North European platyphyllous forests: biodiversity dynamics and climate changes in northwest European Russia.

Abstract

Distribution, biodiversity and reforestation dynamics of the platyphyllous forests in the Northwest European Russia were investigated. Data assembled from 21 landscape regions (250–350 km each) show special features of small-leaved lime ( Mill., Norway maple ( L.), mountain elm ( Mill.) and English oak ( L.) reforestation during the last two decades. New tendencies were found for the taiga areas with natural Norway spruce ( (L.) H. Karst.) and Scots pine ( L.) vegetation. Natural platyphyllous reforestation in cut spruce areas poses as supposed a special question for forest management policy in the relationship to global climate changes. Feasible unsustainability of the common types of succession (Norway spruce - European birch ( Roth); Norway spruce - European aspen L.)) is discussed. Biodiversity of herbs, shrubs and tree species of platyphyllous forests is high and complex and is situated in 4–15 old-growth relics in each landscape region. Low-level genotype heterogeneity of nemoral flora species of such isolated populations is presumed. Special biodiversity conservation regulations are proposed.2Tilia cordataAcer platanoidesUlmus glabraQurecus roburPicea abiesPinus sylvestrisBetula pendula(Populus tremula