Dimensional, Age and Spatial Structure of Middle Taiga Postfire Pine Stands on Automorphic Soils (on the Example of Komi Republic)

A new understanding of postfire pine stand dynamics in middle taiga ecosystems emerges from this study, revealing that both stepwise-different-aged and conditionally different-aged stands form under pyrogenic influence. The research demonstrates that while tree distribution is largely random, weak aggregation of young trees occurs at distances of 2–6 meters, with undergrowth and self-sowing exhibiting group distribution at smaller scales (1–2 meters). Notably, the study identifies a shift in crown space towards maximum solar radiation in thinned, high-age stands—a phenomenon absent in other pine forest types. Additionally, young trees show a 'convergence' effect due to snow pressure-induced trunk inclination, leading to denser crown distribution compared to their base positions. These findings were derived from detailed morphometric and spatial analyses of virgin monodominant pine communities with fire histories ranging from 5 to 130 years.

(Ed.). (2019). DIMENSIONAL, AGE AND SPATIAL STRUCTURE OF MIDDLE TAIGA POSTFIRE PINE STANDS ON AUTOMORPHIC SOILS (ON THE EXAMPLE OF KOMI REPUBLIC). Сибирский Лесной Журнал, (6). https://doi.org/10.15372/sjfs20190611