Pinus Sibirica Research Articles

Vegetation community classification of the Sanzai area in Mongolia

This study reports the forest vegetation community classification of the Sanzai area (Khentii range) in Mongolia using the phytosociological method. The forest vegetation has been classified into five major types characterized by the following associations: Larix sibirica community, Pinus sylvestris community, Betula fusca-Picea obovata community, Betula platyphylla community, and Pinus sibirica community. Ecological characteristics such as species composition, layer structure, vegetation ratio, and the distribution of individual trees based on their diameter at breast height (DBH) are slightly different among the plant communities. In all communities, the significant value was highest in the Larix sibirica with 74.6%, followed by Pinus sibirica (64.2%), Betula platyphylla (59.5%), Pinus sylvestris (53.9%), and Picea obovata (47.7%). Our results of DBH analysis show that the size-frequency distribution of Pinus sylvestris, Pinus sibirica, Larix sibirica, and Picea obovata was a binomial distribution in all the communities, suggesting that for the time being, these species dominate continuously. In addition, it is likely that Betula platyphylla will dominate rapidly because of its higher frequency of young individuals. This indicates the forest condition impairment in the forest of the Sanzai area.

Not herbs and forbs alone: pollen‐based evidence for the presence of boreal trees and shrubs in Cis‐Baikal (Eastern Siberia) derived from the Last Glacial Maximum sediment of Lake Ochaul

ABSTRACTA new accerator mass spectrometry (AMS)‐dated sedimentary record from Lake Ochaul (54°14′N, 106°28′E; 641 m a.s.l.) in Eastern Siberia covers the interval from ca. 27 850 to 20 400 cal a bp at ca. 180‐year resolution and contributes to a better understanding of the complex spatial vegetation pattern during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Non‐arboreal pollen taxa are abundant in the pollen assemblages (mean value ca. 92.6%), but boreal trees are represented by all major taxa that grow in the lake catchment today, including Betula sect. Albae (0.6–4.8%), Picea (0.6–2.8%), Pinus sibirica (Haploxylon type) (up to 1.5%), Pinus sylvestris (Diploxylon type) (up to 2%), Larix (up to 0.6%) and Abies (up to 0.6%). Betula sect. Nanae/Fruticosae (2–5.2%) and Salix (up to 3.2%) are the most representative boreal shrub taxa. Together with existing modern and fossil pollen data from the wider study region, the current record provides further evidence for the long‐debated presence of boreal trees and shrubs in Eastern Siberia throughout the LGM. Our results show that the Upper Lena was a region in which refugia for arboreal taxa existed and that far‐distant pollen transport can be ruled out as the source of the detected arboreal pollen.

An attack of Ips amitinus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) on arboretum in West Siberia: New host of invasive bark beetle among exotic conifers

Abstract Invasive populations of small spruce bark beetle Ips amitinus were first registered in 2019 in the southeast of Western Siberia. In natural stands of Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour), several hundred hectares of outbreak foci of the alien bark beetle were identified. In 2020, a local focus of the bark beetle was found in the conifer collection in the arboretum “Kedr” of the Institute of Monitoring Climatic and Ecological Systems SB RAS, 30 km from Tomsk. The bark beetle caused the main damage to the collection of pines. I. amitinus colonized both host plants Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and mountain pine (Pinus mugo Turra), which were previously known to it in the native range in Europe, and the local Siberian species Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour), Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.) and introduced Far Eastern Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc.). Demographic characteristics of I. amitinus studied on damaged trees indicate its high reproduction potential in Siberia. The bark beetle outbreak focus was suppressed; however, this plantation requires further annual monitoring of pest abundance and distribution, both to preserve the scientific dendroecological field station and to study the implementation of sential plant conception in relation to the invasion of I. amitinus.

<p><strong>Morphology and molecular data of the species of <em>Suillus</em> (Suillaceae, Boletales) associated with <em>Pinus sibirica</em> at the European northeast of Russia</strong></p>

The genus Suillus represents the largest genus of the family Suillaceae, forming ectomycorrhizae with coniferous trees. Here, we presented the first results of molecular research (nrITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA sequences) of the specimens of Suillus, forming ectomycorrhizae with Pinus sibirica, at the territory of European northeast of Russia. The six taxa (Suillus acidus var. intermedius, S. placidus, S. plorans subsp. plorans, S. plorans subsp. cyanescens, S. punctipes and S. sibiricus) are identified based on morphological and molecular evidence. The key for identification, full morphological descriptions, the color photos of basidiomata and information on their ecology and distribution in Russia and world are presented for these taxa. On the basis of the molecular approach, we confirmed the relevance of subspecies Suillus plorans subsp. cyanescens previously described only by morphological features. BLAST-analysis of Suillus placidus with untypical for this species brown pileus revealed 99% identity with the specimens of S. placidus from Asia, for which the color of pileus varies from white to brown.

Somatic embryogenesis as a way of Siberian pine biodiversity preservation: initiation

The article reports about the results of an experiment to initiate somatic embryogenesis in Siberian pine in 2019. The object of the study was trees from the forest seed orchards of Berdsk forestry in the Novosibirsk region. Immature cones were collected at the stage of early embryogenesis. 5 culture media compositions and 6 genotypes were tested. Intact and dissected megagametophytes were used as explants. Two stably proliferating embryogenic lines were obtained. It has been proven that the genotype and composition of the nutrient medium influence on the initiation of somatic embryogenesis. The most competent genotypes and effective nutrient media for somatic embryogenesis of Siberian pine were revealed. It has been established that dissected megagametophytes are promising to use as explants for obtaining somatic embryogenesis in Siberian pine.

Estimation and validation of stem volume equations for Pinus sibirica in Russia

Stem volume models using diameter at breast height (DBH) and height were developed for Pinus sibirica. The data were obtained from Irkutsk Oblast (Eastern Siberia), Tyumen Oblast (Western Siberia) and Sverdlovsk Oblast (Ural). Logarithmic scale models that are widely used in forestry, which are often used to model stem volume and tree biomass, were slightly inferior to models using the response at the original scale. The obtained models can be used for forest inventory, and the proposed methodological approaches can be used for modeling the stem volume of other tree species.

Study on Separation and Purification of Chemical Components of Dichloromethane from Pine Needle Extract

To study the chemical composition of the extract of cedar pine needle methylene chloride. Methods: The paper used silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography to separate and purify, and carried out structural identification based on physical and chemical properties and spectral data. At the same time, gallic acid was preliminarily separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the separation conditions of gallic acid were determined, and the content change of gallic acid after tannin was acid-decomposed was determined, proving that the extract may contain decomposable hydrolysis Tannin or compound tannin. Results: Five compounds were isolated from the dichloromethane extract of cedar pine needles, which were identified as: ferulic acid (1), osthol (2), β-phenylacrylic acid (3), paeonol (4), Magnolol (5). Conclusion: All compounds except Compound 5 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Формирование кедровников рубками ухода на бывших сельскохозяйственных угодьях

On the base of the researches carried out on the permanent study area silvicultural effectiveness of improvement felling was analyzed in soft-leaved plantations formed on the former agricultural lands in Khanty-Mansi Autonomons Okrug – Yugra. It was experimentally found that among 25–30-year-old soft-leaved stands there is Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour); besides this, nominal undergrowth of this species can be found under the canopy. Improvement felling can provide an increase in the share of Siberian pine in the composition of the forming plantations and even its dominance in stands. It is recommended to carry out improvement felling by the strip method. On the first-stage the felling of soft-leaved species in strips of 10 m wide is carried out, while leaving strips of similar width without care. On the second stage in 10 years soft-leaved trees are cut down in those strips where care was not taken. Felling of all the accompanying Siberian pine trees in a single shot is inadmissible, since it leads to intensive growth of herbaceous vegetation, sodding and exclusion of the Siberian pine undergrowth as well as dramatically increases the fire danger in spring and autumn. In addition, at the indicated intensity, the specimens of Siberian pine left for cultivation are affected by Pineus cembrae (Cholodovsky, 1988).

Postglacial Vegetation and Climate History of the Oka Plateau (East Sayan Mountains, South Siberia)

The first results of palynological analysis of the bottom deposits of Kaskadnoe Lake and a reconstruction of vegetation and climate on the Oka Plateau over the last 14.2 ky are reported. It is shown that approximately 1.2–12.9 cal ka BP (GI-1) the regional climate was sufficiently warm and humid to allow the development of a forb–shrub tundra with spruce and larch stands. Cooling at approximately 12.9–11.5 cal ka BP (GS-1) led to the predominance of the forb–shrub tundra in the lake basin. Siberian pine settled on the Oka Plateau in a moderate–cold and humid climate at approximately 11.5–9.0 cal ka BP. The warmer and drier climate, which prevailed in the Middle Holocene approximately 9.0–4.5 cal ka BP, resulted in the retreat of dark-coniferous forests from the Kaskadnoe Lake basin. The spreading of larch and Siberian pine coincided with the onset of Neoglacial conditions in the Late Holocene. It was established that the environmental conditions on the Oka Plateau in the Late Glacial Period and Holocene were generally controlled by the interaction of the western atmospheric transport and the East Asian summer monsoon, the temperature variations caused by the insolation level, and the specific features of regional atmospheric circulation.

Palynological diagrams of Holocene sediments and ice wedges at the mouth of the Seyakha River (Zelenaya), Yamal Peninsula

This article examines the sections of the high floodplain of the Seyakha River (Zelenaya) and sections of Holocene peat layers with ice wedges on the third terrace. Palynospectra from sediments and ice wedges of the high floodplain are characterized by a rhythmic fluctuations typical to floodplain facies. The presence of spruce pollen is related to resedimentation, since spruce pollen is detected in the samples with the composition of verifiably resedimented palynomorphs around 10% or higher. The change in composition of the pollen of Siberian pine, scots pine, and birch tree is associated with a change in wind drift, since fluctuations in the composition of the pollen of these taxonomic units do not correlate with fluctuations in resedimented palynomorphs. Therefore, the three periods of increased wind drift and possible increase in pollen productivity can be determined based on mid-period contrast changes in the structure of palynospectra. At the same time, the local peak of cereals is replaced three times by the maximum pollen of dwarf birch and alder. The absence of larch trunks can be substantiated by fires, the traces of which are observed in the section, as well as that larch at the northern limit of its habitat has crumbly wood tissue, which is being rapidly destroyed. Tree limb, needles, and cones usually remain, while the wood tissue is absent. It is assumed that ice wedges formed here 8.5-6 thousand years ago during a single cycle of the change in wind direction and speed , when prevalence of birch tree pollen with some alder pollen at a relatively low pollen concentration was replaced by the dominance of gramineae pollen, and then, dwarf birch pollen in the spring pollen rain. Palynospectra of these ice wedges indicates an increase in the sum of positive temperatures from 8.3 to 6 thousand years.

Around the World in 50 Restaurants

Around the World in 50 Restaurants

Геоактивные зоны и структура растительных сообществ в связи с новыми открытиями в космической геологии

The purpose of the work is to find out how plants react to such zones and whether their phytoindication is possible. Two territories of the Perm territory were studied: the Vishersky Nature Reserve and forests near Perm. The research methodology included lineament and geostructurometric analysis of space images and special maps using ring structures discovered on the Earth’s surface by Yu. I. Fivenskii, as well as phyto- and bioindication of small geoactive zones. It was found that in the forests near Perm favorable zones of such zones occupy 1.44% of the territory and within their limits the safety of common pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is 29–42 times higher. Phytoindication of small geoactive zones of 1.0 and 3.0 m by common pine was shown in the zones of influence of these zones: 0–18 cm — the radius of inhibition with the absence of trees; 19–29 cm — the depression zone with small trees; 30–48 cm — the comfort zone with medium and large trees. Two types of networks formed by zones of 1.0 and 8.0 m in size near Perm (on the plain) and in the reserve (in the mountains) were compared. In the mountains, with high geodynamic activity of territories, the networks are oriented in one direction, while on the plain their orientation is misaligned by 30°. In the reserve, large trees of Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.) were located on small geoactive zones of 1.0 and 8.0 m, and trees of Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) — on zones 1.0 and 3.0 m in combination with zones 16, 32 and 55 m. In the subgolets zone, ring structures of perennial plants were also found on the first two types of zones. In addition, along the edges of the swamps, chains of trees were found whose direction coincides with ring faults, and the chains themselves are similar to the structure of small geoactive zones networks, and this fractality requires field verification. The hypothesis recharge of plants within geoactive zones is proposed, which also explains the successful growth of trees on rocks, where the amount of available soil is minimal.

Comparative analysis of the competition of stands of different species composition in relation to the Siberian stone pine undergrowth

Under the canopy of the parent native berry-green-moss Siberian stone pine forest and derivatives berry-green-moss pine and birch forests on the Urals, using the previously proposed complex of light, root, and integral competition indices of the stand, a comparative analysis of the parameters of the Siberian stone pine undergrowth is carried out. Under the canopy of Siberian stone pine forest two main determining factors have a negative complex effect on the growth of the Siberian stone pine undergrowth: the light competition of the stand (the level of photosynthetically active radiation interception by its canopy) and, almost equal to it, the root competition for soil nutrition. Under the pine forest canopy with the combined negative effect of factors of light and root competition of the stand on the development of Siberian stone pine undergrowth, light competition is decisive. The effect of the root competition is less than almost two times. Under the birch forest canopy the main factor determining the development of Siberian stone pine undergrowth is the light competition of the stand. The connection with the root competition of stand is not expressed.

Genetic structure and postglacial recolonization of Pinus sibirica Du Tour in the West Siberian Plain, inferred from nuclear microsatellite markers

Abstract The total of 257 trees from the ten natural Siberian stone pine populations of West Siberian Plain, Ural Mountains and Kuznetsk Alatau were studied with the eight nuclear microsatellite loci. Differentiation of population groups indicates the possible existence of separate refugia in the past in the Urals and Kuznetsk Alatau. The northern populations of Western Siberia were characterized by a reduced level of genetic diversity, which could be a consequence of the founder effect in the process of P. sibirica migration from the southern regions of Western Siberia and the Urals since the end of the last glacial maximum. The genetic variability distribution among populations shows the uneven dynamics of Siberian stone pine migration from the zones of supposed refugia. The map of the proposed ways of Siberian stone pine migration from the zones of possible refugia was constructed, and it is in a good agreement with the results of palynological investigations.

Transcriptome sequencing and gene expression profiling of Pinus sibirica under different cold stresses.

Cold stress is a major abiotic factor that affects plant growth and geographical distribution. Pinus sibirica is extremely frigostable tree species. To understand the molecular mechanisms of cold tolerance by P. sibirica, physiological responses were analyzed and transcriptome profiling was conducted to the plants treated by cold stress. The physiological data showed that membrane permeability relative conductivity (REC), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malonaldehyde (MDA) content, peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activity, soluble sugar, soluble protein and proline contents were increased significantly (p < 0.05) in response to cold stress. Transcriptome analysis identified a total of 871, 1397 and 872 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after cold treatment for 6 h, 24 h and 48 h at –20°C, respectively. The signaling pathway mediated by Ca2+ as a signaling molecule and abscisic acid pathways were the main cold signal transduction pathways in P. sibirica. The APETALA2/Ethylene-Responsive Factor (AP2/ERF) and MYB transcription factor families also play an important role in the transcriptional regulation of P. sibirica. In addition, many genes related to photosynthesis were differentially expressed under cold stress. We also validated the reliability of transcriptome data with quantitative real-time PCR. This study lays the foundation for understanding the molecular mechanisms related to cold responses in P. sibirica.

Species-specific and Non-species-specific Elemental Trends in Tree Rings

The goal was to find out how consistent the elemental distributions in tree rings are. The dataset was received for a long-term afforestation experiment that included even soil conditions and a variety of conifers (Scots pine, Norway spruce, Siberian pine, and Siberian larch) growing in pure stands. The stands are a part of a long-term experiment of the Institute of Forest SB RAS. The experiment is located in the vicinity of Krasnoyarsk city. Relative contents of elements (counts) were received through the scanning facility of Itrax Multiscanner (COX Analytical Systems). Every element was attributed with two variables: concentration of counts and quantity of counts. A cluster analysis was performed in a four-dimensional space of standard deviations and linear slopes of the variables. The elements studied non-randomly distribute over the clusters. Three elements (Ca, Co, and P) display a high consistency of distribution parameters in tree rings as they cluster largely irrespective of species. A few elements (Mn, Pb, Cl, Cr, Ni, Sr, and W) cluster consistently within species. Therefore, for the first time, it was found that the species factor does not affect the distribution of some elements, but significantly affects the distribution of others.

Radial growth responses of two dominant conifers to climate in the Altai Mountains, Central Asia

The boreal forests of Central Asia play a vital role in biodiversity protection and regional economic development. It is important to study potential changes in the growth dynamics of boreal species in a context of global change. In this study, we developed a network of 34 tree-ring chronologies for two tree species, Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) and Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour). The network extended across a large latitudinal gradient (45°N to 55°N). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to detect spatial patterns in tree radial growth during a common period 1943–2004. Results indicated an obvious clustering pattern with chronologies being divided into a northeastern (NR) and a southwestern (SR) region. Bootstrapped correlation analyses of regional climate versus aggregated chronologies showed that tree radial growth in both regions was positively associated with summer temperature (June and July). Tree radial growth in the northeastern region was however positively associated with early spring precipitation and spring Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) whereas, in the southwestern region, it was characterized by negative correlations with early summer precipitation and summer PDSI. The warm pool El Niño-Southern Oscillation (WP ENSO) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) regulated tree radial growth through their influence on regional precipitation and temperature. Results suggest that tree radial growth in the region may decline with future projected climate change. This study provides a more comprehensive understanding to tree growth-climate associations across Central Asia.

«Шестиноги» носителей Пазырыкской культуры

The article deals with problems of publishing little known artifacts made of wood from the explored archaeological sites. The results of studying the so-called “hexapods” kept in the collection of the State Hermitage Museum are discussed. These objects were found in the 1940s during the excavations of elite burial mounds at well-known sites of Pazyryk, Tuekta, and Bashadar of the Scythian period. “Hexapods” constitute whole and fragmented sets of six medium-length shafts, round in cross-section, with the length reaching 1.2 m, diameter up to 0.3 m, and conical thickenings at the ends. They were made with well-sharpened knife from thin trunks of coniferous trees (cedar pine). Round and square through holes were drilled with a chucking drill and cut with a chisel at the upper ends of the shafts at a small distance from the flat ends. Felt cape-covers and bronze vessels for burning incense were found together with the shafts. A comprehensive technical and technological analysis of these wooden items has made it possible to identify several variants of functional purpose which the sets of “hexapods” might have had: ritual and commemorative as a tent for shamanic rituals; “Scythian bath” for cleansing and ablutions, or medical tent for treating colds and lung diseases. Physical parameters of “hexapod” shafts (material, size, and shape) are provided. The type of wood with specific physical properties which preconditioned its choice for making the object was established from anatomical features of its cell structure. Tools, techniques, and methods of producing these objects have been identified.

Reforestation OF THE Siberian STONE pine forests AT THE SOUTHERN LIMIT OF THEIR DISTRIBUTION IN WESTERN SIBERIA AFTER THE OUTBREAK foci OF THE SIBERIAN moth

Reforestation OF THE Siberian STONE pine forests AT THE SOUTHERN LIMIT OF THEIR DISTRIBUTION IN WESTERN SIBERIA AFTER THE OUTBREAK foci OF THE SIBERIAN moth

Полувековой опыт гидролесомелиорации в Республике Коми

The paper considers the results of forest drain¬age in the Komi Republic and forest research on drained lands. Forest drainage in the republic has been carried out since 1969. The total area of drained forest lands is about 100 thousand hectares. Since 1982, comprehensive research has been carried out on the drained forest lands. The territory of the re-public was divided into the forest drainage area. In the southwestern forest drainage area with a density of 0.7, the aver-age increase in additional volume, depend¬ing on the type of forest, ranges from 0.2 to 3.0 m3/ha per year. Drainage improves the condi¬tions for natural regeneration. In 75% of cases, the regeneration is satisfactory. Drainage posi¬tively affected the growth and regeneration of Pinus sibirica Du Tour, listed in the Red Book of the Komi Republic. Visual assessment of other rare and protected plant species found in forest drainage areas indicates a good or satis¬factory condition of these species and their ad¬aptation to these localization conditions. The total area of protected swamps in the republic (standard swamps and cranberry swamps with cranberries used by the local population for berry picking) is 0.5 million hectares. This area is 5 times larger than the total area of drained forest land. Swamps and forest-swamp com¬plexes recommended for the protection or gath¬ering of cranberries are excluded from forest drainage facilities at the project stage. Addi¬tional new information can be obtained using geographic information systems and remote methods, with the use of growing indices. The half-century experience of forest drainage in the Komi Republic, the results of forest drainage studies indicate that there is no real alternative to hydro-reclamation on forest peatlands. Forest drainage in the republic is the only method tested in industrial conditions to increase the productivity of peatland forests.