In the first ten days of July 2023, researchers from the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve (M. A. Salo), Institute of Geology and Nature Management, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (A. V. Ivanov) and CEPF RAS (D. G. Zamolodchikov) initiated carbon research in the Sikhote-Alin oak forests.
A significant part of the southern part of Russian Far East is covered with various types of oak forests. One of the brightest variants is represented by rhododendron oak forests. In particular, this type is common in the coastal part of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve. The rhododendron oak forests in the vicinity of the Blagodatny cordon has become an experimental platform for carbon cycle research within the framework of the key innovative government project.
Rhododendron and other types of oak forests were objects of research conducted in the reserve in the past, too. In particular, in 1998, a permanent inventory sampling area was arranged at the research site. However, the carbon characteristics of this type of forest will be identified for the first time. Soil respiration measurements have already started, phytomass slopes have been carried out, and the roots of the ground cover have been washed. What is to follow is the inventory of sample areas in 5 replicates, the arrangement of soil sections and sampling for chemical analysis. And, of course, a lot of work on processing, interpreting and publishing the results.
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