Modern Pollen–Vegetation Relationships: A View from the Larch Forests of Central Siberia

Understanding how pollen assemblages represent the local and regional vegetation composition is crucial for palaeoecological research. Here, we analyze 102 surface moss/soil pollen samples collected from four study regions located in various boreal forest vegetation types in Central Siberia. Despite...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Elena Novenko, Natalia Mazei, Anton Shatunov, Anna Chepurnaya, Ksenia Borodina, Mikhail Korets, Anatoly Prokushkin, Alexander V. Kirdyanov
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Land
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/11/1939
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Understanding how pollen assemblages represent the local and regional vegetation composition is crucial for palaeoecological research. Here, we analyze 102 surface moss/soil pollen samples collected from four study regions located in various boreal forest vegetation types in Central Siberia. Despite <i>Larix</i> being the most prevalent tree generus in the study area, the proportion of <i>Larix</i> pollen can be as low as 0.6–1.5% (0.4–4.7% on average) even in localities with a high canopy density of the species. No relationship between the quantity of <i>Larix</i> pollen in the spectra and the abundance of <i>Larix</i> in the local vegetation was found. The dominant components of the pollen assemblages are <i>Betula</i> and <i>Alnus fruticosa</i>. The pollen value of <i>Picea</i> is low (2.6–8.2% on average), with higher proportions at sample plots where spruce is abundant in forests. <i>Pinus</i> is a highly prevalent pollen species within its geographical range, comprising up to 40% of pollen assemblages. Outside of the range, the ratio of <i>Pinus</i> pollen was higher in habitats with low canopy density and in treeless ecosystems. The composition of herbaceous pollen and spores is significantly affected by the local plant community, offering more comprehensive insights into past vegetation patterns.
ISSN:2073-445X