Functional classification of forests: Study of carbon sequestration
Rustam Gakaev
Abstract
The article substantiates the relevance of developing a functional classification of forests based on the effectiveness of their performance of ecosystem functions. Using the example of nine types of coniferous-deciduous forests that dominate the European part of Russia and operate in autonomous positions of the landscape, we demonstrate a possible approach to assessing their function of regulating the carbon cycle based on the relationships between informative indicators of vegetation composition, soil macrofauna and ecosystem processes associated with sequestration soil carbon. The lowest level of soil carbon accumulation is characterized by coniferous-deciduous forests on sandy soils, characterized by low functional diversity and low earthworm biomass. A high stock of soil carbon is demonstrated by forests with a more uniform distribution of functional groups of plants with rapidly and slowly decomposing litter within the vegetation. This is explained by the creation of trophic and topical conditions favorable for the functioning of earthworms - active processors of litter in coniferous-deciduous forests. Large-scale assessment of the relationships between vegetation, soil biota, and ecosystem processes that shape the carbon cycle regulation function of Russian forests is an urgent scientific task in connection with climate change issues. Based on an assessment of the effectiveness of the performance of various ecosystem functions by forests of different types, identified in Russia using vegetation classifications, a functional classification of forests can be created.