Forest-forming Species Research Articles

Polymorphic Loci of Adaptively Significant Genes Selection for Determining Nucleotide Polymorphism of Pinus sylvestris L. Populations in the Urals

Background: Scots Pine is one of the main forest-forming species in boreal forests; it has great economic and ecological significance. This study aimed to develop and test primers for detecting nucleotide polymorphisms in genes that are promising for detecting adaptive genetic variability in populations of Pinus sylvestris in the Urals and adjacent territories. Objectives: The objects of the study were 13 populations of Scots Pine located in the Perm Territory, Chelyabinsk Region, and the Republic of Bashkortostan. Results: Sixteen pairs of primers to loci of potentially adaptively significant genes were developed, from which three pairs of primers were selected to detect the nucleotide diversity of the studied populations. The indicator of total haplotype diversity determined in the three studied loci varied from 0.620 (Pinus-12 locus) to 0.737 (Pinus-11 locus) and, on average, amounted to 0.662. The nucleotide diversity indicators in P. sylvestris in the study region were, on average, low (π = 0.004, θW = 0.013). Their highest values were found at the Pinus-12 locus (π = 0.005; θW = 0.032), and the lowest were found at the Pinus-15 locus (π = 0.003; θW = 0.002). This indicates that Pinus-15 is the most conserved of the three studied loci. In the three studied P. sylvestris loci associated with adaptation to environmental factors, 97 polymorphic positions were identified. The 13 populations of P. sylvestris are characterized by an average level of genetic diversity (Hd = 0.662; π = 0.004; θ = 0.013). Conclusions: The polymorphic loci of adaptively significant genes of P. sylvestris can help identify the adaptive potential of pine forests in conditions of increasing ambient temperatures.

Bark Thickness of Forest-forming Species: Modeling and Comparative Analysis

The need to assess the carbon-depositing capacity of a stand, an individual tree and its components is constantly emphasized in the world literature, since mitigation of the effects of climate change has become the highest priority. Since the carbon concentration differs in different tree species and in different components of the tree, including in the stem wood and bark, it is necessary to develop species-specific mathematical models for estimating the proportion of bark in trunks to improve the accuracy of knowledge about the carbon balance of forests. The relationship of bark thickness with both age and diameter of the tree trunk is known, but with respect to its regional variability, the data are contradictory. According to the actual data from 1100 model trees of five forest-forming species, allometric models of a mixed type have been developed. They include as independent variables the age and diameter of the trunk, as well as a binary variable characterising the influence of the growing area itself on the bark thickness of Scots pine, silver birch and Siberian larch, as well as the difference in the thickness of the bark between Siberian spruce and Siberian fir in case of joint growth in mature stands of the taiga zone. At a statistically significant level, it was found that the bark thickness of Scots pine and silver birch trees in the steppe zone is significantly greater compared to the taiga zone, and the bark thickness of Siberian larch trees in the forest-tundra is significantly greater compared to the steppe zone. The bark thickness of Siberian spruce trees is significantly less than that of Siberian fir trees. The ranking of species by bark thickness is included in the paper.

Ecological typology of woody vegetation of the Starohut forest massif as a component of the restoration of disturbed ecotopes

The study aimed to determine the typological structure of the Starohut forest massif within the Desniansko-Starohutskyi National Nature Park based on the Ukrainian school of forest typology by Alekseev-Pogrebnyak. The massif covers an area of 6,778.8 hectares. The following trophotopes were identified in the study area: bors, subors, and sugruds. Bors, consisting of pine communities with some birch, occupy dry and fresh hygrotopes on flat terrain, covering 1.8 hectares or 0.02% of the total forest area. Subors, comprising pine-oak communities with birch and aspen, are found in fresh, moist, damp, and swamp hygrotopes, covering 4,510.1 hectares or 66.53% of the territory. Sugruds, consisting of oak-pine-lindenmaple forests on plains and aspen-birch-linden-maple forests in depressions, cover 2,266.9 hectares or 33.44% of the Starohut forest massif. No gruds were identified. The study found that the primary forest-forming species in the national park is Pinus sylvestris, occupying 5,092.7 hectares. Betula pendula covers 1,207.1 hectares, Alnus glutinosa – 201.4 hectares, Picea abies – 111.5 hectares, and Quercus robur – 90.0 hectares. Other tree species are sparsely represented. In the protected area of the park, fresh subors and sugruds dominate, including a mixture of birch, black alder, and spruce over a total area of 1,181.1 hectares, along with moist pine-birch-alder-oak subors and sugruds covering 849.4 hectares. The recreational zone is dominated by fresh hygrotopes with subors and sugruds totalling 2,336.4 hectares. In the economic zone, subors and sugruds prevail on fresh sandy soils, totalling 430.7 hectares. The results support the restoration of natural forest types in areas affected by large-scale fires in 2023-2024 and other anthropogenic influences

Ecological Aspects and Methodology for Assessing the Forests of the Ural Floodplain

The floodplain forests in West Kazakhstan’s Urals are challenging to study due to complex growth patterns. Existing tables estimate the trunk volume and wood size but lack comprehensive data for effective forest management. A developed research methodology focuses on creating growth and productivity models for forest-forming species across diverse forest types. Multidimensional linear growth models, with dummy variables for species and forest types, offer reliable insights into the average height and diameter changes at different ages. These models facilitate statistical analyses of asynchronous growth with high reliability. Three-level growth models detail regression lines for individual forest-forming species within specific forest types. This article illustrates the construction of a model for black poplar stands in a central floodplain’s medium-level conditions. Furthermore, it highlights the potential for a regional planting classification based on average height gradients at the base age of stands. The presented methodology aims to address the challenges in forest management and forestry in the region.

Дендроэкологическое исследование роста осины в условиях Московской области

According to V.A. Dragavtsev's concept, the reaction of the annual ring to the provocative environmental background of different years creates a “portrait” of adaptive polygenic genotype systems. By comparing the reactions of the main forest-forming species from an ecologically homogeneous habitat, it is possible to assess the level of similarity of their ecological properties. Cluster analysis of tree-ring chronologies of aspen and species growing together with it, correlation analysis of chronologies and indexed chronologies, as well as time series of meteorological factors and Fourier spectral analysis have been used for a dendroecological research into aspen growth features in the conditions of the Molokchinskiy Botanical and Entomological Reserve of the Sergiev Posad District of the Moscow Region. To compare with the chronologies of aspen from two stands, the chronologies of European white birch, English oak, grey alder and Norway spruce have been used. It has been established that the cluster analysis of indexed chronologies based on calculating the squared Euclidean distance and combining the chronologies into groups according to the rule of complete linkage distinguishes aspen chronologies into a separate cluster, very distant from the other species under consideration. According to the correlation analysis of indexed chronologies, the dynamics of radial increment of aspen is most closely related to the dynamics of radial increment of European white birch and gray alder. Moreover, the maximum correlation coefficient (0.71) is observed for the chronologies of aspen from two different stands. Among the climatic factors, the main limiting influence on aspen increment is exerted by July precipitation in the year of the annual ring formation and August precipitation in the year preceding the year of the annual ring formation. The response to precipitation in August last year is specific to aspen stands and has several options for ecophysiological interpretation. According to Fourier spectral analysis, aspen chronologies have the most pronounced cyclic component with a period of 10.4 years, which completely coincides with the cyclic component of the time series of Wolf numbers in the time interval under consideration. This distinguishes aspen from the rest of the studied forest-forming species. A conclusion has been made about the specificity of the dynamics of the radial growth of aspen in comparison with other forest-forming species under study.

Ecological and cenotic features of natural regeneration of forests in the Left-Bank Polissya of Ukraine

The research relevance of the complex, multi-stage process of natural regeneration of forest communities, as well as interactions and transformations, is determined by the rapidly growing challenges posed by climate change, deforestation and biodiversity loss. The study aims to assess the state and to identify the ecological and coenotic specificity of natural seed regeneration of the leading forest-forming species of the Left-Bank Polissya of Ukraine. The study was carried out using a set of methods, primarily geobotanical, population and mathematical and statistical. The process of natural recovery was studied in communities that are typical for the region and belong to 42 syntaxa in the rank of associations and 24 syntaxa in the rank of association groups. The study revealed the specifics of such forest-forming species as Pinus sylvestris L., Quercus robur L., Acer platanoides L., Betula pendula Roth., Populus tremula L., and Tilia cordata Mill. The study established that the representation of the undergrowth of the main forest-forming species in the forest plant communities of the Left-Bank Polissya of Ukraine varies quite significantly. The study described the determinants of the species composition of restoration, including the peculiarities of seed (fruit) dispersion and the adaptive potential of plants. The study determined that the condition of the understory and its population density are determined by the level of soil moisture (the highest values of understory density in most species were recorded in forests with soils moistened at the level of fresh and wet hygro-tops), and this process may intensify against the background of climate change. The results of the study can be used to develop effective strategies for forest management, biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management in the Left Bank Polissia region, which will help improve the environmental situation and create favourable conditions for the restoration of forest ecosystems

Архивы клонов плюсовых деревьев сосны обыкновенной в Республике Карелия

Archives of clones (ACs) of plus trees (PTs) are laid to preserve their genotypes. The genotype of each plus tree is unique, and its loss is irreplaceable. In addition, scientific observations are carried out in the archives, in particular, the selection of clones for forest seed orchards (FCOs) of increased genetic value (FSO-I,5). The aim of this research has been to study the dynamics of creating and preserving the archives of clones, as well as their state, in Russia in general and in the Republic of Karelia in particular. As of 2019 there were 31,514 plus trees in the Russian Federation, and the archives of clones covered an area of 573.6 ha, or 17 % less than in 1976. In the Republic of Karelia, despite discarding 40 % of them, as of 01.01.2023, there were 1,486 plus trees, including 1,100 trees of the most valuable forest species – Scots pine. Only 12.8 % of the progeny of this species grow in the archives of clones (8.4 % of a total of 1,695 selected Scots pine plus trees). For a full-fledged archive of clones (1,695 pcs. of the progeny of Scots pine plus trees), it is required to additionally plant 38.9 ha (in two repetitions – 81.3 ha) of trees. First of all, it is necessary to create the archives of clones of Scots pine from the plus trees listed in the register of the Republic of Karelia as of 2023 (1,110 pcs.). In this case, the area of additional planting will be 52 ha. To date, the selection inventory of forests in Russia as a whole and its regions, including the Republic of Karelia, has been partially completed, i.e. the selection of plus trees, considering the huge size of forested area, has also been carried out to a limited extent. Meanwhile, it is the plus plantations, plus trees and forest seed orchards created by their clone progeny that are a sample of the best phenotypic gene pool of the main forest-forming species, both in the regions of the RF and in the country as a whole. But over time these objects are aging, dying and being cut down. The best specimens may not always be preserved even in forest seed orchards and matrix plantations (MPs). Constant deforestation, a decrease in the age of felling, and the natural aging of certified plus tress necessitate the resumption of systematic selection of plus trees in the best ripening plantations of the Republic, especially its northern and central parts, and the cultivation of the best trees in the archives of clones in the form of clone progeny. This article indicates the importance of clone archives for preserving the valuable gene pool of forest woody plants and their use even in the event of the disappearance of plus trees in the places of selection and registration.

О лучших геоэкотипах сосны обыкновенной (Pinus sylvestris L.) для искусственного лесовосстановления

The basis for adjusting the previously established boundaries of forest seed areas for forest-forming species are the results of studying the condition, growth intensity and productivity of their offspring in the form of forest geographical crops, which were created in the 60-70s of the XX century in different regions of the USSR. The best geoecotypes are identified by comparing the morphometric parameters achieved by the test geographical offspring by the age of “ripening”, or on the basis of multifactor analysis with their comprehensive assessment based on a set of criteria. In 2018-2021 In order to identify and select the best geoecotypes of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), moved to the Central Black Earth Region (Voronezh region), based on their potential economic suitability for sustainable forest reproduction in the European part of the Russian Federation, comprehensive studies were carried out in 59-61-year-old tree stands that are seed trees offspring of different forest-steppe and steppe geoecotypes. On 32 trial plots, promising, medium and unpromising P. sylvestris geoecotypes were determined using a unified methodology and 12 evaluation criteria. It has been reliably established that among the 18 forest-steppe ecotypes studied, only 4 are the best. To introduce them into silviculture production, it is necessary to optimize the logistics of procuring seeds of the best ecotypes, growing standard planting material from them and planting them in appropriate forest conditions. According to forecasts, the use of seeds and planting material, identified selectively the best geoecotypes of P. sylvestris during the implementation of plans for the sustainable reproduction of future forests in the European part of the Russian Federation, will provide an accumulative silvicultural and economic effect that grows over time and high economic efficiency.

Investigating Water Storage Dynamics in the Litter Layer: The Impact of Mixing and Decay of Pine Needles and Oak Leaves

Little is known about how the degree of mixing various forest-forming species affects forest floor hydrology. We evaluated the water storage capacity of the resulting litter layer by mixing the litterfall of Scots pine and sessile oak and studying their decomposition time. We prepared 90 artificial samples containing pure pine litter, pure oak litter, and mixed pine–oak litter with varying shares of pine needles. These samples were subjected to 15 months of decomposition in soil. After every three months of decay, some samples were removed from the soil, and their water storage capacity, bulk density, and C:N ratio were evaluated. Our findings indicate that samples with the greatest water storage capacity had a low C:N ratio and a predominant share of oak leaves. Conversely, samples with a high C:N ratio and a predominant share of pine needles had the lowest water storage capacity. After 12 and 15 months of decomposition, the water storage capacity increased by more than 52% compared to the initial water capacity of the samples. The highest increase in water storage capacity (>40%) was observed in samples with a predominant share of oak leaves, while the lowest (approximately 28%) was recorded in samples with 80 and 100% of pine needles. Our findings suggest that introducing mixed-species stands, with deciduous species as the predominant component, can yield several ecological benefits, such as an increased ability to store water in forest floor.

Estimation of the Short-Term Impact of Climate-Change-Related Factors on Wood Supply in Poland in 2023–2025

In this study, we analyzed in situ data from the years 2018–2022 encompassing entire forest plantations in Poland. Based on data regarding stand density and the occurrence of fungal, water-related, climate-related, fire, and insect factors that may intensify with climate changes, we determined the correlation between their occurrence and the decline in wood increments for six tree species: pine, birch, oak, spruce, beech, and alder. Subsequently, we identified age intervals in which the species–factor interaction exhibited statistically significant effects. Next, we developed neural network models for short-term wood increment predictions. Utilizing these models, we estimated a reduction in wood supply harvested in accordance with the plans for the years 2023–2025 assuming a tenfold greater intensity of factors than in 2022. Findings indicate: birch: water-related factors may reduce wood production by 0.1%–0.2%. This aligns with previous research linking drought to birch wood decline, highlighting its sensitivity to water-related issues. Oak: fungal and insect factors could decrease wood production by up to 0.1%. Prior studies emphasize the significant influence of fungal diseases on oak health and regeneration, as well as the impact of insect infestation on wood production. Alder: water-related factors may lead to a slight reduction in wood production, approximately 0.02%. The impact is significant within specific age ranges, indicating potential effects on harvesting. Pine: water- and climate-related factors may result in up to a 0.05% reduction in wood production. Pine, a key forest-forming species in Poland, is notably sensitive to these factors, especially as it nears harvesting age. Spruce: insects, fungi, and climate-related factors could lead to a reduction in wood production of up to 0.2%–0.3%. Analyses demonstrate sensitivity, resulting in a noticeable growth differential compared to the typical rate. Short-term predictions based on neural networks were developed, acknowledging their suitability for short-term forecasts due to uncertainties regarding long-term factor impacts. Additionally, our study discussed modeling wood increments in divisions well below the harvesting time, emphasizing that the influence of current and 2023–2025 factors on wood increments and supply may only manifest several decades from now. These results imply important indications for the economic and financial performance of the wood industry.

Growth and productivity of red oak (Q.Rubra L.) forest cultures in the North-West Caucasus

The paper presents the results of the study of red oak (Q. rubra L.) cultures located on the territory of «Kurjip district forestry» of the Republic of Adygea (western part of the North Caucasus). The characteristic of red oak is given as a tree species, less demanding to soil conditions in comparison with other forest-forming species and possessing high decorative properties, due to which it is used for solitary plantings, as hedges along highways, arrays in parks, squares and other objects of landscape architecture. It combines well both in pure plantings and in combination with petiole oak, hornbeam and aspen. Red oak can grow on sandy loam and loamy podzolic soils without stagnant moisture, mainly on the banks of rivers, it grows worse on calcareous soil. The tree species due to well-developed root system is resistant to wind, also characterized by good resistance to damage by entomo- and phyto-pests. The growth and productivity of red oak and related species were analyzed in the work, and the graphs of growth progress by height and diameter of crops were plotted. It was found that in more favorable growing conditions red oak is not inferior to petiole oak in growth and productivity. Keywords: North-West Caucasus, Forest Cultures, Red Oak, Common Oak, Non-Native Species, Growth, Productivity.

Interdependence of stocking rate and relative density in mixed spruce-dominated stands of the Yenisei ridge

The study is focused on a particular issue in the field of analysis of the stands horizontal structure, which is of practical importance. The aim of the present research is to study the interdependence of stocking rate and relative density in mature and overmature mixed spruce-dominated stands of the Yenisei Ridge. The research was based on the materials obtained from 15 research plots where we felled and measured 159 model trees. Stocking and density are interrelated. Nevertheless, the relationship is complex since the stocking undergoes through two main stages - an increase in the number of trees and the following thinning of forest stands. The research was conducted in mature and overmature mixed Siberian spruce-dominated stands of different stocking rates. All the studied forests stands were of the same stage of development. As a result, we revealed the extent to which stands characteristics depend on stocking (at stand-wide level and for forest-forming species separately). We also defined equations stating the correlation between relative density and stocking.

Разработка автономного роботизированного комплекса в лесовосстановлении и лесоразведении

The purpose of the study is to automate the process of creating forest cultures. The object of the research is the design and technical solution of an autonomous reforestation robot for planting seedlings of coniferous forest crops (pine, spruce). Land degradation and desertification is a significant problem for ensuring food security in the Russian Federation. More than 100 million hectares of agricultural land are at risk of loss of fertility due to large-scale degradation and desertification. The lack of qualified personnel and low-productivity manual labor do not allow for the most efefctive use of the tight deadlines for reforestation work. At present, there is an urgent need for advanced developments in the field of technical and economic aspects of forest culture. All known serial models of reforestation machines use the manual labor of the operator to feed seedlings to the working bodies of the device for further planting in the ground in the direction of the machine. In this regard, the productivity of these complexes directly depends on and is limited by the personal skills of the operator. The use of an autonomous unmanned robot, such as the Svyatobor complex being developed, will eliminate the human factor, standardize the quality of planting seedlings, and use the terms of reforestation and forest management work as efficiently as possible. Along with the issue of standardizing the quality of planting seedlings, significant savings in time and resources are achieved by eliminating the need for soil preparation due to the introduction of machine vision, the use of a robot track platform and a special plow that performs opening of the fertile layer directly at the place of planting each seedling. The article describes the concept of the Svyatobor complex, including the main elements and stages of its preparation for work. The results of the development of careful capture of seedlings of coniferous forest-forming species are presented.

CLIMATOGENIC INFLUENCE AND PREDICTION OF SEASONAL RHYTHM CHANGES IN THE MAIN FOREST-FORMING SPECIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN CARPATHIANS

The article is devoted to the study of the phenological phenomena of the main forest-forming species (European spruce - Picea abies, white fir - Abies alba and forest beech - Fagus sylvatica) within the temperate climate zone (600-800 m a.s.l.) on the territory of the Carpathian National Nature Park for the period 2000-2022. The study employed a comprehensive set of field, instrumental, laboratory, analytical, and mathematical-statistical research methods, along with certain approaches applied in phenology and meteorology. According to the results of the statistical analysis, a significant influence of precipitation in March on the beginning of bud swelling (Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica species), the beginning of flowering trees (Picea abies, Abies alba species) and the onset of fruit ripening (Picea abies, Fagus sylvatica species) was revealed. and the beginning of seed dispersal (Picea abies, Abies alba species). It should be noted that the minimum air temperatures in July significantly affect phenological events that begin and continue at this time and later, in particular, the beginning of fruit ripening (Abies alba, Fagus sylvatica species) and the onset of seeds dispersal (in all species). Strong and moderate correlations between January-February maximum temperatures and various phenological events (e.g., in Picea abies, dates of shoot growth and flowering initiation; in Abies alba, dates of flowering initiation and seed ripening initiation; in Fagus sylvatica, dates of bud swelling and flowering initiation) suggest a notable impact of underground water, originating from meltwater during this period, on plant seasonal rhythms. The most difficult for modeling was the phenomenon of the beginning of flowering of trees, the formation of which is influenced by all involved climate predictors - precipitation, minimum and maximum air temperatures. Based on the results of the research, the initial long-term forecasting of the response of local forest crops to probable climate changes was carried out; so, it was shown that even under the worst-case scenario (RCP 8.5), the dates of occurrence of all phenological phenomena of model tree species will be within the scope of the sample of actual data for the observation period of 2000-2022.

POST-FIRE CONDITION AND RESTORATION OF FORESTS ON THE TERRITORY OF KOSTANAY REGION

The results of field studies of post-fire condition and reforestation of Kostanay region are presented. The purpose of the research is to study and analyze the post-fire condition and forest regeneration in the territory of Kostanay region. It was established that the magnitude of post-fire tree declines and their radial growth in stands of the main forest-forming species are determined by the type and intensity of fire. Taking into account the types of forest landscapes using space images, we have identified 7 key and control (background) sites that characterize the disturbed and background undisturbed forest cover. Among them, the most affected by the forest fire are key areas No5 and No7, where a top fire of medium intensity occurred. The forest litter of these key areas was completely burned in a severe fire, the soil seed stock was destroyed, and low intensity of natural regeneration is expected. The average grade of all studied key sites is estimated by us as III and it is connected with untimely harvesting, which resulted in the reduction of annual growth of the plantation. Sanitary condition of plantations in key sites No1, No5, No7 is unsatisfactory in comparison with other sites. Soils of the investigated key sites are not compacted and favorable for growth. In key plot No.1 there was a compacted crust in the surface soil layer. Uneven natural regeneration of common pine after the fire is observed. Predominantly friendly seed sprouting is associated with more moistened lowlands and loosened soil areas. Factors impeding the natural renewal of pine forests include deep burning of the forest floor and soil cover, mechanical effects on the soil and seedlings of the equipment used to develop harems, the mushroom wavy rhizina (Rhizina undulata) which affects the roots of coniferous trees.

The oak forest of the Dendropark “Оlexandria”. Part 1. From indigenous to anthropogenically transformed plantation

This study aimed to determine the level of preservation of primeval forest criteria and the extent of anthropogenic transformation in the old-growth oak forest of the Dendropark “Оlexandria”. This age-old oak forest of natural origin covers an area of 31.8 ha with 1413 oaks. Another 8.8 ha of the oak plantations with 462 oaks belong to artificial landscape compositions.For over 200 years of existence since the creation of the Dendropark “Оlexandria”, the oak forest has preserved a number of criteria characteristics of virgin forests. In particular, it kept the complex mosaic-tiered forest structure. The indigenous associations of oak forests of hazel-ash (Quercetа (roboris) coryloso-aegopodiosum) and Tatar maple-stellar (Quercetа (roboris) acerioso (tatarici) stellariosum) remained. The dominant species, Quercus robur, retained the function of a unifier with a share in the first tier of 70–100 %. The floristic core of the main forest-forming species has been preserved too.The oak forest is a habitat for many woody and herbaceous plants of the local flora, including threatened species. The oak forest is characterized by high structural complexity, particularly a diverse epiphytic lichen flora, the presence of rare species, and 15 indicator species of old-growth forests and virgin forests. The oak forest is a habitat for 62 species of birds, mostly inhabitants of forests. A large part of the oak forest contains dead wood of the uniflorus species and its companions in various stages of decomposition.The anthropogenic interference in the oak forest has been long and varied. Since the foundation of the park and subsequently, the oak forest has been subjected to excessive fragmentation and introduction of introductions, creating decorative landscape compositions within the oak forest, mainly in the central part. This caused significant ecotonisation of the oak forest and displacement of Q. robur.Current research has revealed a number of criteria that classify the oak forest as a successor to the primeval forest, which gives the oak forest an exceptional value.

Dendrochronological Analysis of One-Seeded and Intermediate Hawthorn Response to Climate in Poland

Although the hawthorn is not a forest-forming species, and it has no high economic significance, it is a very valuable component of forests, mid-field woodlots or roadside avenues. The literature, however, lacks information on the growth rate, growth phases, or growth–climate–habitat relationship for trees of this genus. This work aimed to establish the rate of growth of Craraegus monogyna and C. xmedia Bechst growing in various parts of Poland, in various habitats; analyze the growth–climate relationship; and distinguish dendrochronological regions for these species. Samples were taken using a Pressler borer from nine populations growing in different parts of Poland, from a total of 192 trees (359 samples). The tree-ring width was measured down to 0.01 mm. The average tree-ring width in the studied hawthorn populations ranged from 1.42 to 3.25 mm/year. Using well-established cross-dating methods, nine local chronologies were compiled with tree ages between 45 and 72 years. Dendroclimatic analyses (pointer year analysis, correlation and response function analysis) were performed for a 33-year period from 1988 to 2020, for which all local chronologies displayed EPS > 0.85. The tree-ring width in the hawthorn populations depended mostly on temperature and rainfall through the May–August period. High rainfall and the lack of heat waves through these months cause an increase in cambial activity and the formation of wide tree rings. Conversely, rainfall shortages through this period, in conjunction with high air temperatures, caused growth depressions. Cluster analysis enabled the identification of two dendrochronological regions among the hawthorn in Poland: a western and eastern region, and a single site (CI), whose separation was most likely caused by contrasting habitat and genetic conditions. The obtained results highlight the need for further study of these species in Poland and other countries.

ГИС-анализ влияния типа землепользования на современное разнообразие лесонасаждений в национальном парке «Кенозерский»

The problem of agricultural land abandonment is a worldwide problem. In the forest zone, the transformation of fallow lands is associated with afforestation and the formation of so-called secondary forest growths. Postagrogenic forests reflect the agricultural history of fallow areas, which imprint the "mute" realities of time and the social order of their development. The type of previous land use creates sufficiently stable factors, which in the process of natural overgrowth are weakly changed by natural factors and affect the emerging forests. In the key area of Kenozersky National Park (middle taiga forest region), located in the Plesetsk District of the Arkhangelsk region, we traced, according to the 1861 boundary plans, the regularities of evolution of land use areas of different categories during forest overgrowth. We assessed the area, tree species and typological structure of modern forests according to the 2014 forest inventory and traced the connection between the transformation of agro-ecosystems into forests and the history of the use of these lands after the land survey. As of the year when the boundary plans were drawn up, more than half of the territory of the key site was under agrarian influence (arable land, perelogs, haymaking, etc.). After 160 years a forest massif was formed (97 % of the territory), in which a part of hayfields was preserved. First of all, perelogs and hayfields were overgrown with forests (99 and 85 %, respectively). The allocation characterization of taxation descriptions of forest stands showed that bilberry and oxalis type pine forests were formed more often (89,7; 81,0; 78.5 %, respectively) on abandoned arable lands, perelogs and hayfields. All formed stands, classified as bilberry and oxalis type pine forests during forest inventory, have rather high productivity (I–II quality classes) and mixed composition. Forests of lower quality classes (III and IV) were rewealed in the formation of bilberry forest type. At present about 70 % of the bilberry and oxalis type pine forests on the 1861 boundary plan, formed on arable land, are dominated by birch (more than 3 units), about 10 % – by gray alder; the share of stands dominated by aspen is high. Reduced soil fertility on swidden plots ensured a more stable position of pine in the composition of emerging stands (60 % of pine-dominated stands). The character of tree species composition in stands formed on hayfields corresponds to lands with high soil fertility, which indicates the formation of hayfields on abandoned arable land. The studies have demonstrated significant differentiation of derived forest landscapes, sometimes hidden due to the widespread growth of the main forest-forming species and the formation of zonal-type forests. Intralandscape differentiation associated with the history of agricultural development has been preserved for more than 100 years and requires close study. For citation: Kozykin A.V., Nakvasina E.N. GIS-analysis of the Influence of the Land Use Type on the Current Diversity of Forest Plantations in the Kenozersky National Park. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 5, pp. 27–41. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-5-27-41

Age-Related Changes in the Ratios of the Components of Aboveground Phytomass of Forest-Forming Species of Eurasia

The assessment of phytomass, as the most important characteristic of forest ecosystems, plays a key role in monitoring the global carbon cycle and assessing the state of forests. In order for the species to achieve optimal productivity at the plant level, some proportionality between the functions and phytomass of its components must be ensured. The theory of optimal phytomass partitioning suggests that plants adapt the size of their organs not only to the external environment, but also to the physiological activity of various tissues. According to this theory, it has been established that the share of the component in the total phytomass (i.e., the relative phytomass of the component) is not constant: if in mature trees the largest share of phytomass falls on the stem and the smallest on the assimilation apparatus, then in seedlings the largest share of phytomass falls not on the stem, but on the assimilation organs. In order to establish the age at which the aforementioned trends change, the author’s database on the phytomass of trees belonging to the forest-forming genera of Eurasia was used. Models of changes in relative phytomasses for four coniferous and four deciduous forest-forming genera have been developed in relation to the age and the aboveground phytomass. Their contributions to the explanation of the variability of relative phytomass components amounted to 57–60 and 40–43%, respectively. It is established that with age the positive dependence of the relative phytomass of the stem upon the aboveground phytomass is replaced by a negative one, and the negative dependence of the relative phytomass of the branches is replaced by a positive one. The negative dependence of the relative foliage mass upon the aboveground phytomass by the age of maturity is leveled. The ages of the change of the positive or negative dependence of the relative phytomass of the components upon the aboveground phytomass by the opposite dependence in the studied age range have been established. However, the ages of the change of these rankings vary greatly in different genera, and further research is needed both to clarify the ages of the named shift and to clarify the reasons for such a significant variation. The obtained results showed that the relative phytomasses of the components change with age and phytomass in their interaction, i.e. there is a synergy of factors.

Siberian Fir Needles Growth and Structural Features Studied in the North-East of the European Russia

Siberian fir (Abies sibirica Ledeb.) is the subject of this research and is the least studied forest-forming species in the North-East of the European Russia. The purpose of the work is to study changes in the structure of fir needles in the process of its growth. The paper is based on a growth model and examines the relationship between the linear dimensions of Siberian fir needles and changes in the anatomical structure and ultrastructure of its assimilation apparatus during the period of its growth outside the bud. A logistic model was successfully tested as a model of changes in fir needles’ linear dimensions (length, width and thickness), and proved to be a convenient tool for analysing the processes of needle development at all structural levels. The application of the model makes it possible to identify the phases of needle development and confirm the synchronism in changes in the linear dimensions of needles with the development of assimilation cells. It has been shown that when the needles of Siberian fir emerge from the bud, they are already qualitatively capable of photosynthesis, as evidenced by the presence of developed thylakoids and grana in chloroplasts, as well as photosynthetic pigments. The assimilation apparatus reaches its highest qualitative and quantitative development after the end of the last phase of needle growth in length, which gives us grounds to conclude that under optimal environmental conditions, already developed needles reach the highest functional activity during this period.