Structural-functional organization of lower vegetation layers in tree communities of the upper timberline ecotone in the Polar Urals

Typologically identical (dwarf birch-herb-dwarf shrub-moss) open and closed larch forests growing on the same altitudinal transect have proved to differ in the structural-functional organization of lower vegetation layers. Coverage, general species composition, and species richness of the herb-dwarf shrub layer are higher in the open forest than in the closed forest. Correlations between individual species of vascular plants weaken upon transition from the open to the closed forest. Conversely, the coverage of the lichen-moss layer increases in the closed forest, which contributes to its role as a factor of selection of vascular plant species against the background of the prevailing influence of the tree layer.     

Postfire succession in a forest of the cryolithozone: The example of central Yakutia

The results of studies on postfire succession in larch forests of the permafrost zone are discussed. The main directions of successional processes in burned-out areas of different ages are described. It has been shown that secondary pyrogenic successions in larch forests follow the scheme of rapid regeneration without tree species replacement and the model of succession tolerance. Groups of plant species with different life strategies and indicator species characterizing different stages of the overgrowing of burned-out areas have been identified.     

Influence of Clear Fellings on the Bryophyte Component of the Broad-leaved Forests of the Bashkir Cis-Ural Region

The change in the composition of the bryophyte component of succession communities that occur in the process of natural regeneration at the site of clear felling of the indigenous elm—maple–linden forests of the Bashkir Cis-Ural Region has been studied. The vulnerability of species to the consequences of felling is affected by their substrate confinement, ecological amplitude in relation to the factors of temperature, humidity, variability of soil moisture, and type of life strategy. In the secondary aspen forests, the absence or low constancy of nemoral epiphytic and ground mosses was noted.     

Altitudinal and horizontal shifts of the upper boundaries of open and closed forests in the Polar Urals in the 20th century

In the Polar Urals (the Rai-Iz massif and Mounts Tchernaya and Malaya Tchernaya), altitudinal and horizontal shifts of the upper boundary of open and closed larch forests in the 20th century have been studied. Spatiotemporal parameters of these shifts have been assessed with the aid of the ARC/INFO geographic information system (ESRI Inc., United States), using our original large-scale geobotanical maps showing the distribution of different types of forest-tundra communities in the early 1910s and 2000s. The results show that tree vegetation has been actively expanding to higher elevations over the past 90 years. On average, the upper boundaries of open and closed forests have ascended 26 and 35 m and shifted horizontally 290 and 520 m, respectively. These shifts have been conditioned by climate warming and increasing humidity observed since the 1920s.     

Productivity of mosses and organic matter accumulation in the litter of sphagnum larch forest in the permafrost zone

Productivity of the moss cover and necromass accumulation in the litter of a sphagnum larch forest have been estimated on the basis of tree age. It has been shown that the total carbon stock in the litter of a 100-year-old stand, including organic matter not destroyed by fire, exceeds the corresponding value for the tree stand itself by more than an order of magnitude. The accumulation of organic matter on the soil surface inhibits the growth of larch. In particular, this factor impairs hydrothermal conditions in the soil and causes a rise of the permafrost table; as a consequence, lower layers of the root system die off.     

The Holocene Dynamics of Vegetation and Ecological Conditions in the Polar Urals

Palynological, paleocarpological, and paleoentomological analyses of frozen peat deposits near Lake Pereval'noe, the Polar Urals, were performed to reveal the main stages of change in the pattern of vegetation over the period from the beginning of warming after the last Pleistocene glaciation to the late Holocene. Nine to four thousand years ago, the study region (at the present-day upper boundary of open larch forests) was covered with taiga forests, as the climate there was significantly warmer. These were larch–birch forests with an admixture of spruce and, later, spruce forests with larch and birch.     

Fluxes of dissolved organic matter in larch forests in the cryolithozone of central Siberia

Fluxes of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in larch biogeocenoses and its export from the drainage basin have been studied in the zone of continuous permafrost. A comparative assessment of DOM input into the soil has been made on slopes of northern and southern exposures (as variants reflecting the current state and warming). The dynamics of DOM export in a creek depending on the increasing depth of the active soil horizon in the drainage area have been revealed. It is concluded that an increase in the depth of the seasonally thawing layer induced by global warming will not have any significant effect on the amount of annual DOM export. Reduction of DOM export may be expected upon a decrease in litter stocks under the effect of their mineralization and forest fires.     

川西亚高山人工针叶林枯落物持水与土壤渗透性能

为川西亚高山人工林水源涵养效益评价与林分结构合理配置提供科学依据，对该区不同恢复阶段的人工针叶林类型林地枯落物蓄积量及其最大持水量、土壤贮水与渗透性能进行了试验研究。研究结果表明：（1）林地枯落物蓄积量随林龄增大而增加，排序为：70 a云杉林(F)>40 a云杉林(C)>40 a云杉 落叶松林(E)>55 a云杉林(B)>40 a落叶松林(D)>桦木林(BF)>25 a云杉 落叶松林(A)>灌木林(SF)>裸露地(BL)，林地枯落物最大持水量也呈相同的趋势。（2）随土壤深度增加，土壤容重逐渐增大，有机质与非毛管孔隙度逐渐减小，土壤pH、毛管孔隙度和总孔隙度变化趋势不明显。（3）在0~30 cm土层，滞留贮水量在3632~7037 t/hm2，排序为：E>C>F>SF>D>BF>B>A>BL；最大贮水量在12294~23154 t/hm2，排序为：SF>D>F>E>A>B>BF>C>BL。（4）在0~20 cm土层，初渗率在080~2595 mm/min，排序为：C>D>E>BF>B>SF>F>A>BL；稳渗率在055~425 mm/min，排序为：BF>E>SF>A>B>F>D>C>BL。（5）各渗透率指标与土壤容重极显著负相关 (〖WTBX〗P〖WTBZ〗<001)，与有机质含量、非毛管孔隙度极显著正相关 (〖WTBX〗P〖WTBZ〗<001)；稳渗率与枯落物蓄积量显著正相关 (〖WTBX〗P〖WTBZ〗<005     

长江源区草地植被退化对土壤持水能力影响

选择长江源区的格尔木市唐古拉山镇作为研究区，通过野外实地采样与室内测试分析相结合，在分析草地植被不同退化阶段和不同土层深度下土壤持水能力特征的基础上，探讨了草地植被退化对土壤持水能力影响。结果表明：（1）在相同草地植被退化阶段，毛管持水量、饱和含水量和田间持水量随土层深度变化的特征基本一致；在相同土层深度上，毛管持水量、饱和含水量和田间持水量随草地植被退化的特征也大体相同。（2）在相同草地植被退化阶段，土壤持水量总体上随土层深度增加而减少，特别是在未退化阶段，10~20 cm土层的毛管持水量、饱和含水量和田间持水量比0~10 cm土层分别减少了12.38%、33.73%和7.64%。（3）在相同土层深度上，土壤持水量总体上随草地植被退化而减少，特别是在0~10 cm土层，轻度退化阶段的毛管持水量、饱和含水量和田间持水量比未退化阶段分别减少了41.52%、59.95%和27.03%。（4）土壤持水量与土壤容重、总碳、有机质和总氮显著相关，它在草地植被不同退化阶段和不同土层深度下的变化可能与地表覆被状况、植物根系数量和分布特征所引起的土壤容重、有机质等变化有关。研究可深化对草地植被退化与土壤持水能力相互关系的理解和认识，并为长江源区生态环境和水资源状况研究提供参考依据。 关键词： 土壤持水能力；草地植被退化；长江源区；影响     

Ecological and phytocenotic features of the bryophyte component of water protection forests on the Ufa Plateau

The composition of bryophytes in forests of the Ufa Plateau has been studied. The results obtained by ordination methods show that the coverage of epigeic mosses decreases with an increase in tree stand density and proportion of broadleaf tree species as well as in the coverage and average height of herbaceous layer. The main factors determining the distribution of epigeic mosses are illumination level, soil fertility, and the degree of soil development.     

Composition of plant communities in natural and technogenically disturbed ecotopes on watersheds of the Yamal Peninsula: Floristic diversity

Specific features in the overgrowing of technogenically disturbed areas with completely destroyed soil and plant cover (a sand pit, a causeway, and an off-road vehicle trail) have been studied in the environs of the Bovanenkovo Oil-Gas Condensate Field. It is shown that the vegetation of natural ecotopes and ecotopes disturbed approximately 20 years ago is characterized by a relatively high similarity in the composition of vascular plants. The total species composition of plant communities (including mosses and lichens) and their structure show a considerable loss of floristic and phytocenotic diversity.     

Climate changes and overstory recruitment of larch at the northern timberline in the Yamal Peninsula

Studies on overstory recruitment of the Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) in open larch forests depending on the time of seedling establishment (1880–1980) have been performed in the northern timberline ecotone on the Yamal Peninsula. Two periods of active larch establishment have been revealed: from 1900 to 1935 and from 1950 to 1970. A comparison of these data with the results of instrumental observations on temperature and precipitation has shown that the overstory recruitment of larch in valleys of northern rivers is largely dependent on July air temperatures in the first years of tree life, when seedlings grow 10–20 cm high.     

Indicatory aspect of the geographic analysis of plant communities with respect to floristic composition on mountain slopes differing in exposure (the Polar Urals)

Latitudinal geographic groups of vascular plant, moss, and lichen species included in tundra communities and lower vegetation layers of larch forest and open forest have been analyzed with respect to their distribution according to different altitudinal levels and slopes differing in exposure. Prevailing plant groups have been identified. The results were compared with corresponding data on the composition of plant communities in the neighboring flatland area (Kharp Research Station).     

Distribution of Tracheid Lumen Areas within Annual Rings at Different Heights of Larch Stem under Permafrost Conditions. Crown Dieback

Russian Journal of Ecology - Abstract—In the north-taiga larch forests of Siberia, on permafrost, there is a widespread phenomenon of crown dieback. To reveal the factors causing crown...     

崇明东滩围垦区芦苇湿地土壤盐分动态研究

2009~2013年对崇明东滩围垦区芦苇湿地10 cm和30 cm两个土层的土壤溶液电导率、水分、温度和相关微气象因子进行了为期5 a的原位同步连续监测,探讨了不同时间尺度的湿地土壤盐分动态。结果如下:(1)在年际动态方面,10 cm土层的土壤溶液电导率在5 a间逐年递减,年均降低8.10%,30 cm土层的土壤溶液电导率在前4 a逐年递减,年均降低6.06%,但2013年较2012年上升了16.34%。各个年份10 cm土层的土壤溶液电导率均值皆显著低于30 cm土层,且年均值的差异逐年递增。(2)在季节动态方面,各年份内,两个土层的土壤溶液电导率多表现为春、夏、秋升高,冬季下降的趋势,也多在秋季和冬季分别达到最大值和最小值。各年份间,10 cm土层春季和夏季以及30 cm土层春季的土壤溶液电导率呈逐年递减的趋势。(3)在日动态方面, 10 cm土层的土壤溶液电导率波动幅度大于30 cm土层,并且30 cm土层土壤溶液电导率日最大值和最小值出现的时刻较10 cm土层有一定的滞后性。综上所述,研究区在围垦后,耕层土壤每年都能以一定的速率脱盐,但在季节性气候影响下,严重的返盐现象仍可能在秋季发生,因而在秋季可以通过增加人工措施以防止土壤返盐。     

Main regularities in synanthropization of different vegetation types in the Republic of Bashkortostan

The contribution of synanthropization to the anthropogenic evolution of vegetation has been analyzed by assessing its level in approximately 260 associations and communities of 31 vegetation classes in the Republic of Bashkortostan. The results show that this level is high in communities of synanthropic classes Secalietea, Chenopodietea, Artemisietea vulgaris, and Robinietea. Synanthropization of communities under the effect of human activities is also characteristic of many classes of natural vegetation, especially those of meadows, floodplain forests, and ravine-gully systems. Some communities are protected from synanthropization due to the existence of abiotic or biotic barriers to the expansion of synanthropic species (communities of high-mountain areas and zonal forests, many aquatic communities, and mountain meadows and steppes).     

Depth profiles of radiocarbon and carbon isotopic compositions of organic matter and CO2 in a forest soil

Depth profiles of the specific activities of (14)C and carbon isotopic compositions (Delta(14)C, delta(13)C) in soil organic matter and soil CO(2) in a Japanese larch forest were determined. For investigating the transport of CO(2) in soil, specific activities of (14)C, Delta(14)C and delta(13)C in the organic layer, and atmospheric CO(2) in the same forest area were also determined. The specific activity of (14)C and Delta(14)C in the soil organic matter decreased with the increase in depth of 0-60cm, while that of soil CO(2) did not vary greatly at a soil depth of 13-73cm and was more prevalent than that of atmospheric CO(2). Peaks of specific activities of (14)C appeared at the depth of 0-4cm and Delta(14)C values were positive in the depth range from 0 to 15cm. These results suggest that the present soil at a depth of 0-4cm had been produced from the mid-1950s up until 1963, and the bomb C had reached the depth of 15cm in the objective soil area. The delta(13)C in the soil organic matter increased at the depth of 0-55cm, while that of soil CO(2) collected on 8 November 2004 decreased rapidly at the depth of 0-13cm and only slightly at the depth of 53-73cm. By combining the Delta(14)C and delta(13)C of the respective components and using the Keeling plot approach it was made clear that the entering of atmospheric CO(2) showed a large contribution to soil CO(2) at the depth of 0-13cm and a negligible contribution at the depth of 53-73cm for soil air collected on 8 November 2004. Respiration of live roots was presumed to be the main source of soil CO(2) at the depth of 53-73cm on 8 November 2004.     

Holocene dynamics of vegetation and ecological conditions in the southern Yamal Peninsula according to the results of comprehensive analysis of a relict peat bog deposit

A comprehensive analysis of samples from a frozen peat deposit in the upper reaches of the Khadytayakha River by palynological, carpological, entomological, and radiocarbon methods has been performed to reconstruct changes in the regional and local vegetation and climatic conditions during the Holocene. The results show that this peat deposit was formed from 8000 to 5000 years BP. During that period, the climate in the southern Yamal Peninsula was considerably warmer, and the present-day subarctic shrub tundra zone was occupied by plant communities of spruce, birch, and larch forests.     

上海城市河岸带对降雨径流氮垂直去除研究

在上海市城市河岸带人工绿地建设了微区径流场,进行了5次模拟降雨径流实验,研究了人工绿地岸带下渗流中氮浓度和去除率的时空变化。结果表明：人工绿地岸带对垂直下渗流中氮有显著的净化作用,且主要集中于土壤的0~30 cm以内,TN和NH4+去除率在399%和398%以上,NO3-+NO2-去除率除11月为负值外,其余月份均在100%以上;在30~60 cm深度,由于土壤氮的析出导致径流中氮浓度增加,去除率降低;而60~90 cm深度的去除率增加。径流场内下渗流中氮浓度具有明显的水平空间变化,随距入水端距离的增加,30 cm深度下渗流中氮浓度先上升后下降;人工绿地岸带对下渗流中氮的净化作用均随淹水时间的延长呈降低趋势,且季节变化明显,在10月和4月具有较高的去除率,0~30 cm内TN、NH4+和NO3-+NO2-的去除率可分别达635%、891%和416%以上     

上海市典型城市河岸带不同植被类型下土壤反硝化作用研究

为了解城市河岸带不同植被类型下土壤的反硝化速率及其影响因子，在上海市城市河岸带的长风绿地选择了熊掌木、硕苞蔷薇和矮生百慕大草3种植被类型，于2012年3月（春初）、5月（春季）、7月（夏季）、11月（秋季）测定了其下不同深度（2～5 cm、12～15 cm、22～25 cm和32～35 cm）土壤的反硝化速率和土壤的粒度、含水率、SOC、NH4+和NO3-含量等基本理化性质。结果表明:长风绿地3种植被类型下土壤理化性质和反硝化速率具有一定的差异性，但均表现为2～5 cm深度土壤反硝化速率显著高于其他深度；熊掌木和硕苞蔷薇2~5 cm深度土壤反硝化速率均为春初显著高于其他季节，而草地2~5 cm深度反硝化速率在春夏季显著高于春初和秋季；其他深度土壤均不存在显著的季节性差异；植被类型、深度和季节对反硝化速率的单一和综合影响效应（除植被类型*深度外）均显著；反硝化速率与土壤的SOC、NH4+和NO3-含量呈极显著正相关（p<001），而与土壤含水率和气温没有显著相关关系