Dynamics of ground layers after experimental fires in pine forests

• Main Authors: N. M. Kovaleva, R. S. Sobachkin, E. Yu. Ekimova
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch Publishing House 2018-04-01
• Series: Сибирский лесной журнал
• Subjects: experimental burning; pine forest; reforestation; ground cover
• Online Access: http://xn--80abmehbaibgnewcmzjeef0c.xn--p1ai/upload/iblock/00b/00b56bfc0384f461ea117710eade9985.pdf

The influence of experimental burning on ground cover in pine forests of different age stands with dominated herbs and mosses in the Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe was studied. Experimental burning decreased species diversity, percent cover, and biomass of shrubs and herbs. Mosses degraded after fires. The species diversity and biomass of shrubs and herbs increased in 2 years after fire. The greatest species diversity of ground cover was in 60 year old pine forest in 2 years after fire (moderate intensity) (28 species). The percent cover of shrubs and herbs was below pre burning values in 110-years aged stand in 2 years after fire. The seedlings of Scotch pine Pinus sylvestris L. were 35.2 thousand units/ha in 60-years aged pine forest in 2 years after experimental burning. The seedlings of pine were 61.1 thousand units/ha and self-sowing was 14.8 thousand units/ha in the next year after fire. The number of pine shoots was high (51.1 thousand units/ha) and self-sowing was by 3.2 times more than in last year (47.0 thousand units/ha). Experimental burning of low intensity stimulated emergence of pine shoots in 110-years aged stand where their amount were 31.1 thousand units/ha in 3 month after fire. The reforestation was presented by pine shoots (31.5) and self-sowing (2.0 thousand units/ha) in next year after experimental burning. The number of pine shoots was 17.4 thousand units/ha and self-sowing increased by 11.0 times or 21.9 thousand units/ha in two years after burning.