Роль лесов в адаптации природных систем к изменениям климата

Лесоведение. 2021. № 5. С. 531–546.

Липка О. Н., Корзухин М. Д., Zamolodchikov D., Добролюбов Н. Ю., Крыленко С. В., Богданович А. Ю., Семенов С. М.

A literature review was conducted on the impacts of climate change on Russian forests and their adaptation. It is well documented that climate change significantly affects forest ecosystems in Russia. Negative effects prevail, although positive ones have also been noted. The article analyzes practical opportunity for adaptation of forests using the categories of impacts of typical hydrometeorological phenomena and their complexes, as well as the potential for natural adaptation. The character of impacts (i.e., negative, positive, or neutral) is assessed based on the priorities of biodiversity conservation, efficiency of forest functioning and conservation of forest resources. The main aim of adaptation measures is to prevent degradation of forest stands and decrease in forest productivity in Russia over significant areas. At the same time, forests can be used for the adaptation of other objects to climate change, since their protective and regulatory features may help offset adverse weather and climate impacts. The types of adaptation could be categorized as follows: prevention of damage; reduction of losses; preparedness for recovery; using new opportunities; involvement of natural ecosystem adaptation (forest self-adaptation). Forests are effective for maintaining the hydrological regime, protecting against floods, reducing wind speed, as well as protecting against heat waves, erosion and dust storms. Effective use of forests as an adaptation measure requires certain care on their ability to provide the necessary ecosystem services, that is an element of forest adaptation per se. The Forest Code does not provide any direct references on issues of adaptation to climate change. However, some categories of protective forests can provide respective ecosystem services. It is expedient to constitute a new category of protective forests, namely 'adaptation forests'. Sustainable forest management can contribute to both increasing the mitigation and adaptation capacity of forest ecosystems.

Keywords: изменение климата, forest management, лесное хозяйство, climate change, Лесные экосистемы, forest ecosystems, adaptation of forests, adaptation forests, адаптация лесов, адаптационные леса