Research Methods of Timber-Yielding Plants (in the Example of Boreal Forests)

Петрова

2021

E3S Web Conf.

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The adaptive capacity of ecosystems is a key to maintaining ecosystem functions and preserving biodiversity at all levels. The research was carried out in the western Southern Ural low-hill terrains (Russia). We analyzed distributions of above-ground biomass of herb layer species in the primary spruce, long-term secondary birch 20-35-year forests, stable-term secondary 20-year aspen forests. Species abundance distributions (SAD) analysis allowed us to study the species diversity and the species structure of communities, to understand the mechanism of adaptation of the plant community to disturbance and the role of species biodiversity in this process. It became clear that only with sufficient species diversity can SAD be maintained stable, and the adaptive potential and resistance of plant communities to external influences can be preserved. In General, the SAD analysis can be considered useful and informative for studying the adaptation of plant communities. In addition, it is universal and can be applied to any terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. SAD can also help in designing artificial plant communities with increased resilience and high ecosystem functions.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Species abundance distributions: investigation of adaptation mechanisms of plant communities

Петрова

2021

E3S Web Conf.

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“…The studies were carried out on the basis of proven methods [40]. Environmental conditions, abundance, vitality, age and undergrowth parameters of woody plants, species composition, and projective cover of other vegetation were considered using an example of 30 sample plots 5 × 5 m in size, relatively homogeneously distributed across the mountain stony shrub-moss-lichen tundra.…”

Section: Sampling Procedures and Data Analysis 231 Pinus Sibirica Nat...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When the accuracy of determining the age using this method was at risk, the young tree was cut down at the soil level. The undergrowth age was determined by the number of annual rings on the cross-section of the stem base, measured using the LinTab-6 instrument (Pinus sibirica annual rings are clearly visible and show the age of the tree with accuracy to one year [40]). We could accurately determine the age by using the first method when studying most young trees under the age of 20.…”

Section: Sampling Procedures and Data Analysis 231 Pinus Sibirica Nat...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Regeneration of Pinus sibirica Du Tour in the Mountain Tundra of the Northern Urals against the Background of Climate Warming

Tantsyrev

2022

Atmosphere

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Climate is one of the key drivers of the plant community’s structure and trends. However, the regional vegetation-climate features in the ecotone have not yet been sufficiently studied. The aim of the research is to study features of Pinus sibirica Du Tour germination, survival, and growth in the mountain tundra of the Northern Urals against the background of a changing climate. The following research objectives were set: To determine the abundance and age structure of P. sibirica undergrowth on the mountain tundra plateau, identify the features of P. sibirica growth in the mountain tundra, and examine the correlation between the multi-year air temperature pattern, precipitation, and P. sibirica seedling emergence. A detailed study of the Pinus sibirica natural regeneration in the mountain stony shrub-moss-lichen tundra area at an altitude of 1010–1040 m above sea level on the Tri Bugra mountain massif plateau (59°30′ N, 59°15′ E) in the Northern Urals (Russia) has been conducted. The research involved the period between 1965 and 2017. Woody plant undergrowth was considered in 30 plots, 5 × 5 m in size. The first generations were recorded from 1967–1969. The regeneration has become regular since 1978 and its intensity has been increasing since then. Climate warming is driving these processes. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between the number of Pinus sibirica seedlings and the minimum temperature in August and September of the current year, the minimum temperatures in May, June, and November of the previous year, the maximum temperatures in May and August of the current year, and precipitation in March of both the current and previous years. However, the young tree growth rate remains low to date (the height at an age of 45–50 years is approximately 114 ± 8.8 cm). At the same time, its open crowns are rare single lateral shoots. The length of the side shoots exceeds its height by 4–5 times, and the length of the lateral roots exceeds its height by 1.2–1.5 times. This is an indicator of the extreme conditions for this tree species. With the current rates of climate warming and the Pinus sibirica tree growth trends, the revealed relationships allow for the prediction that in 20–25 years, the mountain tundra in the studied Northern Urals plateau could develop underground-closed forest communities with a certain forest relationship. The research results are of theoretical importance for clarifying the forest-tundra ecotone concept. From a practical point of view, the revealed relationship can be used to predict the trend in forest ecosystem formation in the mountain forest-tundra ecotone.

“…Comprehensive forest typological and soil studies were carried out based on generally accepted research methods (Ivanova, 2017). Overstorey and understorey layers was studied.…”

Section: Study Designed Sampling and Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The study was carried in July 2010. Herb cover was determined by fractional counting method (Ivanova, 2017): a wooden frame 1x1 m in size, divided into 0.1 x 0.1m boxes, was used in the research. To evaluate the species cover, each box was taken as 1%.…”

Section: Study Designed Sampling and Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of soil moisture regime on the species diversity and biomass of the herb layer of pine forests in the Ural Mountains

Zolotova

2020

Adaptation of plant communities is an important factor for maintaining their functioning and stability in changing conditions. The aim of our research is study of the effect of soil moisture regime on the species richness and biomass of the herb layer for old-growth coniferous forests in the Ural Mountains (Russia). The research has been carried out between 57° 00'N; 60° 15''E and 57° 05'N; 60° 25'E. The studied area is part of the Zauralsky hilly piedmont province, the Southern boreal forest region. Sample plots (0.25 hectares) were laid in pine forests growing in habitats with different moisture regimes: insufficient, optimal (stable), and excessive. The research was conducted in 2010. To determine the herb layer productivity, 10-20 subplots 1x1 m in size were laid on each sample plot. Data analysis is based on the One-way ANOVA and species abundance distributions. It has been established that species richness in extreme (insufficient and excessive soil moisture regime (Cowberry pine forest and Pine forest with shrubs and sphagnum) and optimal (stable) soil moisture regime (Multi-herb pine forest) were found to vary significantly, with soil moisture regime being a statistically significant factor. By contrast, herb layer biomass is maintained fairly stable regardless of the soil moisture regimes. ANOVA showed no significant differences between pine forests growing under different soil moisture regimes. It has been found that biomass is maintained by increasing of the dominant species contribution to the overall biomass and increasing of the approximation function graph slope. At the same time, the parameter β of exponential and power approximating functions is increased and can be considered as an indicator of influencing on forest ecosystems and a measure of their adaptation to insufficient and excessive soil moisture. Thus, species abundance distributions can be used as method to measure the effects of factors that determine forest ecosystem composition and functioning.