Spasogubsky curly birch botanical reserves: history and current situation

The article gives an overview of the history of the Spasogubsky Botanical Reserve (BR, Zakaznik) established to conserve curly (or Karelian) birch, Betula pendula Roth var. carelica (Mercklin) Hämet-Ahti. The reserve is one of the oldest and largest of the kind not just in the Republic of Karelia but also in the whole of Russia. Its almost 100-year-long history is conventionally broken down into four time periods based both on the life span of populations as well as on the provenance of the constituent trees, considering that the original natural stands of the reserve were later replaced by those planted in situ. The valuation parameters of the original stand at the time of official designation as a nature reserve and the characteristics of the curly birch plus trees identified within it are provided. We demonstrate that by the beginning of the 21^st century, illegal logging and natural losses have almost totally ruined the natural population within this reserve: only 4 of the original 262 curly birch trees have survived. Analysis is given also for the outcome of restoring the reserve using the seed progeny produced through controlled pollination of trees of local provenance, which proved to be far worse than expected: of the 1600 plants, not more than 200 have survived 16 years after planting, and even these are mostly in a suppressed condition. This was arguably primarily a consequence of the absence of silvicultural tending, which results in an active displacement of curly birch by other species and above all aspen. The conclusion from our studies and other available data is that by the beginning of the 21^st century curly birch in this nature reserve, as well as in Karelia at large, found itself on the verge of extinction, and the problem of preserving it and restoring its gene pool has become particularly acute. Thus, preserving the genetic resources of this unique forest tree is an important task for the state, which requires thorough elaboration and adoption of long-term programs and substantial financial resources, which would be easier to find by combining regional and federal funding. In addition to substantial financial allocations, it is also necessary to train qualified personnel, to work out and adopt certain statutory regulations, and to raise awareness using mass media.

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