FALLEN LOGS AND MICROSUCCESSION IN THE TALL HERB SPRUCE FOREST IN THE LOWLAND SWAMP (BRYANSK POLESIE)

Abstract

Studies were carried out in the tall herb spruce forest in the lowland swamp with domination of Picea abies (the Bryansk region, the Russian Federation). The indicators of species diversity (species richness, species density and other) of plant microcommunities on fallen logs (deadwood) with different degree of wood decomposition have been analyzed. We considered this sequence of plant microcommunities as microsuccession. Bryophyte species dominated on the first stages of microsuccession, and vascular plant species prevailed on intermediate and final stages. It is shown that microsuccession on fallen logs contributes to the maintenance of the species diversity of the herb and moss cover in the tall herb spruce forests in the lowland swamp.

Keywords

• fallen log
• deadwood
• plant microcommunity
• plant microsuccession
• tall herb spruce forest
• lowland swamp
• Bryansk Polesie