Southern Taiga Forests Research Articles

Representation of the Properties of the Southern Taiga Forest Soils of the Central Forest Reserve by Remote Hyperspectral Measurements

Representation of the Properties of the Southern Taiga Forest Soils of the Central Forest Reserve by Remote Hyperspectral Measurements

Modeling Spatial Niches of Small Mammals Using the Example of <i>Myodes glareolus</i> in Mosaic Southern Taiga Forests

Based on long-term (2010–2014) studies carried out in the forest ecosystems of the Central Forest Biosphere Reserve, two models of the spatial niche of the bank vole (Myodes glareolus Schreber, 1780) were constructed using factor analysis (ENFA). Models with a sufficient level of quality characterize the characteristics of the species’ niche. The modeling results make it possible to describe the structure of the optimal habitat for the bank vole in mosaic southern taiga forests at different levels (scales) of spatial organization.

Representation the Properties of the Central-Forest Reserve Southern Taiga Forest Soils in Remote Hyperspectral Measurements

It is studied the representation of the texture and color of the soil on the Mansell scale, measured to a depth of 135 cm with an interval of 5 cm on the transect (length 6 km) with a step of 20 m, in hyperspectral data of the Hyperion instrument for 9 measurement periods from January to September. It was found that satellite image for May 24 is most closely related to all the characteristics under consideration. For the soil texture – the largest relationships are observed for depths of 7–15 cm, 45 cm, 75 cm and 120 cm; for color hue – 3–10 cm and 95–135 cm; for color value – 7–15 cm, 25–30 cm and 65–70 cm; for color chroma – 7–10 cm, 40–50 cm, 75 cm and 100 cm. The texture of soil is most related with wavelengths 579–702 nm and 529 nm, color hue – 641–691 nm, color value – 569–702 nm and 518–539 nm, color chroma – 569–702 nm, 508–529 nm and 732–763 nm.

Modeling Spatial Niches of Small Mammals Using the Example of Myodes glareolus in Mosaic Southern Taiga Forests

Modeling Spatial Niches of Small Mammals Using the Example of Myodes glareolus in Mosaic Southern Taiga Forests

Carbon Sequestration by Soils of Ash Dump Forest Areas in the Middle Urals (Russia)

The purpose of this article was to assess the participation of young soils of ash dump forest communities in carbon sequestration by soils of southern taiga forests, considering the physico-chemical properties of the ash substrate and forest litter (pH, TOC, TN, content of P and K mobile compounds, and exchangeable Ca and Mg ions). It was revealed that on three Middle Ural ash dumps (composed of fly ash from various brown coals) over 50–60 years, forest communities spontaneously formed according to the zonal type (with the dominance of Betula pendula Roth and Populus tremula L.) with poorly differentiated young soils—technosols. For the first time, as a result of using an integrated approach to assess the direction of forest ecosystem formation on fly ash dumps, a tendency to increase carbon stocks in technogenic soils that have not reached the level of zonal soils was revealed, as well as the dependence of C accumulation on some physico-chemical characteristics of ash was established. Carbon stocks in Technosols are on average equal to 44 t/ha but vary significantly. It was shown that there is a medium negative relationship between the content and stocks of organic carbon in soils formed on a technogenic substrate and the content of mobile phosphorus compounds in them (the correlation coefficient is −0.58 and −0.53, respectively). The average carbon stocks in the litter of technosols, which is the main source of organic carbon in forest soils, are 3.2 t/ha. It was revealed that the carbon stocks in the litter are most influenced by the content of exchangeable calcium cations and magnesium in it (the correlation coefficients are −0.68 and −0.69, respectively). Any correlation between the studied litter parameters and carbon accumulation in the soils of ash dumps was found. The study revealed that the carbon stocks in the technosols of ash dump forest communities are two times less than the carbon stocks in the zonal forest soils of the Middle Ural southern taiga. The stocks of this element in the litter of young soils are equal to 1/3 of the litter of zonal soils. The composition of the humus substance system formed in the soils of forest areas of ash dumps and zonal soils is similar. The results of this study can serve to fill gaps in the knowledge about carbon sequestration by soils and aim to draw attention to forest communities of technogenic ecosystems to consider the contribution of their components to carbon sequestration.

Reforming Forest Policies and Management in Russia: Problems and Challenges

The future development of forest industries in Russia, besides the country’s geopolitical issues, could be seriously undermined by the depletion of forest resources available under the current model of forest management that mainly relies on clearcutting mature coniferous forests and leaving these areas for natural regeneration. The introduction of a new model that prioritizes efficient forest regeneration faces many problems on the ground. The efficiency of the use of funds allocated by both governmental and private logging companies for forest regeneration and subsequent tending of young stands should urgently be significantly increased. The government should also develop pragmatic economic incentives to encourage logging concession holders to switch to the new model and to address the problem of the spatial shift (demarginalization) of the country’s forest complex from northern and eastern “green fields” to secondary mixed and southern taiga forests. Instead of harvesting low-productivity northern taiga forests of European Russia and remote areas of Central and Eastern Siberia, wood sourcing should be mainly concentrated in the immediate vicinity of existing mills. Moreover, the development of “greenfield” projects in wilderness forest areas that currently lack any kind of infrastructure should not be encouraged. The focus on the regions with productive southern taiga, mixed and broadleaf forests, developed wood-processing infrastructure, and high forest roads density could ensure the economically beneficial transition towards resilient forestry.

Динамика структуры популяции ели под пологом березняков южной тайги и смешанных лесов в европейской части России

A comparative study of a restoration process is conducted in combinational forests of birch and spruce, as a population under the canopy, in the conditions of coniferousdeciduous or subboreal (Moscow region, Mozhayskiy district), and southern taiga or boreal forests (Yaroslavl region, Rybinskiy district) of European Russia. The relevance of investigations in this field is determined by the controversies over the outcomes from the natural course of successional processes in small-leaved forests with spruce growth under the canopy. The permanent trial plots, which were used for examinations, are characterized by the high-density birch forests of the oxalis-blueberry group with a first-class growth quality at the maturity stage, between 60 and 80 years old. The dynamics of age and vertical layers are investigated for the spruce under the canopy and the parcel structure of stand with ages within the 20-year period. It is determined that the main part of the spruce population under the canopy is represented by the generation, which was established in the birch forests until they reach the age of 30. The age composition of the spruce population, the arrangement of renewal periods, and the process of tree falling at the beginning and the end of the birch forests maturity stage are practically similar. In the zone of subboreal forests the vertical structure of the second layer of the spruce population develops earlier, compared to the boreal forests. In the boreal area, the formation of the under canopy second layer of spruce and its development to the first one begins at the aging stage, which is reached by birch trees around 90 years old. It was concluded that there are no fundamental differences in parcel structure of the stand or its fragmentation. In the mixed birch forests under the age of 60–80 years old the following properties are observed: an increase in the monoparcellarity of phytocenoses, in the areas with a closed second layer of spruce rises the occurrence of parcels, the amount of parcel plots declines, while their areas expand. If the birch forests are older than 90 years, monoparcellarity of the phytocenosis structure destroys, the number of parcels increases due to the appearance of gaps in the canopy, spruce renews in the areas the birche group-fall or after the snowfall and gusts of strong wind. For citation: Deryugin A.A., Rybakova N.A., Glazunov Y.B. Dynamics of the Spruce Population Structure Under the Canopy of Birch in Coniferous-Deciduous and Southern Taiga Forests of European Russia. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 2, pp. 15–25. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-2-15-25

Threshold Responses of Canopy Cover and Tree Growth to Drought and Siberian silk Moth Outbreak in Southern Taiga Picea obovata Forests

The consecutive occurrence of drought and insect outbreaks could lead to cumulative, negative impacts on boreal forest productivity. To disentangle how both stressors affected productivity, we compared changes in tree canopy cover and radial growth after a severe outbreak in Siberian spruce (Picea obovata) southern taiga forests. Specifically, we studied the impacts of the 2012 severe drought followed by a Siberian silk moth (Dendrolimus sibiricus, hereafter SSM) outbreak, which started in 2016, on spruce forests by comparing one non-defoliated site and two, nearby fully defoliated sites, using remote sensing and tree-ring data. The SSM outbreak caused total defoliation and death of trees in the infested stands. We found a sharp drop (–32%) in the normalized difference infrared index and reduced radial growth in the defoliated sites in 2018. The growth reduction due to the 2012 drought was –37%, whereas it dropped to 4% of pre-outbreak growth in 2018. Tree growth was constrained by warm and dry conditions from June to July, but such a negative effect of summer water shortage was more pronounced in the defoliated sites than in the non-defoliated site. This suggests a predisposition of sites where trees show a higher growth responsivity to drought to SSM-outbreak defoliation. Insect defoliation and drought differently impacted taiga forest productivity since tree cover dropped due to the SSM outbreak, whereas tree growth was reduced either by summer drought or by the SSM outbreak. The impacts of abiotic and biotic stressors on boreal forests could be disentangled by combining measures or proxies of canopy cover and radial growth which also allow the investigation of drought sensitivity predisposes to insect damage.

Влияние погодных условий на медосбор в период цветения липы мелколистной в Удмуртской Республике

The study results of honey-leaf stands productivity in the Udmurt Republic, belonging to the area of the southern taiga forests of the taiga zone of the European part of the Russian Federation, are presented. Based on the data obtained at the accounting apiaries and control hives, the change in the honey weight gain was revealed depending on the weather conditions, the composition coefficient and the age of the linden stand.

Оценка урожайности ягодных ресурсов в Селтинском и Вавожском лесничествах Удмуртской Республики

The study of berry crops was carried out on the territory of forest areas located in the southern taiga forests in the European part of the Russian Federation, in the taiga zone and in the area of coniferous-broadleaved (mixed) forests of the European part of the Russian Federation as well as in the zone of coniferous-broadleaved forests. By establishing circular plots in the prevailing types of forest, the dominant berry crops were determined such as cranberries (Vaccinium vítis-idaéa L.), blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca L.). The dependence of their yield on the age and the stand density was revealed. The biological, commercial and economic reserves of berry resources are calculated. It is established that there are sufficient volumes for harvesting berries in the studied forest areas. Recommendations on the rational and sustainable use of these resources are given.

Состояние еловых насаждений в районе южнотаежных лесов таежной зоны в Удмуртской Республике

The study results of coniferous stands and the description of stands in the southern taiga forests of the taiga zone within the Udmurt Republic (on the territory of the Yakshur-Bodya, Igrinsky and Kez forest districts) are presented. The climatic indicators of the study year are presented in comparison with the average long-term data for the studied areas. The taxational characteristics of forest stands are given, the indicators of the morphological profile, humidity, and cellulose-decomposing activity of forest litter are presented. Studies have shown that the cellulose-decomposing activity of forest litter depends on its moisture content, which is associated with the values of the basal area per hectar of stands in the studied sample areas. No differences in the indicator of cellulose-decomposing activity were found in the sample areas in the Igrinsky forestry. The highest values of this indicator were determined in the sample area No. 1 in the Kez forestry. The lowest values of the cellulose-decomposing activity of forest litter were observed in the sample areas No. 1 and No. 3 in the Yakshur-Bodya forest area. The physiological and biochemical parameters of Siberian spruce (Pícea obováta Ledeb.) were analyzed and compared in trees of good and satisfactory living conditions, which did not show statistically significant differences in the content of chlorophylls and carotenoids in the needles. A significantly high content of photosynthetic pigments and tannins in Siberian spruce conifers was found in the sample areas in the Igrinsky forest area. Similar results were obtained for individuals of a satisfactory living condition, with the exception of the content of tannins in conifers. It was found that the high content of chlorophyll a in Siberian spruce needles is usually accompanied by an increased content of tannins and a low concentration of ascorbic acid. It is shown that in general, the potential of Siberian spruce individuals associated with the biochemical level of the formation of adaptive reactions is highest in plants in the northern regions of the republic, i.e. in areas with more extreme growing conditions. Materials were obtained on the basis of which it is possible to develop a program for monitoring plantings and restoring forest stands.

Ecological and coenotic characteristics of Vaccinium myrtillus L. in southern taiga forest communities

Materials in the paper characterize ecological range of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) in southern taiga forests of Kirov region. It is significantly influenced by illumination, soil humidity, richness and acidity. Parameters of bilberry contribution to lower forest synfolium, structural and morphological peculiarities of the species were defined, as well as productivity.

Seasonal variations in carbon dioxide exchange fluxes at a taiga–tundra boundary ecosystem in Northeastern Siberia

Arctic and boreal permafrost ecosystems in Eastern Siberia, considered crucial to the climate system and global carbon cycle, are particularly vulnerable to climate change. This study investigates carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange fluxes over northeastern Siberia from 2013 to 2015 in a taiga–tundra boundary ecosystem for which such measurements are scarce. The growing season (May–September) net CO2 exchange flux (NEE) was −39.4 (−60.1 to −20.2) gCm−2, with ecosystem respiration (RE) = 306.2 (288.1–317.9) gCm−2 and gross primary production (GPP) = −345.5 (−372.5 to −317.7) gCm−2. Microclimatic factors determining these CO2 exchange fluxes change seasonally. These fluxes are significantly affected by the timing of the onset of C uptake, which is reflected by changes in the soil temperature in spring and early summer, following which fluxes respond well to the photosynthetic photon flux density, especially for NEE. These CO2 exchange fluxes at the northeastern Siberian taiga–tundra boundary ecosystem are significantly smaller than those previously reported at southern-taiga forest sites. Spring snow meltwater-rich soil moisture conditions render southern-taiga sites as stronger CO2 sinks in June than taiga–tundra boundary ecosystem, which may be largely responsible for the pronounced north–south gradient in growing season NEE.

Orographic Factors as a Predictor of the Spread of the Siberian Silk Moth Outbreak in the Mountainous Southern Taiga Forests of Siberia

This research is dedicated to solving an urgent problem associated with the large-scale destruction of taiga forests by Siberian silk moth (Dendrolimus sibiricus) outbreaks. The dynamics of the damage to dark coniferous forest stands induced by the Siberian silk moth outbreaks in mid-altitude mountains were studied. A hypothesis was formulated based on the fundamental influence of the orography on the phytophage’s dispersal within the landscape, along with the climate, which acts as a secondary predictor—a catalyst for outbreaks. The study was carried out using Landsat−8 satellite imagery time-series (from 2018 to 2020). The data were verified using a field forest pathological survey of the territory. An assessment of the defoliated forest area and damage association with the landscape was carried out using an Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) digital elevation model. The assessment was aimed to detail the forecast parameters for an outbreak development in mid-altitude mountains using the orographic features—altitude, terrain slope, and slope aspect. Early warnings of phytophagous insect outbreaks in mountain southern taiga should be focused on the permanent monitoring of dark coniferous stands of the mossy group of forest types, covering altitude levels from 400 to 600 m, located on gentle terrains and slopes of up to 15 degrees. The greatest vulnerability to phytophage impacts was characterized as areas located at altitudes from 400 to 600 m. The upper limit of D. sibiricus distribution was 900 m above sea level. The results obtained provide comprehensive information on the Siberian silk moth potential reserves within the study area with the possibility of extrapolation to similar territories. The data will make it possible to model pest outbreaks based on orography and improve the forest pathological monitoring methods at the regional level.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN THE VISIM NATURE RESERVE: FROM THE VISIM RESERVE TO THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE

This article presents a historical analysis of human impact and further step-by-step nature reserve creation within the territory of the current Visimsky State Biosphere Reserve. From the end of XVII to the middle of XX centuries the ecosystem of low-mountain southern taiga forests in the Middle Ural region was strongly exploited by a local mining and metallurgical industry. The establishment of the Visim State Reserve in 1946 did not provide sustainable results but initiated research studies that laid a foundation for a subsequent preservation and the studies of the endemic taiga forests of the Middle Ural in the framework of the modern Visimsky State Biosphere Reserve. Since 1975 the science department of the reserve has conducted regular observations of the nature processes. The reserve has established long-term and efficient collaboration with the Institute of Ecology of Animals and Plants, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The joint research findings are used in practical solutions of the nature preservation in the region. This collaboration is also focused on the monitoring of the recreational pressure caused by the educational tourism.

Population Cycles and the Chitty Syndrome

Data are presented on the long-term population dynamics of small mammals (1982–2019) and variation in the body weight and length of the bank vole, a dominant species, in southern taiga forests of the Middle Urals. Spontaneous change in the pattern of dynamics observed in our previous study—transition from regular 3-year cycles to noncyclic regime—provided the possibility to estimate the influence of different factors on the Chitty effect (increase in body size at high population numbers) under different regimes. This effect was clearly manifested in the bank vole population with cyclic dynamics: the average body weight and length of the animals were greater at the phases of population growth and peak than at the trough (low) phase, while the same parameters of voles from the noncyclic regime had intermediate values. The body size of animals depends not so much on population density as on factors determining their physiological status (including reproductive status).

Эколого-географическая изменчивость таксационных показателей искусственных насаждений сосны обыкновенной на Европейском Севере

Приведены результаты исследования таксационных показателей искусственных насаждений сосны обыкновенной в условиях Европейского Севера России, показаны их взаимосвязи с географическим положением и экологическими условиями. Установлено, что наибольшая амплитуда изменчивости таксационных показателей наблюдается в крайних по продуктивности из сопоставляемых типов леса (сосняк черничный и сосняк лишайниковый). Forest plantings growing over vast territories have different taxation indicators, which is caused by geographical differences in their composition, middle age, and productivity. More detailed information can be obtained by comparing certain types of forests by geographical latitude. In addition to the influence of geographic latitude on taxation characteristics of forest phytocenoses, their variability is also manifested in connection with the ecological (forest-growing) growing conditions. The purpose of the work is to identify the ecological and geographical variability of taxation indicators characterizing the growth and productivity of artificial pine forests in the European North. The study of production indicators and growth in the geographical context was carried out in the north-taiga forest region (Yemetsky forestry of the Arkhangelsk region) and in the southern taiga forest region (Ustyuzhensky forestry of the Vologda region). The objects of research were 65-year-old birch trees, pure in composition or with a slight admixture, identical in the method of creation (sowing), areas of common pine crops (Pinus sylvestris L.) in the lichen, lingonberry, and bilberry forest types, where forest stands differ significantly in productivity. Field experimental material was obtained by the method of single measurements on temporary trial plots. For the laying of test plots, plantations of artificial origin were selected that were homogeneous in horizontal and vertical structure, taxation characteristics, and location conditions. As a result of studies, it was found that when moving from north to south, the main taxation indicators of the studied artificial pine forests increase. In addition to the influence of geographical location on the productivity of stands, its dependence on the type of growing conditions is clearly manifested. A distinct differentiation of the main taxation parameters of the stands was revealed, variability was revealed, and the reliability of differences in the taxation parameters of the artificial pine stands was established. Thus, for example, differences in the diameter of the pine forest of the bilberry northern taiga forest region with the same pine in the southern taiga forest region reaches 6 cm (29.1 %), in the lingonberry pine forest – 3.5 cm (26.1 %) and in the pine forest lichen – 4.9 cm (44.6 %). On the whole, evaluating the nature of the distribution of the analyzed parameters, it can be noted that the largest amplitude of variability of taxation features is observed in the most productive of the compared types of forest (blueberry pine and lichen pine). In lingonberry pine, they are somewhat smoothed, and the significance of differences in this type of forest is established only in relation to the diameter of the stand.

Производительность березняков Удмуртской Республики

The results of research on the productivity of birch stands on the territory of the Udmurt Republic belonging to the region of southern taiga forests of the European part of the Russian Federation, the taiga zone are presented. The dynamics of the area and reserves of birch forests in the Udmurt Republic is analyzed. Based on the sample area data, changes in the percentage of business wood yield were revealed depending on the type of forest, the composition coefficient and the age of the forest element stand. A comparison of birch stocks growing in different types of forests is made.

Ecological-coenotic characteristics of <i>Cantharellus cibarius</i> Fr. and its tolerance to human impact in southern taiga and sub-taiga forests of the Kirov Region

The paper analyzes plant communities with Cantharellus cibarius Fr. in southern taiga and sub-taiga forests in the Kirov Region. Golden chanterelle occurs mostly in pure pine forests and pine forests mixed with spruce and birch of green-moss, lichen and cowberry types in young to maturing stands; the crown density is low or medium. Species richness of herbaceous-shrub storey in the studied communities varied from 5 to 29. The ecological preferences of C. cibarius, defined with Ellenberg (1974) scales, allow to characterize the species in the following way: temperate climate species, shade-resistant, rarely found in conditions of total shading; mesophyte regarding soil humidity, prefers acidic soils with low nitrogen, but, as an exception, marked on neutral soils rich in nitrogen. The differences in the species ecological preferences in conditions of southern taiga and sub-taiga are insignificant. The hemeroby index varied from 0,05 to 0,33 for the studied communities. The average share of species tolerant to human impact was 13,23%, and the share of anthropophobic species 86,77%. These data characterise C. cibarius as the species capable of tolerating moderate human impact in southern taiga subzone, but being less tolerant to human impact in sub-taiga areas and coniferous-broadleaved forests.

Assessment of recreational forests by stages of recreational digression

The paper suggests standards of maximum permissible recreational loads specified for republics and regions of the Middle Volga region, characterized by specific forest-growing conditions according to dominant rocks and age groups. The sequence of determining the stages of digression is corrected through the attendance of recreational facilities and the critical number of visitors according to the given model. Based on actual recreational accounting it is possible to model factors to adjust the recreational capacity of the forest area to critical number of visitors. The study of forest areas for mass recreation is based on the method of recreational load evaluation. The use of refined standards of maximum permissible recreational loads will allow considering the peculiarities of recreational forest exploitation for the zone of southern taiga and coniferous-broadleaf forests.