Can paludification be stopped in the Taiga?

• Main Authors: Kryuchkov, V. V., National Research Council Of Canada. Division Of Building Research
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: National Research Council of Canada 1978
• Subjects: permafrost; soils; muskegs; forests; peat; swamps; pergélisol; sol; tourbière; forêt plantation; tourbe; marécage; taiga; Siberia
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.4224/20358679; https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/object/?id=e1b1ef7b-5c20-45d0-97f5-6422e716098d

The rapid economic development of Western Siberia and changes in the taiga as a result of industrial activity make it important to study the process of paludification and degradation of forests. Paludification and the development of peatlands is responsible for the formation of permafrost and forest degradation. The process starts in low-lying areas. Heat exchange between the atmosphere and the ground changes with the growth of the moss and peat layer and seasonal freezing begins to exceed summer thawing. Gradually the moss hummocks invade the forest and destroy it. The result is a deterioration in the growth conditions of trees; the soil temperature drops, the soil pores are filled with water, reducing aeration; no new trees appear and finally the trees begin to rot. Theoretical calculations show that the southern march of the permafrost zone will continue for another 400-450 miles. To reduce paludification soil and vegetation cover control is beneficial. Removal of the moss increases soil temperatures by 10-15 degrees C in the summer. Liming will destroy moss by neutralizing the soil acids and intensifying bacterial action. Burning the moss also creates favourable conditions. Snow accumulation decreases frost penetration and blackening the snow also rapidifies spring melting by 2- 3 weeks.