Siberian Pine Forests Research Articles

Formation of siberian stone pine forests by chemical care for mixed stands in Western Siberia

Formation of siberian stone pine forests by chemical care for mixed stands in Western Siberia

Mountain Taiga in a Warming Climate: Contrast of Siberian Pine Growth along an Elevation Gradient

The growth and survival of trees in the Siberian Mountains are experiencing a strong influence on climate warming. We analyzed Siberian pine (SP, Pinus sibirica) growth within the treeline ecotone in high (>1000 m) and low (<900 m) lands. We used ground surveys, dendrochronology, and climate variable data analysis. We found a contrasting response of SP growth with increasing air temperature and moisture parameters along the elevation gradient. In the treeline ecotone and highlands, the tree’s growth has been increasing since warming onset in the 1970s, whereas in the lowlands, the initial growth increase switched to a growth drop since the beginning of the 2000s, with a consequent partial mortality of the Siberian pine forest caused by warming-driven water stress in combination with bark borers’ attacks. This mortality suggests the retraction of the Siberian pine range in the lowlands of the Siberian Mountains. The projected drought increase will likely lead to the substitution of Siberian pine with drought-tolerant species. The tree’s growth index (GI) dependence on air temperature and moisture variables includes two phases. In the first phase (since the warming onset in the 1970s), the trees’ GI was positively correlated with elevated temperature, whereas correlations with precipitation and soil moisture were negative. During the second phase (since the increase in warming in the 2000s), negative correlations between the GI and moisture variables switched to positive ones. The correlations of the GI with air temperature switched from positive to mostly insignificant. The wind’s influence on the trees’ growth changed from negative to insignificant since the 2000s within all elevation belts. Afforestation within the areas of Siberian pine mortality should not be based on the planting of Siberian pine but on drought-tolerant species such as larch (Larix sibirica) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris).

Air temperature changes due to altitude above sea level in the Northern Ural Mountains

The research is devoted to an urgent modern problem: the identification of temperature factors that limit the distribution and survival of plants in the mountainous conditions of the Northern Urals. The article’s aim is to determine the air temperature in four altitudinal zones of the southern part of the Northern Urals (Sverdlovsk region 59º30´N, 59º15´E) and to identify regression relationships of the obtained temperature data with control temperature data from the nearest meteorological station. Registration of air temperatures was carried out from May to September 2019 around the clock, every two hours in the mountain forest zone (at an altitude of 460 and 640 m above sea level) under the canopy of Siberian stone pine forests, in the zone of subalpine woodlands with elements of mountain forest tundra (820 m above sea level) and on a plateau in the mountain tundra zone (1030 m above sea level). It has been established that the change in air temperature at different altitude levels and at the nearest meteorological station (far from 60 km, at an altitude of 202 m above sea level) occurs relatively synchronously. Difference between average daily temperatures at altitudes of 460, 640, 820 and 1030 m above sea level and the control data of the meteorological station is 2.2, 3.0, 4.7 and 5.1ºC respectively. For all altitude levels, a reliable close straight-line relationship between average daily air temperatures and meteorological station data has been established. The altitudes of 460, 640, 820 and 1030 m above sea level correspond to the coefficients of determination ( R 2) equal to 0.96, 0.95, 0.92 and 0.88. The relationship of the minimum temperatures of the corresponding altitude levels with the control data is also quite high ( R 2 is not lower than 0.7). With the help of the identified relationships and the obtained regression equations, it is possible to retrospectively restore the dynamics of the thermal regime according to the meteorological station data for mountain habitats of different altitudes in the southern part of the Northern Urals over a long period. Including extreme critical temperatures, which act as factors limiting the resettlement and survival of plants and determine the ecosystem biodiversity.

Seed yield structure in taiga and sub-settlement Siberian stone pine forests: level, and nature of differences

On the example of Siberian stone pine, seed productivity was analysed in two stands that differed in origin and formation conditions. The cone yield was analysed in years with different levels of seed production in the period from 2016 to 2019. In terms of the number of cones per tree, the sub-settlement Siberian stone pine forest was 2-3 times superior to the taiga Siberian stone pine forest. The level of individual variability in the number of cones in the near-settlement Siberian stone pine forest was significantly lower than in the taiga forest. There is reason to believe that the high level of variability is likely related to a more pronounced differentiation of the stand by crown size. The number of dead ovules in the Siberian stone pine forest in settlement is 60-70% higher than in the taiga forest. Due to high “mortality” of ovules and high variability of this trait, the number of filled seeds in the near-settlement Siberian stone pine forest is much lower, and variability in the number of complete seeds is much higher than in taiga Siberian stone pine forest. When there are few filled seeds in a cone, the size of each of them increases. Therefore, the average weight of one filled seed is higher in the subsettlement Siberian stone pine forest than in the taiga forest. Thus, the quality of the cones in the years of average and especially high yield in the near-settlement Siberian stone pine forest is much lower, and the level of variability of the traits that characterise it is much higher, and the distribution of the traits is characterised by a pronounced negative kurtosis. Obviously, these peculiarities of the near-settlement Siberian stone pine forest are related to human interference in the course of its development, which disturbed the course of natural selection and deformed the genotypic composition of the population.

Regeneration of Pinus sibirica Du Tour as a result of trophic relationships with the thin-billed nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes macrorhynchos Brehm C L)

Identifying the patterns of dynamics of natural populations of woody plants at the stage of their renewal is one of the main problems of forest ecology. The reforestation process is determined by both the dynamics of seed production and the specificity of seed dispersal of forest tree species. The five-needled pine renewal the Cembrae subsection with wingless seeds depends on birds of the genus Nucifraga sp., which store and spread their seeds. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between seed production and regeneration of Pinus sibirica Du Tour using the thin-billed nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes macrorhynchos Brehm C. L.) as a mediator. Long-term studies of these relationships have been carried out in the Siberian pine forests of the North Ural Mountains. As a result, a paradoxical conclusion is made that the number of Nucifraga birds during the period of storing and spreading of seeds in the previous year is a key factor in the abundance of Pinus sibirica seedlings. In turn, the number of seeds, both from the previous year and the current year, affects the number of Nucifraga birds.

Impact of Windblow on the Structure and Phytomass of Siberian Pine and Birch Forests of the Central Sikhote-Alin

Impact of Windblow on the Structure and Phytomass of Siberian Pine and Birch Forests of the Central Sikhote-Alin

Peculiarities of forming and functioning of Siberian stone pine forests of Altai

Peculiarities of forming and functioning of Siberian stone pine forests of Altai

Droughts Are Not the Likely Primary Cause for Abies sibirica and Pinus sibirica Forest Dieback in the South Siberian Mountains

Background. Since the mid-20th century, massive dieback of coniferous forests has been observed in the temperate and boreal zones across North America and Northern Eurasia. The first hypotheses explaining forest dieback were associated with industrial air pollution (acid rain). At the end of the century, new hypotheses emerged that supported critical climate-induced aridization to explain forest dieback. Many studies were based on the SPEI (Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index) drought index. Our goals were to investigate if the SPEI drought index was a suitable metric to reflect drought conditions in wet and moist dark-needled forests in the South Siberian Mountains (Mts) and if droughts trigger the dieback of those forests. Methods. We calculated the SPEI drought index, the annual moisture index AMI, potential evapotranspiration PET, and water balance dynamics for the period 1961–2019 for four transects in the South Siberian Mts. where decline/dieback of dark-needled Siberian pine and fir forests were identified in situ. Climate data from nine weather stations located at lower and upper elevations of each transect were used to calculate climatic index dynamics for the 1961–2019 period to identify dry and wet phases of the period. Results. Our findings showed that climatic moisture/dryness indices have rarely gone down to high risk levels during the last 60 years (1961–2019). AMI did not reach the critical limit, 2.25, characteristic of the lower border for the dark-needled taiga. SPEI values < −1.5 represent drought stress conditions for dark-needled conifers at the lower border, and these conditions occurred 3–4 times during the 60-year period. However, the annual water balance stayed positive in those years in wet and moist forests at mid-to-high elevations. Trees are known to survive occasional (1–2) dry years. We found that dark-needled conifer dieback often occurs in wet years with plentiful rain rather than in drought years. We found forest dieback was associated with the westerlies that bring atmospheric pollution from the west at 50–56 N latitudes, where the air masses cross populated regions that have widespread industrial complexes. Conclusions. We concluded that the observed decline of dark-needled conifers at middle-to-high elevations across the South Siberia’s Mts was conditioned by several plausible causes, among which air pollution seems to be more credible, rather than dry climatic conditions, as cited in recent literature. Results are essential for understanding these ecosystems and others as our planet changes. Other causes and mechanisms should be further investigated, which would necessitate creating infrastructure that supports multi-disciplinary, inter-agency teamwork of plant physiologists, foresters, chemists, etc.

Гнездовая биология обыкновенной горихвостки Phoenicunis phoenicurus (L., 1758) на юго-востоке Западной Сибири

Гнездовая биология обыкновенной горихвостки Phoenicunis phoenicurus (L., 1758) на юго-востоке Западной Сибири

Atmospheric Methane Consumption and Methanotroph Communities in West Siberian Boreal Upland Forest Ecosystems

Upland forest ecosystems are recognized as net sinks for atmospheric methane (CH4), one of the most impactful greenhouse gases. Biological methane uptake in these ecosystems occurs due to the activity of aerobic methanotrophic bacteria. Russia hosts one-fifth of the global forest area, with the most extensive forest landscapes located in West Siberia. Here, we report seasonal CH4 flux measurements conducted in 2018 in three types of stands in West Siberian middle taiga–Siberian pine, Aspen, and mixed forests. High rates of methane uptake of up to −0.184 mg CH4 m−2 h−1 were measured by a static chamber method, with an estimated total growing season consumption of 4.5 ± 0.5 kg CH4 ha−1. Forest type had little to no effect on methane fluxes within each season. Soil methane oxidation rate ranged from 0 to 8.1 ng CH4 gDW−1 h−1 and was negatively related to water-filled pore space. The microbial soil communities were dominated by the Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria, Acidobacteriota and Actinobacteriota. The major group of 16S rRNA gene reads from methanotrophs belonged to uncultivated Beijerinckiaceae bacteria. Molecular identification of methanotrophs based on retrieval of the pmoA gene confirmed that Upland Soil Cluster Alpha was the major bacterial group responsible for CH4 oxidation.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE SMALL SPRUCE BARK BEETLE <i>IPS AMITINUS</i> (EICHHOFF, 1872) IN WESTERN SIBERIA

The data on distribution of small spruce bark beetle Ips amitinus (Eichh.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), a new invasive pest of European origin on the territory of Western Siberia are presented. Alien bark beetle species was recorded in the Siberian pine forests of the Tomsk, Kemerovo and Novosibirsk regions. According to the modern data the total invasion range is more than 30 thousand km² with a tendency to further expansion. The number outbreaks of I. amitinus in Siberian pine forests near settlements, in nature preservations and plantations of Pinus sibirica Du Tour cause significant harm to pine-nut harvesting and selective breeding.

Biological productivity of pine stands growing in southern mountain dark taiga of Krasnoyarsk krai

The research is devoted to studying the biological productivity of modal Siberian pine stands of the Siberian taiga zone (southern ecoregions). Forest stands of the IV bonitet class, including Bilberry- and Bergenia-dominated forest types, were studied. The study was based on mathematical modeling of the forest stand growth combined with the conversion-volumetric method for determining the amount of phytomass converted to sequestered carbon. Tables were proposed that reflect the quantitative characteristics of the age dynamics in phytomass and the carbon contained in it. The range of changes in the phytomass in modal Siberian pine stands throughout all age classes in the Bilberry-dominated forest type was from 40.2 to 297.7 t m−3, in the Bergenia-dominated forest type - from 52.6 to 292.1 t m−3. In Siberian pine forests of the IV bonitet class, carbon pools were concentrated in the Bilberry-dominated type from 37.5 to 147.6 t⋅C⋅ha−1, in the Bergenia-dominated type - from 48.1 to 147.2 t⋅C⋅ha−1. The results supplemented the existing database on the biological productivity of taiga forests and can be used in organizing forest monitoring and implementing regional environmental programs, including calculating the carbon cycle.

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.

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

System for automated environmental monitoring using remote sensing data of the Earth from open data sources

Environmental monitoring using remote sensing data requires an analyst to perform a large amount of routine work related to downloading, processing and analyzing data, especially in cases when the study area is covered with a large number of satellite imagery. The paper presents the results of the design and software implementation of the system that automates downloading and processing of remotely sensed data according to developed scenarios and, thus, greatly simplifies the processing of satellite imagery. It provides the description of tools for accessing data from the archive of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and describes the data flow in the system. The paper gives an analysis of results obtained using the developed system on the example of monitoring the state of Siberian pine forests of the Tomsk region.

Forest cover dynamics of the Bazoy Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) forest from 1915 to 2015

Abstract The article considers the long-term (100 years) dynamics of the forest cover of the southernmost unit of Siberian pine forests on the West Siberian plain. A key feature of forest management is that Siberian pine seeds are a valuable food product and, when cutting forests, this tree species, as a rule, is preserved. The basis of the experimental data was the material of the national forest inventories of 1915, 1974 and 2015 for a total area of 1,420.41 ha. During the period from 1915 to 2015, the forested area changed slightly (96.2 and 94.0%), while the share of Siberian pine stands increased significantly from 48.4 to 58.7%. Grassy Siberian pine forests (32.1%) of optimal age (120–140 years), which are characterised by the best seed productivity and the largest share of Siberian pine in the community (77%), predominate. Basically, human economic activity results in an increase in the area of Siberian pine stands, when deciduous stands with Siberian pine undergrowth are used for fuel and as building material. A decrease in the area of Siberian pine forests occurs mainly under the impact of fires. In the conflagrations of 1915–1920, 7 to 38% of silver birch forests have no Siberian pine undergrowth and are considered long-term secondary communities. In the remaining area, the proportion of Siberian pine undergrowth is 20–30% with a density of 800–1200 seedlings ha−1, which is sufficient for the natural formation of Siberian pine forests.

Структура ценопопуляций ключевых видов горно-таежных кедровников Восточного Саяна

Understanding of the key species coenopopulations structure of late-successional forest communities serve as a model of the forest ecosystems state and stability in the organization of sustainable forest management and conservation of biological diversity. The ontogenetic and age structures of cenopopulations of the key species, Pinus sibirica DuTour and Abies sibirica Ledeb., were studied in a climax S Siberian pine forest with Vaccinium myrtillus L. and green hypnum mosses (the most common forest type among taiga forests of the East Sayan mountains). The permanent sample plot (50×50 m) was located in the northeastern part of the Idarskoe Belogorye ridge of the East Sayan in the middle part of a westerly slope with a steepness of 2 degrees, at an elevation of 1000 m a.s.l. (54°44'N, 96°07'E). The forest stand had low productivity (quality class V), high closeness of crowns (about 1.0) and mixed composition with predominance of P. sibirica, which are characteristic of the mountain-taiga cedar forests of the Eastern Sayan (See Table.). We performed general geobotanical description, measurement of size and age, assessment of ontogenetic and sanitary states of each tree, as well as assessment of reforestation on the sample plot. P. sibirica coenopopopulation had a wide age amplitude (from 1 to 200 years) and absolutely uneven-aged structure, mass reforestation (more than 3000 ind./ha), large sizes of mature individuals (maximum diameter - 58 cm, height - 21.3 m), predominance of the number (70% of the total density of the forest stand) and timber stock (95%). The ontogenetic structure of P. sibirica cenopopulation was characterized by a normal state (See Fig. 1 and 2) with a sharp peak of the distribution and distinct left-handed skewness (coefficient of asymmetry - 2.0; kurtosis - 4.1). This corresponds with the concept of consistent self-reproduction and stability of forest ecosystems. A. sibirica was inferior in terms of the reforestation number (1575 ind./ha), life expectancy (up to 110 years) and the size of mature trees (maximum diameter - 22.7 cm, height - 16 m). The ontogenetic structure of A. sibirica cenopopulation (See Fig. 1 and 3) is characterized by a complete spectrum and more distinct left-handed skewness. Thus, P. sibirica had a clearly expressed competitive population strategy. A. sibirica showed indications of phytocenotic tolerance. It is obvious that sustainable forest ecosystems in the absence of anthropogenic pressure in the mountain-taiga forest belt conditions is formed in the process of continuous change of P. sibirica age generations.

Fluorescence procedures to assess the photosynthetic resilience in Scots pines after a surface fire

Forest fire represents one of the most serious abiotic stress factors that influence the function and productivity of ecosystems globally. Siberian pine forests are often exposed to forest fires but they are not always harmful to them. We have analyzed the effects of repeated heat stress on the photosynthetic apparatus of Scotch pines before and after surface fire exposure that occurred in the growing season in 2014. The survey area was the forest steppe zone of Krasnoyarsk region (South Siberia). First, we investigated the changes in the temperature-dependent responses of photosynthesis in the needles by means of fast and delayed chlorophyll fluorescence. Our results are indicative of some acclimation of Scotch pines after fire to the repeated high temperature stress. Also, this paper discusses the possibility of using chlorophyll fluorescence parameters for evaluating the presence of physiological changes after the fire affects. The time after fire effect and growth season were found to be important to assess the repair of photosynthesis and pigment content.

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.).

Динамика радиального прироста кедра сибирского Pinus sibirica Du Tour при различных режимах рубок уход

Creation and formation of Siberian pine forests for various purposes, and especially Siberian pine seed orchards, is an urgent issue of Russian forestry. The article deals with the dynamics of the radial growth of Siberian pine Pinus sibirica Du Tour trees after thinning with different modes (method, number of methods, etc.). The analysis was performed both at the stand, and tree levels. The studies were carried out at the experimental plots located in the Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous district and Tyumen region in the middle taiga subzone. As a result of the research it has been established that the response of Siberian pine to thinning depends on intensity, number of methods and timing, as well as on age and morphological structure of Siberian pine on clearings and under the canopy of secondary forests. It was found that extensive (low density) Siberian pine seed orchards are formed both under intensive and systematic thinning. In this case, the average radial growth ranges from 3 to 5 mm/yr, which provides not only a rhythmic progressive growth, but also physiological development. Thereby, after 30–35 years substantially all trees have already entered the generative phase and actively seeding. Single thinning, especially with small selection (less than 50 %) leads to the formation of intensive (high density) seed orchards with an average growth of trunk from 2 to 3 mm/yr. Overgdense, aside from reduction of Siberian pine radial growth, slows down the rate of ontogenetic stages and phases. As a result, in these seed orchards there are trees that have never given cones.For citation: Dynamics of the Radial Growth of Siberian Pine Pinus sibirica Du Tour under Different Thinning Modes. Lesnoy Zhurnal [Russian Forestry Journal], 2019, no. 6, pp. 9–24.DOI: 10.17238/issn0536-1036.2019.6.9