The Structure and Condition of the Tree Layer of Indigenous Spruce Forests of the Subtundra Zone in the Pechora River Basin. P. 26–41

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630*182.22:582.475.2(282.247.11)

DOI:

10.37482/0536-1036-2025-5-26-41

Abstract

Dynamic processes in indigenous spruce phytocenoses have been studied in the challenging climatic conditions of the subtundra zone, moderated by the heat brought from the south by the waters of the large Pechora River. Field material has been collected on permanent sample plots during 3 periods (2005–2006, 2013, 2022) in spruce forests of different types. The dynamics of the size structure and vitality status of woody plants in indigenous spruce forests have been analyzed based on the variability of tree stem diameters at a height of 1.3 m and the height of undergrowth. The data obtained show that with an increase in the average diameter of spruce trees in stands of subtundra spruce forests of different types, the coefficient of variation increases. The distribution of trees by absolute diameter classes is characterized by a slight stretch, usually with 1 maximum shifted to the left. In spruce forests developing on swampy-podzolic soils, most of the trees belong to small diameter classes (≤10 cm). In spruce forests of the green-moss type group, the interval of diameter classes is extended due to the presence of large trees in the stands. This dimensional structure is typical for the indigenous spruce forests of the middle taiga. The distribution of the total stand of timber by diameter classes is described as a pulsating curve with a single maximum, which, in some cases, may be interrupted at larger diameter classes. The size of the undergrowth has turned out to be more variable over time. Under the canopy of stands of subtundra spruce forests, a continuous renewal process is being observed. Stationary monitoring of the viability and damage of trees and undergrowth, based on a visual assessment of the plant by the crown, has shown an improvement in both the upper layers of the tree canopy and the lower layers of the undergrowth. The stand and undergrowth, which have been characterized as weakened at the beginning of the observation, moved into the healthy category during the monitoring period. The results of the research are part of the environmental monitoring of self-regulating spruce forests in the Pechora River basin. Long-term scientific work on permanent sample plots allows us to study the variability of plant communities and their response to global change, which contributes to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying these changes, as well as ways of adapting to them. The data obtained will serve as a basis for further environmental monitoring and forecasting of the state of self-regulating Pechora forests.

Authors

Aleksey V. Manov*, Candidate of Agriculture, Research Scientist; ResearcherID: P-9089-2015,
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5070-0078
Ivan N. Kutyavin, Doctor of Biology, Senior Research Scientist; ResearcherID: P-9829-2015,
Acknowledgements: The work was carried out within the framework of the state assignment for the Institute of Biology of Komi Science Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences no. 125020501547-8. The authors are deeply grateful to Kapitolina Stepanovna Bobkova, Doctor of Biology, under whose guidance the objects were laid and research was started on them, as well as to the staff of the Department of Forest Biological Problems of the North of the Institute of Biology of the Komi Science Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, who participated in the collection of field materials.

Affiliation

Institute of Biology of Komi Scienсe Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Kommunisticheskaya, 28, GSP-2, Syktyvkar, Komi Republic, 167982, Russian Federation; manov@ib.komisc.ru*, kutjavin-ivan@rambler.ru

Keywords

subtundra zone, dynamics, size structure, indigenous spruce forests, vitality status, stand, undergrowth

For citation

Manov A.V., Kutyavin I.N. The Structure and Condition of the Tree Layer of Indigenous Spruce Forests of the Subtundra Zone in the Pechora River Basin. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2025, no. 5, pp. 26–41. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2025-5-26-41

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