Ecological functions of the modern vegetation cover of the Stanovoy Highlands

Abstract

An integral evaluation of the modern vegetation cover of the Stanovoy Highlands has been carried out on the basis of identifying priority ecological functions for vegetation communities in model sites of the mountain system (in the Upper Angara depression and in the North-Muya Range). Identification of the typological diversity of vegetation and the ecotopic relations of communities, conducted on the basis of field data and remote sensing data, made it possible to compile vegetation maps of model sites with the allocation of five priority ecological functions (permafrost-stabilizing, anti-erosion, anti-avalanche, drainage, water-regulating) for vegetation communities of different altitudinal belts (mountain taiga, sub-tundra, tundra belts). An analysis of the current state of vegetation has been done on the basis of changes in the forest area for the period from 2000 to 2018. Trends in the change of functions of communities have been determined. The ecological and geographical approach to determining the diversity of functions of the vegetation communities of the Stanovoy Highlands revealed the specifics of the botanical diversity of the mountain territory according to altitudinal and regional patterns. The mountain taiga belt is composed of vegetation communities (mainly larch forests) that perform a wide range of environmental priority functions in various ecotope conditions. Sparse forests and dwarf pine communities perform environmental protection functions in conditions of steeply sloping relief in the sub-tundra belt. High-mountain communities are characterized by a drainage function in the top levels of ranges in the tundra belt. The composed phytoecological maps of vegetation have made it possible to identify the spatial structure of the mountain biome on the example of model areas according to the actual dynamic of vegetation cover of the Stanovoy Highlands connected with cutting and fires. Approbation of the cartographic method in the study identifies the prospects for its use in ecological mapping with an evaluation of the functions of vegetation communities in mountain ecosystems.