The influence of various factors on productivity of moss cover of coniferous forests, the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia
Productivity of moss cover is calculated using indicators of linear and biomass growth of widespread moss species ( Dicranum polysetum Sw. ex Milchx., Polytrichum juniperinum Hedw., Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus (Hedw.) Warnst.). The research was conducted in the different ecological and phytocenotic conditions of coniferous forests. The authors studied mosses in vegetation seasons of 2016 and 2017 in National Park «Nizhnyaya Kama» (Russia, the Republic of Tatarstan). The median values of linear growth in 2016 and 2017 were, correspondingly: 19 and 22 mm for Pleurozium schreberi , 11.5 and 18 mm for Polytrichum juniperinum , 16 and 17 mm for Dicranum polysetum , 21 and 31 mm for Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus . The median values of biomass growth in 2016 and 2017 were, correspondingly: 7.3 and 9 mg for Pleurozium schreberi , 7.3 and 12.9 mg for Polytrichum juniperinum , 4.9 and 4.8 mg for Dicranum polysetum , 13.7 and 23.1 mg for Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus . The largest biomass growth was observed for Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus , the smallest - for Dicranum polysetum . Both linear and biomass growth of selected species were larger in 2017 than in 2016 due to climatic factors (abnormally cold and rainy summer of 2017). In 2016 (May-October) precipitation was 218.2 mm, in the same period of 2017 it was 371.4 mm. Extreme natural phenomena mitigate influence of different ecological and phytocenotic features of habitats on moss productivity. It is difficult to estimate the age of the observed moss turf, but comparison of the total length and biomass of the shoots with the length and biomass of the shoot growth in one season (3:1) leads to an assumption that it is three years old.