The Structure and Biodiversity after Fire Disturbance

Larix gmelinii (Gmelin larch) is one of the most widespread larch species in northern Eurasia as a whole and in the Russian Federation dominating here in both the distribution area and the growing stock. Owing to high adaptability and ecological plasticity it occupies different sites within its range and performs well under continuous permafrost conditions. Over an immense area Gmelin larch forests differ in species composition, ecosystem structure and the features of natural regeneration. Ground fires are the main force driving larch forest development. Depending upon site conditions, fire intensity and periodicity, fire regimes determine forest age structure, species diversity, spatial-temporal dimensions of larch ecosystems as well as succession patterns in their trends and rates. Based on the results of long-term investigations we discuss Gmelin larch forest post-fire dynamics in the central part of their distribution in Siberia versus the southeastern part in Priamurye in the Russian Far East