Main Trends of Biodiversity Dynamics After Natural and Anthropogenic "Catastrophes" in Spruce Forests of the European Part of Russia

Abstract

We analyzed the main trends of the change in the species richness of phytocenoses after catastrophic natural (beetle outbreaks, windfalls) and anthropogenic (clear cutting) disturbances. We examined the dynamics of the structural diversity of species richness of herb-dwarf scrubs layer with different reforestation technologies after the death of spruce stands. The study of similarity and ordination of vegetation showed the proximity of the undamaged forest to the unharvested stand, and the difference of these phytocenoses from clear-cut. The main determining factor of species richness was the intensity of phytocenosis disturbance after catastrophes. The reforestation dynamics of phytocenoses after catastrophic disturbances were analyzed. Clear cutting led to the formation of meadow communities with a sharp increase in the species and structural diversity of phytocenoses.

Main trends of biodiversity dynamics after natural and anthropogenic "catastrophes" in spruce forests of the European part of Russia

“…In the case of catastrophic windfalls, the scale of the loss of the stand and the ground cover varies, and the soil cover damage is minor [3]. With partial preservation of the forest stand and undergrowth in windfalls, only a redistribution of dominant species with a slight change in the species composition occurs in the herb-dwarf shrubs layer [2,4]. In areas of spruce drying during outbreaks of the eight-dentated bark beetle, the soil and ground cover remains mostly untouched, but the proportion of dead spruce varies from 0 to 100 %.…”

“…With the complete destruction of spruce forest stand (not only the dead trees) in the course of clear cutting, a radical change in the soil cover [6] and transformation of forest communities into grass and shrub communities occurs, which leads to a fundamental change in the vegetation cover. In newly formed meadow communities, biodiversity increases dramatically due to emergence of non-forest species [2]. Additionally, a metaanalysis of the results of 238 studies of biodiversity in various forests of the world revealed an increase in the species richness of vascular plants after catastrophic windfalls and death of the forest stand as a result of outbreaks of bark beetles and logging [7].…”

“…The massive use of clear cuttings over the last ten years has led to an increase in the slash area where meadow communities have formed. In new meadow communities the biodiversity increases dramatically due to the presence of non-forest species [2]. From the point of view of a biologist, this process cannot be considered negative for nature.…”

“…These conventional ideas are based on the comparison of data from different researchers, construction of spatiotemporal patterns, etc. However, identification of change patterns in species composition of communities can only be done by monitoring of the biodiversity of permanent sample plots in a series of phytocenoses along a relief gradient within a limited area (phytocatenae) for a long period of time after catastrophic disturbances [2].…”

Natural and anthropogenic extensive destruction of the spruce forest community of the European part of Russia: main trends of biodiversity dynamics

“…These conventional ideas are based on the comparison of data from different researchers, construction of spatiotemporal patterns, etc. However, identification of change patterns in species composition of communities can only be done by monitoring of the biodiversity of permanent sample plots in a series of plant communities along a relief gradient within a limited area (phytocatenae) for a long period of times after catastrophic disturbances [2].…”