Modern Dynamics of High-Mountain Forests in the Northern Urals: Major Trends
In many regions climate warming has caused shifts of the upper and polar boundaries of woody vegetation and changes in the structure and composition of tree stands. Regions whose vegetation has not experienced large-scale anthropogenic impacts have attracted particular interest of researchers assessing the natural dynamics of stands. This work is devoted to the study of the age and morphological structure of the tree layer of mixed woodlands and forests on the Eastern spur of the Molebny Kamen' ridge (Northern Urals). The study is based on the quadrat sampling method and tree-ring analysis. The tree-line ecotone shows significant changes in the composition and morphological and age structure of forest stands that have occurred in this region since the mid-twentieth century, with the rising summer temperatures and increasing winter precipitation. Climatic response analysis, contained in 4 generalized tree-ring chronologies constructed for the Siberian larch, Siberian pine, Siberian fir and Siberian spruce, suggests that radial growth of the trees is mostly influenced by spring and early summer growing conditions. The results of the study can be used in forestry and forest management activities.