Fire Impact on Subtaiga Larch Forest Ecosystems of the Eastern Khentey Area in Mongolia

Abstract

The data of experimental studies on post-fire dynamics in subtaiga larch forests in the Eastern Khentey area in Mongolia are analyzed in the paper. It has been revealed that ground litter-humus fires are the major destructive factor in forest dynamics. The impact of intense ground fire on root systems causes tree mortality, and the survival of the trees after a fire depends on character and severity of the fire damage. In extreme fire situations dead larch tree stands are replaced by secondary birch forests. The characteristics and dynamics of the lower forest vegetation layers under the influence of fires of varying intensity and duration are presented. The negative fire impact on soil properties is shown.

Keywords

• ground litter-humus fires
• radial increment of trees
• production process
• living ground cover successions
• soil morphology
• water-phуsical and physicochemical properties of soils
• erosion-preventive soil stability
• the Eastern Khentei
• Mongolia