The Far North: (eBook)

Contents 6
Afterword 8
Introduction 10
Contributors 14
1 Natural Conditions 17
1.1 Geomorphology and Relief 17
1.2 Hydrography 20
1.3 Climate 21
1.4 Permafrost 27
1.5 Soils 30
1.5.1 Tundra Soils 31
1.5.2 Northern taiga Soils 32
1.5.3 Soils of the Middle taiga Subzone of Central and Southern Yakutia 34
1.5.4 Soils of the Mountainous Provinces of Northern, North-Eastern and Southern Yakutia 36
1.5.5 Intrazonal Floodplain and Bog Soils 37
References 38
2 Flora of Yakutia: Composition and Ecological Structure 40
2.1 Floristic Regionalization 40
2.2 Higher Vascular Plants 48
2.3 Mosses 64
2.3.1 Leafy Mosses 64
2.3.2 Liverworts 85
2.4 Lichens 99
2.5 Fungi 111
2.6 Algae 115
References 129
3 Vegetation of Yakutia: Elements of Ecology and Plant Sociology 157
3.1 Principles of Geobotanical Regionalization 157
3.2 History of Vegetation Development 165
3.3 Arctic Vegetation 170
3.3.1 Maritime Vegetation 170
3.3.2 Arctic Tundra Vegetation 171
3.3.3 Subarctic Tundra Vegetation 174
3.4 Boreal Vegetation 178
3.4.1 General Characteristic of Boreal Forests 178
3.4.2 Dendrochronology: Response of Trees to Various Nature Conditions 182
3.4.3 The Near-Tundra Forests and Woodlands 188
3.4.4 Northern Taiga 192
3.4.5 Middle Taiga 194
3.4.6 Mountain Taiga 201
3.5 Azonal Vegetation 207
3.5.1 Steppes 207
3.5.2 Rock Vegetation 212
3.5.3 Vegetation of Sandy Landscapes 218
3.5.4 Vegetation of Saline Landscapes 221
3.5.5 Riparian, Lake-Side and Aquatic Vegetation 223
3.5.6 Bogs 228
3.5.7 Meadow Vegetation 231
3.5.8 River Valley Complexes 239
3.6 Anthropogenic Vegetation 252
3.6.1 Ruderal Vegetation 252
3.6.2 Weed Vegetation 256
References 258
4 Vegetation and Human Activity 275
4.1 Human Activity and the Ecological Situation in Yakutia 275
4.2 Technogenic Transformation of Vegetation 277
4.3 Forest Fires 278
4.4 Timber Felling 283
4.5 Natural Fodder Lands of Central Yakutia 289
4.5.1 Hayfields and Pastures 289
4.5.1.1 Hayfields 291
4.5.1.2 Pastures 294
4.5.2 Grazing Effect on Forest Communities 295
4.6 Anthropogenic Effects on Tundra and Forest-Tundra Vegetation 298
4.6.1 Grazing Effect 298
4.6.2 Use of Shrubs for Fuel 300
4.6.3 Fires in Tundra 300
4.6.4 Transport Influence 300
4.7 Herb Use for Medicine and Food 301
4.7.1 Food Plants 302
4.7.2 Medicinal Herbs 302
4.7.3 Resources of Medicinal and Food Plants and Fungi 303
References 304
5 Insect Impact on Vegetation 310
5.1 Needle- and Leaf-Eating Forest Insects 310
5.2 Stem Damaging Insects 319
5.3 Role of Insects In Herbaceous Plant Communities 324
References 327
6 Structural and Functional Peculiarities of the Plants of Yakutia 330
6.1 Modern Trends of Climatic Changes In Yakutia 330
6.2 Seasonal Dynamics of Plant Growth and Development 335
6.3 Ecological-Physiological and Biochemical Adaptation of Plants to Low Temperatures 337
6.4 Photosynthetic Activity of Conifers 339
6.4.1 Diurnal and Seasonal Dynamics of Photosynthesis 339
6.4.1.1 Diurnal Dynamics of Photosynthesis 339
6.4.1.2 Seasonal Dynamics of Photosynthesis 343
6.4.2 The Ratio of Photosynthesis and Dark Respiration of Plants 347
6.5 Parameters of Carbon and Water Cycles In the Forest 351
6.6 Response of Yakutian Tree Populations to Possible Climate Change 355
6.6.1 Growth and Development 356
6.6.2 Water Exchange 357
6.6.3 Photosynthesis and Respiration 357
6.6.4 Respiratory Ability of Leaves Under Increased Temperature and Carbon Dioxide In the Atmosphere 360
6.7 Conclusion 361
References 362
7 Nature Conservation Status and Its Prospects 369
7.1 Natural Reserves Network: Present Situation and Prospects 369
7.2 The Role of the Yakut Botanical Garden In Conservation of Rare and Endangered Plants 378
References 380
Colour Plates 382
Index 400