Carbon Emission by Soils in Forests Damaged by the Siberian Moth

In the southern-taiga low grass–green moss fir forest completely defoliated by the Siberian moth, the rate of soil respiration in the third year after the pest population outbreak was 1.5 times higher than in an undisturbed tree stand. This was explained by a significant increase in the abundance and activity of soil microorganisms in the pest-defoliated forest, which occurred due to the qualitative changes in the litter composition and the increased temperature and moisture in the upper soil layers. The rate of carbon emission from the soil in the defoliated forest was 41.7 kg/ha per day, compared to 28.3 kg/ha per day in the undisturbed fir forest.     

Geobotanical Indication of the State of Suburban Forests (an Example of Birch Grove in Akademgorodok,Krasnoyarsk)

The influence of recreation activity on grass cover was studied in a herbaceous birch forest within a territory of city development. Effects of the activity depended on size and arrangement of recreation sites. It was found that most of the forest was at the second stage of degradation, while degradation of forest edges was considered as intermediate between the second and third stages. Forest edges and glade-clump communities play a particular role in maintaining the stability of recreational forests.These ecotones are both barriers preventing introduction of alien plant species into a cenosis and centers of dissemination of ruderal and meadow species.