Influence of snow cover change and temperature anomalies on the transformation of boreal forests and fires in north Asia
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In the last three decades, the number and area of fires in the North Asian taiga, forest-tundra and tundra is increasing. Analysis of spatial data on fires against the information on local climate anomalies indicates significant correlation. The estimates are generally based on average seasonal temperatures and the duration of the vegetation period; however, while these parameters are useful for global bioclimatic regularities, they are not sufficient for local forest change influenced by small-scale climate effects. Comparison of satellite images at the beginning and the end of the snow period with patterns of fire activities shows that the frequency and scale of temperature and snow anomalies are also key factors. Field studies that aimed to verify the snow properties as identified through satellite imagery were carried out on more than 200 plots in the Urals and the Russian Far East. It was found out that tree crowns of dark-coniferous and mixed forests intercept up to a quarter of total snow reducing accumulation and decreasing snowmelt logging. This leads to the desiccation of the soil layer in spring and increases the risk of fires in forests, where this risk used to be low. Another important effect is the increased frequency of dry and hot autumns in taiga and forest-tundra, which dramatically aggravate the risk of litter ignition. Field observations and analysis of satellite images for 30 years give information on the spatial differentiation of the effects. The higher risk of fires associated with the redistribution of snow by tree crowns is typical of the south and central taiga. Soil desiccation in autumn is the important factor for fires in the north taiga and forest-tundra. These effects are
additional to the seasonal temperature anomalies, which are the key risk factor. Taking account of these effects in context of the global warming provides better estimation of fires, including the risk of fires in unique forests on protected areas in North Asia.
Keywords: Climate change, Adaptive and integrated management, Biodiversity conservation, Sustainable forest management, Research
ID: 3485018