Publications

Scientific publications

Геникова Н.В., Крышень А.М.
Динамика напочвенного покрова северотаежного ельника черничного в первые годы после рубки
// Ботанический журнал. Т. 103, № 3. 2018. C. 364-381
Genikova N.V., Kryshen' A.M. Dynamics of ground cover in Piceetum myrtillosum in northern taiga during the first years after clear-cutting // Botanicheskii Zhurnal. Vol. 103, No 3. 2018. Pp. 364-381
Keywords: plant microcoenoses, birberry spruce forest, ground cover, mosaic, ground cover structure, clearcut
The paper reports the results of a study of the ground cover microcoenotic diversity in the forest/clearcut ecotone in the first 10 years after felling. The diversity and size of vegetation patches were described annually along permanent transects 50 m long (25 m into the forest and 25 m into the clearcut). The studies have shown a significant post-felling alterations in the ground cover which manifested not only in the composition and abundance of individual species, but also in their arrangement, i. e. the number and size of mosaic patches. After the felling, the forest ground cover dominants (Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Dicranum spp. and dwarf shrubs of the genus Vaccinium) which remained abundant around stumps, among undergrowth and coarse woody debris, were joined by forest apophytes which typically dominate in clearcuts (Chamaenerion angustifolium, Calamagrostis phragmitoides, Avenella flexuosa). These species retained dominance in the clearcuts throughout the survey period, with a tendency to decline in abundance as the tree layer was forming. The microcoenotic diversity of the ground cover in the first years after the felling increased 1.5-2 times as compared to the original forest community. After the peak in the 4th year, a decline began, and by the 10th year the number of microgrouping types returned to the level observed in the forest. The marginal area, about 8 m wide, stood out for a more rapid regeneration of the forest vegetation. Compared to the central part of the clearcut, this area harbored more microgroupings dominated by forest dwarf shrubs (Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea) and true mosses (Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Dicranum spp.). The changes took place also within the forest community, namely in the areas adjoining the clearcut and up to 8 m away from it. These changes consisted in an increased abundance of relatively light-loving dwarf shrubs (Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Linnaea borealis) and mosses Polytrichum commune, Hylocomium splendens, as opposed to the absence of significant changes deeper in the forest. The removal of the tree layer has disturbed the original ground cover structure, and its condition in the first 2 or 3 years can be described as ‘unstable’ - plenty of unoccupied space, numerous variable species combinations. From the fourth year on after felling, a regular ’movement’ towards forest community recovery has been observed, gaining pace notably after the new growth had outgrown the herb layer.
Indexed at RSCI, RSCI (WS)
Last modified: October 29, 2018