Excisional successions of vegetation and mammal population in the middle taiga of European Russia
L.G. EMELYANOVA, I.L. ERMOLOV
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
Keywords: successional changes, felling sites, restoration dynamics, cadastral reference map, taiga forests, plants
Abstract
The article summarizes the studies of excisional successions of vegetation and mammal population within the model territory - the middle taiga of European Russia. A cadastral reference map of the study sites with an address cadastre has been created. The areas of focus of succession studies have been identified, their spatial and temporal components have been revealed, and general features of successional changes have been established. Forty-two sources of vegetation succession studies were analyzed, 74 localities identified from them are concentrated in the western and eastern sectors. A low-density area is identified along the right banks of the Onega and Northern Dvina rivers, and in the interfluve of the Vaga, Northern Dvina, and Sukhona rivers. Studies lasting 11-20 years predominate. Their start dates back to the periods from 1950 to 1980 and from 1990 to 2010. Changes in vegetation are primarily determined by the transformation of environmental conditions as a result of the destruction and subsequent restoration of the tree layer. The felling technology has a significant impact. Small mammal population successions have been less studied: 35 sources were analyzed, 42 localities noted from them are concentrated in the western and eastern sectors. The studies are divided into short-term (1-10 years) and very long-term (over 20 years). The maximum number of studies took place during the period from 1960 to 1980. Based on the census data, a predominance of insectivores over rodents and a dominance of gray voles in the early stages were revealed; a decline in the total number of small mammals from early to late stages was noted; a tendency of individual species to certain stages was identified. Large mammal population successions have been poorly studied: 14 sources were analyzed and 16 localities were noted, with an increased concentration observed between Petrozavodsk and Syamozero. Short-term studies (1-10 years) of individual commercial species predominate. Most of the studies date back to the period from 1970 to 1980. A brief overview of international experience in studying excisional successions is provided. The article outlines possible directions for further research in the study of excisional successions.
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