Post-fire restoration of tree species in various soil conditions after surface fires zone

Abstract

Abstract The study of forest regeneration in stands exposed to fire has both fundamental and applied relevance. The objects of the study were the exposed to surface fires forest plots of various soil and hydrological conditions in the north-east of the Leningrad Region in the landscape of the Tikhvin ridge of the north-eastern part of the Valdai Hills. To study the natural renewal of tree species, circular plots of 10 m2 were created along a transect traced over a diagonal of the area exposed to fire. Post-fire impact on soils with different particle size distribution causes the formation of stands with different shares of coniferous and broad-leaf species. After the exposure of tree communities to fire, regeneration processes can follow different directions in the formation of the future planting composition, and that depends on soil and hydrological conditions. Knowing the succession status of the post-fire plant community, further silvicultural measures can be planned for the management of stand composition.