Study of Postfire Successions in the Sikhote-Alin Forests at the Population Structure Level

Postfire successional transformations occurring at the population structure level in the broadleaved–Korean pine and Korean pine–dark coniferous forests of the Sikhote-Alin have been studied using the system approach and the closely related concept of hierarchical organization in biological systems as the methodological foundation. In this case, succession is considered both integrated biogeocoenotic and differentiated processes, including the specific development of elements from different structural levels (biogeocoenotic, phytocoenotic, population, etc.). To determine the main content, driving forces, and mechanisms of regulation of the succession process at the level of population structures, information from the field of evolutionary theory has been used. This article summarizes the results of long-term studies on the age-related development patterns, growth rates, generation turnover rhythms, dynamics of coenotic role indices, and sizes of dominant coenopopulations. Additionally, changes in the species composition and reserves of viable seeds in the litter and soil during postfire succession are examined.