Reconstruction of the dynamics of the dark coniferous forests of the Teberdinsky Nature Reserve and prospects for their natural recovery after mass drying out

A study was made of the mass drying eastern spruce (Picea orientalis (L.) Link) in Teberdinsky Nature Reserve (North Caucasus). The main cause an outbreak number bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) whose reproduction occurred hot seasons 2012 and 2015. existing undergrowth not affected. By 2019, 7 years after beginning spruce, most groups had died out, single active foci were noted. There are almost no live spruces upper tiers left. In small numbers, they have been preserved Dombai forestry mixed stands Picea Link, Abies nordmanniana (Stev.) Spach Fagus Lipsky. As our showed, two four forest areas reserve originated a treeless space (250 350 ago). Subsequently, three underwent one strong, but local disturbance during their existence. Reconstruction history dark coniferous surveyed shows high ability for natural self-healing fir-spruce forests massive disturbances. near future (after fall dead wood, which is already happening), sample plots will be sparse from or with Fagus, become open trees. modern as result bark-borne epiphytotics has much larger scale disturbances both area degree destruction stand. This fundamentally different past. such situation, shortage seeds particularly negative impact. Therefore, preservation preliminary especially important.