Effect of climatic factors on forest succession in the forest-steppe zone of the Republic of Tatarstan

Abstract

The paper analyzes the effect of climatic factors on forest succession in the forest-steppe zone of the Republic of Tatarstan. A reliable relationship was revealed between a decrease of the oak forested area and extremely low frosts in 1939–1940, 1941–1942 and 1978–1979, and a decrease in the area of birch after the 2010 drought. Birch and oak are replaced by maple, linden and aspen. Insignificant amount of young trees and the predominance of ripe and overripe plantations of oak and birch will lead to the continuation of forest succession in the forest-steppe zone. Impossibility of reverse succession at this stage by natural rehabilitation is associated with the biological characteristics of these species. Oak and birch forest rehabilitation is only possible with measures to promote natural or artificial regeneration with due regard to the biological characteristics of tree species.