL and 22.03 μg/mL, respectively, which is lower than that of most previously described bacteriocins. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy showed that JS17 bactericidally destroyed the cell membrane integrity of E. coli, resulting in cell dissolution and impaired membrane permeability. This study first purified B. subtilis bacteriocin from fruit ferments, suggesting the potential for using JS17 as a food bio-preservative.

Трансформаційні процеси в альпійських фітоценозах Українських Карпат за умов заповідання та кліматичних змін

Typycal alpine phytocoenoses of Ukrainian Carpathians with dominant species Festuca supina, Carex curvula, Juncus trifidus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Rhododendron myrtifolium, Sesleria coerulens and open chionophilous communities were investigated. As a result of comparative studies during 1982–2021, among alpine phytocoenoses, the smallest changes in the structure, abundance and coenose-forming positions of species were found in communities dominated by Juncus trifidus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Rhododendron myrtifolium and Sesleria coerulans, in particular in the Juncetum cetrario-myrtillosum, Uliginetum cetrariosum, Rhodoretum calamagrostiosum and Seslerietum cariceto-festucosum communities. During the same period in communities with dominant Festuca supina and Carex curvula, the position of the dominants decreased significantly. The Festuca supina-communities undergo desintegration and replacement by other phytocoenoses with dominance Juniperus alpinа, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea, V. uliginosum and Calamagrostis villosum. Over the last decade, radical changes have taken place in Carex curvula-communities. In contrast to the decisive influence of postpastoral demutation processes on the degradation of Festuca supina-communities, changes in the phytocoenoses of Carex curvula are prima­rily climatogenically caused. It is established that in the alpine zone Festuca supina-communities do not belong to the indigenous primary phytocoenoses, but are secondary pastorally conditioned derivative succession stages of primary communities of other associations. Rapid positive dynamics over the last ten years of such mesochionophilous species as Veronica alpina, Gnaphalium supinum, Soldanella hungarica, Luzula spadicea and, at the same time, negative changes in populations of obligate chionophiles Cerastium cerastoides and Saxifraga carpatica indicate transformation processes within the communities connected to the areas under long and deep snow cover. These processes indicate rapid successional changes under the influence of increa­sing vegetation period due to the reduction of the duration of snow cover in the territory of chionophilous phytocoenoses, which is due to modern climate changes, primarily warming.

Soil Disturbance Affects Plant Productivity via Soil Microbial Community Shifts.

Recent advances in climate research have discovered that permafrost is particularly vulnerable to the changes occurring in the atmosphere and climate, especially in Alaska where 85% of the land is underlain by mostly discontinuous permafrost. As permafrost thaws, research has shown that natural and anthropogenic soil disturbance causes microbial communities to undergo shifts in membership composition and biomass, as well as in functional diversity. Boreal forests are home to many plants that are integral to the subsistence diets of many Alaska Native communities. Yet, it is unclear how the observed shifts in soil microbes can affect above ground plant communities that are relied on as a major source of food. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that microbial communities associated with permafrost thaw affect plant productivity by growing five plant species found in Boreal forests and Tundra ecosystems, including low-bush cranberry and bog blueberry, with microbial communities from the active layer soils of a permafrost thaw gradient. We found that plant productivity was significantly affected by the microbial soil inoculants. Plants inoculated with communities from above thawing permafrost showed decreased productivity compared to plants inoculated with microbes from undisturbed soils. We used metagenomic sequencing to determine that microbial communities from disturbed soils above thawing permafrost differ in taxonomy from microbial communities in undisturbed soils above intact permafrost. The combination of these results indicates that a decrease in plant productivity can be linked to soil disturbance driven changes in microbial community membership and abundance. These data contribute to an understanding of how microbial communities can be affected by soil disturbance and climate change, and how those community shifts can further influence plant productivity in Boreal forests and more broadly, ecosystem health.

Impact of kerosene pollution on ground vegetation of southern taiga in the Amur Region, Russia

The present study is the field experiment on kerosene pollution impact on southern taiga plant communities. Experimental sites were located in a mixed forest, a deciduous forest, a sedge fen and a wet meadow within the Amur Region of the Russian Far East. Kerosene loads from 1 to 500 g/kg of soil were applied to 50 × 50 cm plots in three replications and their effects on number of species and projective cover of ground vegetation were analysed in 1.5 months and 1 year after exposure. Statistical analyses of data included Student's t-test, Friedman ANOVA and correlation coefficient (r). Phylogenetic analysis was carried out for herbaceous plants on experimental plots. The highest susceptibility to kerosene pollution was found in the mixed forest, where the edificator species (Pteridium aquilinum subsp. pinetorum) was significantly suppressed by the kerosene load of only 1 g/kg of soil. Wetland communities regenerated faster than ground vegetation of forests, especially, in tests with high (>25 g/kg) kerosene loads. The wet meadow community was the most resistant to kerosene pollution, i.e., despite significant decreases in projective cover and number of species after exposure to kerosene loads of 5 and 25 g/kg in the first season, it had the highest regeneration success in the next season. In our study, the kerosene load of 25 g/kg of soil was the threshold level of pollution, above which there were significant structural changes in the studied plant communities. Depending on their abilities to resist kerosene pollution and to regenerate in the next year, dominant species of the studied plant communities were arranged in the following ascending order: Pteridium aquilinum ssp. pinetorum, Convallaria keiskei < Carex cespitosa, Calamagrostis purpurea < Lespedeza bicolor < Vaccinium uliginosum.

Application of wild-raw materials of the Irkutsk region in the production of functional canned products

Relevance. Currently, the environmental situation in many regions of our country leaves much to be desired. It is known that proper nutrition is the foundation of health. Products intended for a healthy diet can only be made from environmentally friendly raw materials. In this regard, the regions of Siberia are of particular interest - they are rich in forests located far from settlements, where it is possible to collect and harvest large quantities of ecologically clean wild-growing raw materials for the production of functional food products.Materials and methods. The authors of the article analyzed the nutritional value and biochemical composition of wild-growing raw materials growing in the southern part of Eastern Siberia (Irkutsk region) on the basis of literature sources. The following raw materials were considered: blueberries (Vaccinium uliginosum), wild garlic: bear onions (Allium ursinum L.), forest mushrooms, pine nut cake and spicy-aromatic herbs – sagan-daila (Rhododendron Adamsii) and thyme (Thymus vulg?ris). Information about their nutritional value and biochemical composition is given. Based on the results of this analysis, a conclusion was made on the promising use of this raw material for the production of functional food products.Results. The article presents the results of scientific research related to the development of functional canned food based on wild-growing raw materials growing in the southern part of Eastern Siberia (Irkutsk region). Formulations of functional sauces have been developed, information on nutritional value and data on the content of the main functional ingredients in canned food are provided.

Triterpenoids and Other Non-Polar Compounds in Leaves of Wild and Cultivated Vaccinium Species.

The purpose of the current study was to identify and quantify triterpenoids and other non-polar compounds in the leaves of three high bush blueberry cultivars (Vaccinium corymbosum L. var. Bluegold, var. Bluecrop and var. Elliott) and three natural populations of Vaccinium species (Vaccinium uliginosum L., Vaccinium myrtillus L. and Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) by means of gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Metabolite profiles differed significantly among the Vaccinium species analyzed, as well as among the populations of the same species. The populations of V. vitis-idaea predominantly contained relative concentrations of phytosterols (varying between 10.48% of total ion current (TIC) and 22.29% of TIC) and almost twice the content of triterpenes (from 29.84% of TIC to 49.62% of TIC) of the other berry species investigated. The leaves of V. corymbosum varieties biosynthesized the highest relative amount of fatty acids, while the leaves of the populations of V. uliginosum had the highest relative concentrations of fatty alcohols. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) showed that the diverse populations of each berry species analyzed differed from each other, most likely due to variations in the climatic and geographical conditions of their localities.

Разнообразие лиственничных лесов и редколесий западного макросклона Приполярного и Северного Урала

Разнообразие лиственничных лесов и редколесий западного макросклона Приполярного и Северного Урала

Сообщества с кустарниковыми ивами в подзоне типичных тундр восточноевропейского сектора Арктики

Сообщества с кустарниковыми ивами в подзоне типичных тундр восточноевропейского сектора Арктики

Diachronic and Cultural Variations in Chukchi Ethnobotany

Although the ethnoecology of the Chukchi has long been the focus of researchers, a systemic description informing the history of plant use, including local names or modes of harvesting and preparation, suitability for different ages, and different occasions, is largely lacking. C. H. Merck provided the first account of food plants at the end of the 18th century, during the Billings-Sarychev expedition, however, the first information regarding traditionally used medicinal plants was published only recently, after centuries of contact. During our 2014-2015 fieldwork, we interviewed 56 Chukchi people in the Chukotskii and Iultinskii districts of Chukotka to collect material on the most common local plants. We also gathered data on Chukchi ethnobotany from all available published sources. Slight differences were observed between maritime and reindeer Chukchi, with the former relying more on plant resources. Access limitations (e.g., algae) are reduced by exchanges between the two groups. The decline in the consumption of roots gathered from vole nests (peɬqumret) is compensated by an increase in berry harvesting (e.g., cloudberry, crowberry, bog blueberry, and lingonberry). Our results also show that the main medical uses are aimed at disease prevention, though some are borrowed from scientific pan-Russian herbal medicine popularized during the Soviet period.

The Introduction and Breeding of Vaccinioideae in Russia

This article briefly reviews the history of researching the introduction and breeding of cranberry, blueberry and cowberry in the world. The results and prospects of research in these areas in the CSBS SB RAS and the CEFES ARRISMF are presented. The article shows the effectiveness of selecting from natural populations promising material for introduction and breeding, and also the usage of intraspecific and interspecific hybridization for Vaccinioidaea breeding. As a result of longterm studies, the collections of Vaccinioidae were made in Russia. In CSBG SB RAS it totals 7 species, 1 subspecies, 54 varieties, 8 hybrids, 101 forms, including 64 selections and world’s first 8 varieties of Vaccinium uliginosum. In CE FES ARRISMF it totals 7 species, 1 subspecies, 82 varieties, 40 hybrids, 58 forms including 40 selections and the first Russian 7 varieties of Oxycoccus palustris and 3 varieties of Vaccinium vitis-idaea.

Asymmetry in host plant preferences of two ecotypes of Boloria eunomia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

The diversity and evolution of host-plant relationships of butterflies has been the subject of much research. In this context, an interesting species is the bog fritillary Boloria eunomia. Across its boreo-montane distribution there are several ecotypes of this butterfly (sometimes distinguished as subspecies), which inhabit distinctly different habitats. However, little is known about the relationships between these forms in terms of host-plant use. We compared larval preferences of two ecotypes in north-eastern Poland, a unique region that is inhabited by different evolutionary lineages of B. eunomia. Larvae of the meadow ecotype reared in captivity were able to grow and develop exclusively on Persicaria bistorta, i.e., their 'native' host plant. In contrast, larvae originating from populations inhabiting raised bogs generally showed poorer survival, though they accepted both Ericaceae species growing in their biotope and P. bistorta, a plant that does not occur in their biotope. They did not show clear food preferences, but mortality was lowest when they were fed Vaccinium uliginosum. This is puzzling as field observations indicate that Vaccinium oxycoccus is the main host plant in the area studied. However, our findings are consistent with the results of phylogeographical studies indicating that meadows were the ancestral habitats of B. eunomia and some populations adapted later to different biotopes. The poor survival of larvae of the bog ecotype recorded in the present study may indicate that this form is at least locally potentially more vulnerable than the other ecotype.

An Anthocyanin-Enriched Extract from Vaccinium uliginosum Improves Signs of Skin Aging in UVB-Induced Photodamage.

Accumulating evidence indicates that botanical extracts affect skin biophysical parameters, such as hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), melanin index, erythema index, and wrinkle development. Vaccinium uliginosum extract contains a high level of anthocyanins as antioxidant and is ideal for use in dietary skin care products. Here, we assessed the photoprotective effects of dietary V. uliginosum extract in ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated hairless mice. Quantitative analysis of anthocyanin composition in the ethanol-extracted V. uliginosum sample was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Skin parameter analysis and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were conducted on skin samples from UVB-irradiated hairless mice to evaluate the effects of V. uliginosum extract on skin conditions. In addition, skin mRNA and protein expression were assessed to characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of the anthocyanin-enriched extract on skin appearance and condition. Administration of the ethanol-extracted V. uliginosum sample caused significant changes in skin water-holding capacity, TEWL, wrinkle-related parameters, and epidermal thickness in UVB-irradiated hairless mice. In addition, oral administration of V. uliginosum attenuated the gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and increased levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) and antioxidant-related genes. Further, V. uliginosum administration downregulated inflammatory cytokine levels and UVB-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signaling regulated kinase (ERK), as well as Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 protein levels. Oral administration of anthocyanin-enriched V. uliginosum extract can improve the appearance and condition of the skin following UV irradiation.

Archaeobotanical results from early medieval Radom, Central Poland, with a special emphasis on the oldest finds of bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum)

The article presents one of the most interesting results of an archaeobotanical analysis of material from the early medieval settlement complex in Radom. These results provided data on useful plants and the paleoenvironment of the site. In the case of two species, it was possible to designate specific sites of their origin. The most interesting species mentioned above are Origanum vulgare and Vaccinium uliginosum. The first one could only grow at one site, slightly away from the settlement. Regarding the second species, the closest sites of occurrence of V. uliginosum can presently be found 40 km from the excavated site. This is quite a long distance from the point of view of early medieval man. It is worth emphasising that the finds of bog bilberry are the oldest remains of V. uliginosum that have been discovered at a Polish archaeological site.

Green and cost-effective synthesis of copper nanoparticles by extracts of non-edible and waste plant materials from Vaccinium species: Characterization and antimicrobial activity

The aim of this work was the green synthesis of copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) using aqueous extracts of (i) bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) waste residues from the production of fruit juices and (ii) non-edible “false bilberry” fruits (Vaccinium uliginosum L. subsp. gaultherioides). Different cupric salts (CuCl2, Cu(CH3COO)2 and Cu(NO3)2) were used for the synthesis. The formation of stable nanoparticles (CuNPs) was assessed by transmission electron microscopy and the oxidation state of copper in these aggregates was followed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The polyphenol composition of the extracts was characterized, before and after the synthesis, using spectrophotometric methods (i.e. total soluble polyphenols and total monomeric anthocyanins) and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (i.e. individual anthocyanins). Polyphenol concentration in the extracts was found to decrease after the synthesis, indicating their active participation to the processes, which led to the formation of Cu-NPs. The antimicrobial activity of Cu-NPs, berry extracts, and cupric ion solutions were analysed by broth microdilution and time-kill assays, on prokaryotic and eukaryotic models. The antimicrobial activity of Cu-NPs, especially those derived from bilberry waste residues, appeared to be higher for both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and for fungi, compared to the ones of its single components (cupric salts and berry extracts). Therefore, Cu-NPs from the green synthesis here proposed can be considered as a cost-effective sanitization tool with a wide spectrum of action.

Patterns of pollen and resource limitation of fruit production in Vaccinium uliginosum and V. vitis-idaea in Interior Alaska.

Many recent studies assessing fruit productivity of plants in the boreal forest focus on interannual variability across a forested region, rather than on environmental variability within the forest. Frequency and severity of wildfires in the boreal forest affect soil moisture, canopy, and community structure at the landscape level, all of which may influence overall fruit production at a site directly or indirectly. We evaluated how fruit production in two boreal shrubs, Vaccinium uliginosum (blueberry) and V. vitis-idaea (lingonberry), was explained by factors associated with resource availability (such as canopy cover and soil conditions) and pollen limitation (such as floral resources for pollinators and pollen deposition) across boreal forest sites of Interior Alaska in 2017. We classified our study sites into upland and lowland sites, which differed in elevation, soil moisture, and active layer. We found that resource and pollen limitation differed between the two species and between uplands and lowlands. Lingonberry was more pollen limited than blueberry, and plants in lowland sites were more pollen limited relative to other sites while plants in upland sites were relatively more resource limited. Additionally, canopy cover had a significant negative effect in upland sites on a ramet's investment in reproductive tissues and leaves versus structural growth, but little effect in lowland sites. These results point to importance of including pollinator service as well as resource availability in predictions for changes in berry abundance.

Climate and environmental drivers of berry productivity from the forest–tundra ecotone to the high Arctic in Canada

Berry shrubs are found across the circumpolar North where they are an important source of food for people and animals. However, the environmental controls on berry productivity in these regions is poorly understood. This study presents the results of an ongoing berry productivity monitoring program for Empetrum nigrum L., Vaccinium uliginosum L., and Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. from the forest–tundra ecotone to the high Arctic in Canada. Berry productivity was the highest recorded for these species with up to 119 berries/m2 (E. nigrum) and 661 berries/m2 (V. uliginosum) measured at one plot in Pangnirtung. On average, berry productivity for E. nigrum and V. uliginosum was higher toward the northern edge of the species distribution range. The climate variables important for the productivity of V. uliginosum in high Arctic sites were closely associated with the onset of the growing season and water availability during the growing season, whereas those important in the low Arctic sites reflected conditions during the growing season. None of the climate variables used were associated with the productivity of E. nigrum and V. vitis-idaea, likely due to complex responses and length of the time-series, thus highlighting the importance of continued monitoring in partnership with northern people and institutions.

Detecting the colonization of ericoid mycorrhizal fungi in Vaccinium uliginosum using in situ polymerase chain reaction and green fluorescent protein

BackgroundEricoid mycorrhizal fungi (EMF) play important roles in mineral cycling and plant nutrient acquisition, and they increase plant survival in nutrient-poor environments. In this study, we detected the colonization of EMF using a green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression method and in situ PCR.ResultsGenetic transformants of Cryptosporiopsis ericae and Sordariomycetes sp. expressing GFP were obtained via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. GFP transformants were able to infect Vaccinium uliginosum, and their fluorescence was visible in the hair roots. Both in situ PCR and the GFP-expressing method indicated that EMF could colonize the hair roots of V. uliginosum 2 weeks after inoculation.ConclusionsThis research represents the first attempt to detect ericoid mycorrhizal colonization using in situ PCR. A GFP-expressing method is an excellent system for detecting the colonization of EMF, but it is dependent on the successful transformation and expression of the gfp gene. In situ PCR and the GFP expression may be developed as new tools to study the interactions of EMF both with ericaceous plants and with the environment.

The effect of Chinese wild blueberry fractions on the growth and membrane integrity of various foodborne pathogens.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Chinese wild blueberry extract and its fractions against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Enteritidis, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Chinese wild blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) crude extract (BBE) was obtained using methanol extraction, and sugars plus organic acids (F1), phenolics fraction (F2), and anthocyanins plus proanthocyanidins (F3) fractions were separated using C-18 Sep-Pak columns. The minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration of each fractional component were determined using a two-fold-serial dilution method. Nucleic acid leakage (OD260 nm ) and protein release (Bradford protein assay) were determined by spectrophotometry, to evaluate the permeability of the cell membrane. F3 was found to exhibit the greatest antimicrobial activity against the four tested strains, followed by F2, F1, and BBE. V. parahaemolyticus was the most sensitive to the all fractions, followed by S. Enteritidis, L. monocytogenes, and S. aureus. Survival curve analysis showed that the number of bacteria decreased from six log colony-forming units (CFU) to less than 10 CFU after bacteria were treated with fractions for 12 hr, which demonstrated the bactericidal effect of blueberry fractions. Furthermore, when the pathogens were treated with fractions for 2 hr, the OD260 nm and OD595 nm values increased significantly (P <0.01), which indicated the significant release of nucleic acid and protein. The results from this study indicated that blueberry fractions, especially F3, inhibited the growth of foodborne pathogens by damaging their cell membrane, and may be developed as a natural preservative to prevent and control foodborne pathogens. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: A blueberry crude extract and its sugars plus organic acids, phenolics, and anthocyanins plus proanthocyanidins fractions, inhibited the growth of foodborne pathogens by destroying their cell membrane. Therefore, Chinese wild blueberries have potential as a natural preservative to prevent and control foodborne pathogens.

Biodiversity and Structure of Undisturbed Mountain Siberian Pine Taiga of the Idarsky Belogorye Ridge (East Sayan)

The structure of flora and fauna, which is a standard of the state and dynamics of the taiga forests in humid climatic facies of the Altai-Sayan mountain region, has been analyzed based on the example of the undisturbed mountain Siberian Pine taiga (Eastern Sayan mountains). The ecological–phytocenotic features and floristic and faunistic composition of the late succession stage are studied. The dominance of the green moss group of forest types is revealed across the topographic profiles. The forest stands have a complex age structure with the dominance of Pinus sibirica Du Tour. and are characterized by low productivity (quality classes IV–V prevail), high class of normality (from 0.5 to 1.0), and sufficient regeneration. A floristic, ecological–coenotic analysis of the herb–dwarf-shrub layer, the elements of undergrowth, and the moss cover indicates the dominance of humid taiga flora. The species of the taiga ecological–coenotic group (ECG) (Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex iljinii, Calamagrostis obtusata, Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Phegopteris connectilis, Oxalis acetosella, Aegopodium alpestre, Trientalis europaea, Linnaea borealis, Maianthemum bifolium, Stellaria bungeana, et al.), moss–bog ECG (Ledum palustre, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex globularis et al.), and bor-taiga ECG (Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Pyrola rotundifolia, Lycopodium annotinum et al.) form the herb–dwarf-shrub layer in the prevailing forest types. Green mosses (Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi with a mixture of Ptilium crista-castrensis and Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus) dominate in the moss layer. Polytrichum commune, P. strictum, Dicranum scoparium, D. polysetum, and Sphagnum sp. mosses are found in some sites. The increased role of higher spore plants characterizes the flora as well-preserved archaic features flora. The Siberian pine forest coenoflora consists of 224 species and belongs to the Cyperaceae type. In the structure of the geographical elements of the flora, the leading role belongs to the Palaearctic, European, and Siberian elements with an increased role of endemics. The species typical for the Siberia taiga complex compose the core of the fauna. The most diverse avifauna is represented by 102 species (Tarsiger cyanurus, Parus montanus, Parus ater, Luscinia calliope, Sitta europaea, Loxia curvirostra, Coccothraustes coccothraustes, Tetrastes bonasia, Phylloscopus proregulus, etc.).