Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
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Scientists from the NSU Climate Center studied the forest productivity of the foothill subtaiga forests of Western Siberia. The study revealed that the grass layer in these ecosystems plays a more significant role than previously thought, suggesting that the grass cover can act as an additional, significant and effective reservoir of carbon accumulation.
The background forest communities of the foothill subtaiga of Western Siberia, located on the right bank of the Ob River in the Novosibirsk Region, were studied. These forests are called hemiboreal or subtaiga: they differ from boreal (more northern) forests by their dense and multispecies grass cover, which can reach a height of 110 cm.
The research was conducted in two experimental forests: aspen and birch.
During the peak grass growth period, which occurs in the second half of July, the researchers cut all grass in the survey plots, sorted it by species, and dried it to a completely dry state. The species richness of vascular plants ranged from 45 to 60 species per 400 square meters, but their actual contribution to the biomass was unevenly distributed. The aboveground productivity of grass biomass is approximately 2.4 tons per hectare. Just two dominant plants—bracken fern (Pteridium pinetorum) and ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria)—account for approximately 80% of its total volume. Five additional plant species each contributed more than 1%. The remaining 30 species collectively account for no more than 6.7% of the biomass.
"The study revealed a number of important and largely unexpected patterns in the structure and functioning of birch and aspen forests. Despite noticeable differences in the external appearance of these communities, their grass layers were virtually identical in both species composition and mass. This grass layer pattern indicates ecosystem stability even when the dominant tree species changes," said Nikolai Lashchinsky, chief researcher at the Carbon Polygon research center, part of the NSU Climate Center.
The scientists paid particular attention to the ratio of phytomass between different layers. The mass of the annually regrowing herbaceous layer in these forests is comparable to, and in some cases exceeds, the mass of foliage in the tree canopies. Thus, the herbaceous layer represents a photosynthetically active layer, comparable in efficiency to the tree canopies.
"No less significant is the conclusion about the uniqueness of Siberian subtaiga forests. The productivity of their herbaceous layer significantly exceeds similar indicators in European broadleaf forests and is significantly higher than in boreal taiga forests. This allows us to consider the small-leaved forests of the Western Siberian subtaiga as unique forest ecosystems, with two equally active layers of photosynthetic activity—the tree stand and the herbage layer. This makes these forests extremely effective in sequestering atmospheric carbon and maintaining biodiversity," explained Nikolai Lashchinsky.
Material prepared by: Elena Panfilo, NSU press service
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