The Structure of Northern Siberian Spruce–Scots Pine Forests at Different Stages of Post-Fire Succession

Abstract

The process of post-fire recovery in mixed Siberian spruce–Scots pine forests (Picea obovata Ledeb.-Pinus sylvestris L.), typical for the European North-West, was studied in the Kola peninsula (Russia). We used the spatial–temporal approach to reveal the size structure (diameter at breast height (DBH) distribution) and vital state of Siberian spruce and Scots pine stands, tree regeneration and species structure of the dwarf shrub–herb and lichen–moss layers at different stages of post-fire succession (8–380 years after the fire). It was found that in both forest-forming species, the process of stand stratification results in the allocation of two size groups of trees. In Siberian spruce, these groups persist throughout the succession. In Scots pine, DBH distributions become more homogeneous at the middle of succession (150–200 years after the fire) due to the extinction of small-size individuals. Siberian spruce stands are dominated by moderately and strongly weakened trees at all succession stages. The vitality status of Scots pine stands is higher compared to Siberian spruce up to 150 years after a fire. The dynamics of regeneration activity is similar in both species, with a minimum at the middle of the restoration period. The results indicate that in Siberian spruce–Scots pine forests, the stand structure and regeneration activity differs substantially in the first half of succession (up to 200 years after the fire) and become similar in the late-succession community. The study of lower layers revealed that the cover of moss–lichen and dwarf shrub–herb layers stabilize 150 years after a fire. Changes in species structure in both layers are observed until the late stage of succession. The originality of the structure and dynamics of mixed Siberian spruce–Scots pine forests is revealed based on a comparison with pure Siberian spruce forests in the same region.

Radial growth of Pinus sylvestris L. under industrial pollution on the Kola Peninsula

“…На каждой пробной площади отбирали керны древесины с восточной -юго-восточной стороны при помощи бурава Пресслера на высоте 1.3 м у модельных деревьев сосны, которые относились к ослабленным и сильно ослабленным категориям жизненного состояния, которые наиболее распространены в лесах северной тайги [4,37,46]. Всего было взято 248 кернов (табл.…”

Mathematical Simulation of Forest Fuel Pyrolysis in One-Dimensional Statement Taking into Account Soot Formation

“…The choice of this particular type of forest fuel for research should be explained separately. In the Russian Federation, as a rule, coniferous and mixed forest stands pose a great fire danger [63].…”

Forest Resources Assessments: Mensuration, Inventory and Planning

“…This strategy involves using optical imagery and an infracanopy vegetation-index layer derived from multispectral aerial LiDAR. Starova et al [13] analyze the structure of northern Siberian Spruce and Scots Pine Forests at different stages of post-fire succession. These authors report that the stand structure and regeneration activity of the two species differ substantially in the first half of succession.…”