Forest typological features of the α-diversity of the stand and the herb layer in the mountain forests of the Middle Urals

Abstract

The study of the α diversity of the stand and the herb layer of all major forest types of primary pine and spruce forests in the Middle Urals was conducted. Four indices (Shannon's Diversity Index, Pielou's Evenness Index, Simpson's Diversity Index, Zhivotovsky's Diversity Index) were used to quantify α diversity. The indices were calculated based on the basal area (for the stand) and absolutely dry biomass (for the herb layer). It was shown that each forest type studied has its own characteristics of α diversity, while the relationship between the stand and the herb layer according to the dynamics of the calculated indices when changing habitats was not revealed.