Journal of Siberian Federal University. Biology / Types of Ecological Upper Tree Lines at Dalniy Taganai Mountain in the Southern Urals

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Issue
Journal of Siberian Federal University. Biology. 2018 11 (3)
Authors
Gurskaya, Marina A.; Kukarskih, Vladimir V.; Grigoriev, Andrey A.; Bubnov, Maxim O.
Contact information
Gurskaya, Marina A.: Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology UB RAS 202, 8 Marta Str., Ekaterinburg, 620144, Russia; ; Kukarskih, Vladimir V.: Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology UB RAS 202, 8 Marta Str., Ekaterinburg, 620144, Russia; Grigor’ev, Andrei A.: Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology UB RAS 202, 8 Marta Str., Ekaterinburg, 620144, Russia; ; Bubnov, Maxim O.: Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology UB RAS 202, 8 Marta Str., Ekaterinburg, 620144, Russia
Keywords
upper tree line; Siberian spruce; ecological driver
Abstract

Temperature is not the only driver of the upper tree line dynamics in mountain settings. In recent years, researchers have focused on the study of the spatiotemporal dynamics of forest stands under temperature-limiting conditions (at the thermal tree line). The preliminary results of differentiation of ecological types of the upper tree lines of the Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.) at Dalniy Taganay Mountain in the Southern Urals are presented. Steepness of slopes and exposure influence the distribution of environmental factors (solar radiation, precipitation and wind) which change growth conditions and form different ecological types of the upper tree line. Four main ecological drivers were noted and four types of tree line were proposed: the thermal, wind, snow and edaphic tree lines. A detailed description of the vegetation cover was done. The revealed types of tree lines are distinguished distinctly based on geomorphologic and topographical features of every study site, the type of the vegetation cover, morphometric characteristics of trees and their annual growth. The edaphic tree line is the longest and the snow tree line is the shortest one. Further studies are needed to more precisely determine the tree line drivers

Pages
237-247
Paper at repository of SibFU
https://elib.sfu-kras.ru/handle/2311/72135

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