Current state of the tree layer of middle taiga coniferous and deciduous forests (case-study of the test site “Lyalsky”, Komi Republic)

Forests occupy a dominant position in the vegetation cover of the Komi Republic and play a key role in maintaining ecological balance in the Subarctic region. In recent decades they have been subjected to intensive development and technogenic impact, which leads to degradation and destruction of significant areas of taiga forests. The main factors affecting the composition, structure and condition of these forests are logging, fires, windthrow, pests, diseases, aerotechnogenic emissions from industrial enterprises and energy facilities. Application of the landscape approach to monitoring and protection of taiga forests implies assessment of vitality structure of stands. The aim of this work was to assess the vital state of stands of coniferous and deciduous forests at the test site “Lyalsky”, organized in 2023 in the middle taiga of the Komi Republic. The research was carried out on 29 permanent sample plots created in the most common forest types in the region. The test site territory is covered with mature and ripe spruce and pine formations, as well as overmatures birch and aspen forests. These stands form mixed, medium- and low bonitet, mixed-age stands representing different types of plant communities with different moisture levels. The results show that the stands on the site are generally characterized as healthy, with high tree vigour. Only in some areas with deciduous species (birch, aspen) there is a slight weakening of their condition, which is due to the preservation of old specimens of trees or competitive relationships between young individuals. The results obtained will be used to compare data on the vital state of trees with estimates of phytomass and carbon stocks in forests in specially protected areas, and will also serve as a basis for long-term monitoring at the landscape level.