Changes to Species Diversity of Vegetation Communities during Restorative Successions in Different Types of Forests

In this work, we study changes in species diversity of vegetation communities during restorative successions at logging sites in different types of forests, using the South Ural region as an example. Data from 180 geobotanical relevés of logging sites and secondary forests of different ages of the four main types of the South Ural region forest communities (cool-temperate dark-coniferous, nemoral broad-leaved, hemiboreal light-coniferous and boreal light-coniferous forests) were analyzed. Trends in changes to species diversity manifest themselves in different ways during each stage of the ‘native forest – logging – secondary forest’ succession sequence. In broad-leaved and cool-temperate dark-coniferous forests, changes in species diversityfollow the parabolic trajectory during restorative successions at clear-cutting sites; in other words, the diversity initially increases and then decreases during the progress of the succession. This is caused by the introduction of invasive synanthropic species during the early stages of the succession. The level of species diversity at clear-cutting sites in hemiboreal light-coniferous forests barely changes due to the rapid expansion of reed grass, which prevents the invasion of synanthropic species in the logging areas. Keywords: species diversity, restorative succession, logging, secondary forests, synanthropic specie

Bryophyte Diversity of Calcareous Fens in the Bashkir Cis-Urals (Republic of Bashkortostan, the Southern Urals)

The bryophyte diversity of base-rich fens was studied in 16 calcareous mires of the Bashkir Cis-Urals (the Southern Ural region). Thirty-seven moss species and nine liverworts were recorded in treeless communities dominated by Schoenus ferrugineus, Molinia caerulea, small sedges and mosses. The annotated species list with precise locations is provided. Most of the surveyed mires are located in the northeastern part of the Bashkir Cis-Urals, that is, in the Mesyagutovo forest-steppe bordering with the western foothills of the Southern Ural Mountains. In the plain areas of the western part of the Bashkir Cis-Urals, calcareous mires are very rare and characterized by the low number of habitat specialists. Arctic-boreo-alpine species (Cinclidium stygium,Paludella squarrosa, Palustriella decipiens, Pseudocalliergon trifarium, etc.) make up approximately 30% of the total bryophyte diversity of the surveyed fens. In the study area, these species grow in small isolated populations at the southern limit of the species range. Currently, only half of the surveyed calcareous mires are located within protected areas. It is essential to improve the protection of these unique habitats inthe study area. Keywords: calcareous mires, base-rich fens, bryophytes, the Southern Ural

New national and regional bryophyte records, 59

Peer reviewe

ON BRYOPHYTE FLORA ОF BASE-RICH FENS ОF BASHKIR CIS-URALS (THE SOUTHERN URAL REGION)

The results of investigations of bryophyte diversity in 16 calcareous base-rich fens of the Bashkir Cis-Urals (the South Ural region) are presented. Totally, 46 species (9 liverworts and 37 mosses) were revealed. A list of species and precise localities of investigated fens are given. Most of the studied base-rich fens are situates in the Mesyagutovo forest-steppe region and in the western foothills of the Southern Urals. In the plaine western part of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the carbonate bogs are very rare and are characterized by a low number of specialists typical for base-rich fens. About 30 % of the bryophytes revealed in calcareous mires are circumpolar Boreo-arctic montane species (Cinclidium stygium, Paludella squarrosa, Palustriella decipiens, Pseudocalliergon trifarium, etc.). Theirs subpopulations are isolated and very rare in study area. Currently, only half of the studied base-rich fens are protected in the Republic of Bashkortostan. It is necessary to pay more attention to the protection of this habitats to avoid theirs loss and degradation due to human impact.Работа выполнена при поддержке гранта РФФИ 18-04-00641