Main trends of biodiversity dynamics after natural and anthropogenic "catastrophes" in spruce forests of the European part of Russia

Abstract

We analyzed the main trends of the change in the species richness of phytocenoses after catastrophic natural (beetle outbreaks, windfalls) and anthropogenic (clear cutting) disturbances. We examined the dynamics of the structural diversity of species richness of herb-dwarf scrubs layer with different reforestation technologies after the death of spruce stands. The study of similarity and ordination of vegetation showed the proximity of the undamaged forest to the unharvested stand, and the difference of these phytocenoses from clear-cut. The main determining factor of species richness was the intensity of phytocenosis disturbance after catastrophes. The reforestation dynamics of phytocenoses after catastrophic disturbances were analyzed. Clear cutting led to the formation of meadow communities with a sharp increase in the species and structural diversity of phytocenoses.