КарНЦ РАН
в социальных сетях
в социальных сетях
Публикации
Vetchinnikova Lidia V.
To the problem of the diversity of curly birch forms
// Biodiversity of Fennoscandia (diversity, human impact, nature conservation). Petrozavodsk: Karelian Research Centre of RAS, 1997. P. 35
Widely known elsewhere in the world as "curly birch" Betula pendula Roth, var. carelica Mercl. in Russia bears the name of "Karelian birch". The peculiar feature of Karelian birch is its unusual timber texture which originates from the combination of wavy grain and dark-coloured brackets-, comma-, dot- or V-shaped inclusions especially noticeable in the cross-section. As a consequence its wood resembles marble in pattern and strength, and possesses decoratively valuable patterned texture.
The distribution range of Karelian birch is limited and discontinuous. As a component part of the ecosystems of the Northern and occasionally Central and Western Europe it is now under the threat of extinction. Karelian birch does not form tree stands. It occurs as micropopulations or separately standing trees. Its greatest resources in Russia are concentrated in the southern part of Republic of Karelia.
Most researchers hold a view that Karelian birch is a specific form of common birch (Betula pendula Roth) distinguished by bulges on the stem. Karelian birch is characterised by great variability of growth forms, stem shapes, bark colours and wood patterns. Karelian birch has been systematically studied since the 1920's-1930's. However there is no agreement yet concerning the diversity of its forms.
High-stemmed, low-stemmed and shrublike trees are recorded within the natural habitat of Karelian birch throughout its range. Present everywhere are forms with large protuberances and neck, with small protuberances and with stripes. However its only in Finland and Karelia that ringed form (R-type according to the Finnish classification) of Karelian birch is found. Considerable numbers of the trees of this species with dark-coloured bark grow chiefly in Belorussia and Slovakia. The reasons that cause the limited range and wide form diversity of Karelian birch are not clear yet. International interest towards this species is of economic nature which poses the problem of organising protected nature territories for Karelian birch and conservation of its genetic fund.
The distribution range of Karelian birch is limited and discontinuous. As a component part of the ecosystems of the Northern and occasionally Central and Western Europe it is now under the threat of extinction. Karelian birch does not form tree stands. It occurs as micropopulations or separately standing trees. Its greatest resources in Russia are concentrated in the southern part of Republic of Karelia.
Most researchers hold a view that Karelian birch is a specific form of common birch (Betula pendula Roth) distinguished by bulges on the stem. Karelian birch is characterised by great variability of growth forms, stem shapes, bark colours and wood patterns. Karelian birch has been systematically studied since the 1920's-1930's. However there is no agreement yet concerning the diversity of its forms.
High-stemmed, low-stemmed and shrublike trees are recorded within the natural habitat of Karelian birch throughout its range. Present everywhere are forms with large protuberances and neck, with small protuberances and with stripes. However its only in Finland and Karelia that ringed form (R-type according to the Finnish classification) of Karelian birch is found. Considerable numbers of the trees of this species with dark-coloured bark grow chiefly in Belorussia and Slovakia. The reasons that cause the limited range and wide form diversity of Karelian birch are not clear yet. International interest towards this species is of economic nature which poses the problem of organising protected nature territories for Karelian birch and conservation of its genetic fund.
Последние изменения: 20 ноября 2006