Ecosystem Transformation (), 69-86

Taiga ecosystems degradation in Central Siberia following defoliation by the Siberian moth Dendrolimus sibiricus Tchetv., 1908

Sultson S.M. , Slinkina O.A., Kulakova N.N., Mikhailov P.V., Vorobyeva I.A., Romanova L.I.

The issue of large-scale degradation of dark coniferous taiga forests due to the Siberian moth outbreaks remains a matter of contemporary concern. The imminent forest dieback can be regarded not only as an ecological problem, but also as an economic catastrophe. The present paper sets forth the findings of an investigation into the current state and identification of successional stages in dark coniferous forests that have been disturbed by an outbreak of the Siberian moth (2015–2018) in Central Siberia. A field study conducted nine years after the onset of the outbreak revealed large-scale forest degradation that arose as a result of damage to forest-forming coniferous species (Siberian fir Abies sibirica Ledeb, Siberian pine Pinus sibirica Du Tour, Siberian spruce Picea obovata Ledeb.), followed by a significant increase in deadwood volume (standing dead and fallen trees). A forest inventory was conducted in disturbed stands, encompassing the determination of tree mortality rate and the volume of deadwood (both snag and coarse woody debris). The analysis revealed that soil quality had deteriorated due to the presence of a dense herb layer. Furthermore, it was observed that the area was being colonized by silver birch Betula pendula Roth. in the absence of coniferous saplings. The mortality of trees has been shown to result in the disturbance of the soil hydrological regime, thereby leading to the transformation of the entire forest site into a forest-swamp ecosystem. At the same time, forests affected by the Siberian moth experience a period of heightened emissions spanning several decades. This is due to wood decomposition and recurrent fires, both of which are known to have an adverse effect on the climate. Such consequences can be avoided by felling damaged Siberian fir and Siberian pine trees in a timely manner, before the entire forest stand is destroyed, and by implementing artificial reforestation projects.

S. M. Sultson
Reshetnev Siberian State University of Science and Technology
Prospekt imeny gazety Krasnoyarsky Rabochy St. 31, Krasnoyarsk, 660037 Russia

sultson2011@yandex.ru

O. A. Slinkina
Reshetnev Siberian State University of Science and Technology
Prospekt imeny gazety Krasnoyarsky Rabochy St. 31, Krasnoyarsk, 660037 Russia


N. N. Kulakova
Reshetnev Siberian State University of Science and Technology
Prospekt imeny gazety Krasnoyarsky Rabochy St. 31, Krasnoyarsk, 660037 Russia


P. V. Mikhailov
Reshetnev Siberian State University of Science and Technology
Prospekt imeny gazety Krasnoyarsky Rabochy St. 31, Krasnoyarsk, 660037 Russia


I. A. Vorobyeva
Reshetnev Siberian State University of Science and Technology
Prospekt imeny gazety Krasnoyarsky Rabochy St. 31, Krasnoyarsk, 660037 Russia


L. I. Romanova
Reshetnev Siberian State University of Science and Technology
Prospekt imeny gazety Krasnoyarsky Rabochy St. 31, Krasnoyarsk, 660037 Russia

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