The first large expedition of the field season 2020: Ergaki
09.04.2020
Scientists around the world are concerned about the response of vegetation to climate warming, in particular forests. Many research teams are studying how plant communities respond to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. The staff of our laboratory led by E.A. Babushkina and D.F. Zhirnova took part in an expedition on the territory of the Natural Park “Ergaki” on August 10–13 2020 as part of the investigation of climate change impact on the mountain forests of Southern Siberia.
“Mechanisms of adaptation of forest stands to global warming are a very relevant issue. Currently, there is an unfavorable trend of mass forest die-off as a result of more frequent and severe droughts in Russia. On the other hand, in cold conditions of alpine forests, a positive reaction of tree growth to climate warming including overgrowing of tundra and alpine meadows can be observed. We observe rapid climate warming, in particular, in the South Siberia, where over the last century the average annual air temperature has increased by 2.5 degrees in Khakassia, and by almost 4 degrees in Tyva which lies a little to the south. This is several times higher than the “world average” temperature increase of 0.85 ° C. We are trying to identify the adaptive potential of trees, which can be used in breeding and nature conservation measures in order to preserve and improve Siberian forests”, said Elena Babushkina, director of the institute, candidate of biological sciences.
In total, 6 people took part in the expedition. Along the entire route Visit-Center “Tushkanchik” – Lake Svetloye – Vidovka Mt. - Lake Zolotarnoe, the participants of the expedition were accompanied by the park inspector Pokhilyuk Alexey.
Wood samples (cores) of Siberian pine and Siberian fir were collected on the Vidovka Mt., in the vicinity of Lake Zolotarnoe and Lake Oyskoe. The sampling sites were sel ected in the high mountains near the upper forest line, where tree growth is limited due to the short and cool summer.
“In the mountains, due to the complex landscape, a wide diversity of habitats can be observed – fr om swamps to bare rocks – at short distances. Therefore, we selected the sampling sites so as to understand the impact of the regional climate on conifers in different growing conditions. For example, on Vidovka, the gentle slope in the zone of the upper forest line provided the formation of fertile soil and rich grass and moss cover, but the steep rocky slope above Lake Zolotarnoe is much harsher. This also is illustrated by the difference in appearance of trees growing there, for example, fir above Lake Zolotarnoe has a creeping shape. We expect to see in the second case a more pronounced dependence of tree growth on winter frosts. On Lake Oiskoe, we found a place wh ere single Siberian pines rise above a young fir forest on kurums (heaps of stones and rocks), which are covered with a layer of soil, moss and shrubs in the middle of the slope, but are completely exposed closer to the top of the ridge. This difference in local conditions can also modify the response of trees to fluctuations in weather conditions”, explained Dina Zhirnova, the head of the laboratory, candidate of biological sciences.
In addition to collecting research material, the expedition members at the request of the park staff took wood samples to determine the age of the old Siberian pine growing on the touristic path at the Olenya Rechka cordon. Unlike the previously dated in the laboratory 800-year-old pine fr om the National Park “Shushensky Bor”, this forest giant does not have a hollow trunk, which will make it easier for scientists to count its tree rings.
The expedition members express their deep gratitude to the director of the Natural Park "Ergaki”, Igor Valentinovich Gryazin and park employees, for the opportunity to conduct part of their research in these unique places.
