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

Peer reviewed: True Acknowledgements: The authors are very thankful to the director of the Tungusky State Nature Reserve L.N. Logunova and her colleagues for their help in the field work. Publication status: Published <jats:p>Understanding how pollen assemblages represent the local and regiona...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Novenko, E, Mazei, N, Shatunov, A, Chepurnaya, A, Borodina, K, Korets, M, Prokushkin, A, Kirdyanov, AV
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/377201
Description
Summary:Peer reviewed: True Acknowledgements: The authors are very thankful to the director of the Tungusky State Nature Reserve L.N. Logunova and her colleagues for their help in the field work. Publication status: Published <jats:p>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 Larix being the most prevalent tree generus in the study area, the proportion of Larix 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 Larix pollen in the spectra and the abundance of Larix in the local vegetation was found. The dominant components of the pollen assemblages are Betula and Alnus fruticosa. The pollen value of Picea is low (2.6–8.2% on average), with higher proportions at sample plots where spruce is abundant in forests. Pinus is a highly prevalent pollen species within its geographical range, comprising up to 40% of pollen assemblages. Outside of the range, the ratio of Pinus 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.</jats:p> Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russian Federation (agreement № 075-15-2024-554 of 24.04.2024)