<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>and</strong> Monitoring <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>and</strong> Monitoring 21
<strong>Assessment</strong>, <strong>Conservation</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Sustainable</strong> <strong>Use</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Forest</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong> 1 VEGETATIVE DIVERSITY OF KARELIAN ISTHMUS FOREST ECOSYSTEMS AS INDICATOR OF THEIR ECOLOGICAL STATE *A.S. Alexeev, **S.O. Grirorieva, ***G.L. Egorova, *A.A. Egorov, **V.N. Fedorchuk, *I.M. Chernov, ****C.Gauberville *Saint-Petersburg <strong>Forest</strong> Technical Academy ** Saint-Petersburg <strong>Forest</strong>ry Institute *** Saint-Petersburg Scientific Centre <strong>of</strong> the Russian Academy <strong>of</strong> Science ****<strong>Forest</strong> development Institute, Paris Keywords: <strong>Biodiversity</strong>, forest ecosystems, forest types, normal distribution, diversity st<strong>and</strong>ard Within the framework <strong>of</strong> the international project “Cape <strong>Biodiversity</strong>”, which is being designed by a group <strong>of</strong> scientists <strong>and</strong> specialists from the three countries: Russia, France, <strong>and</strong> Finl<strong>and</strong>, supported by the European Programme “LIFE”, the research aimed at the study <strong>of</strong> Karelian Isthmus forest ecosystem vegetative diversity has been carried out. The purpose <strong>of</strong> the research is to develop methods <strong>of</strong> use <strong>of</strong> vegetative diversity indicators in order to evaluate en ecological state <strong>of</strong> forest ecosystems, to elaborate proposals concerning monitoring system organisation, <strong>and</strong> use them with the object <strong>of</strong> stable forest management. Karelian Isthmus is <strong>of</strong> particular interest for its territory, is distinguished by unique flora <strong>and</strong> fauna, peculiar geological structure <strong>and</strong> relief. Karelian Isthmus is situated between the Gulf <strong>of</strong> Finl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Lake Ladoga bordering the Neva river in the south. Vegetative communities <strong>of</strong> Karelian Isthmus are mainly represented by forests, which are the main equalising component <strong>of</strong> the l<strong>and</strong>scape. <strong>Forest</strong>s occupy a significant part <strong>of</strong> Karelian Isthmus – 65%. Diversity <strong>of</strong> the main forest species is typical for a subzone <strong>of</strong> southern taiga. There are a great variety <strong>of</strong> forest types, vegetation conditions, l<strong>and</strong>scapes, <strong>and</strong> a quantity <strong>of</strong> rivers <strong>and</strong> lakes on Karelian Isthmus, which territory is relatively small (about 15,000 square kilometres). 9 types <strong>of</strong> natural l<strong>and</strong>scapes have been determined on Karelian Isthmus. Karelian Isthmus area has a unique variety <strong>of</strong> forest ecosystems. At the same time, it is situated very closely to Saint Petersburg <strong>and</strong> undergoes significant anthropogenic impact: industrial pollution <strong>of</strong> the atmosphere, soil, <strong>and</strong> waters, recreational pressure, <strong>and</strong> excessive exploitation <strong>of</strong> forest resources. In connection with this it is necessary to implement permanent effective control <strong>of</strong> forests’ conditions. In order to collect the necessary material, during the summer season <strong>of</strong> 2000 the fieldwork has been carried out, as a result <strong>of</strong> which 178 permanent registration points (PRP) were founded according to 4x4 km coordination network. ?-diversity study was carried out in accordance with forest group types. The number <strong>of</strong> PRP organised in specific forest types corresponded to the representation <strong>of</strong> these types in the forest-covered area <strong>of</strong> Karelian Isthmus. Experimental data collection was performed according to the specially developed technique, the basis <strong>of</strong> which constituted the condition <strong>and</strong> vegetation presence registration technique in the American monitoring system <strong>of</strong> forest life condition. -diversity After the statistical analysis the following indicators <strong>of</strong> forest vegetation cover -diversity were obtained: m=34 – the average number <strong>of</strong> species falling v=40.3% - the species number variation factor one on test area on test areas from the average values. =13.5 - the root-mean-square deviation <strong>of</strong> P=71 fluctuation amplitude <strong>of</strong> specious diversity species number on test areas from between the max (80 species) <strong>and</strong> the average value min (9 species) values. 22
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