Koronatova, N.G. 2025. Structural traits, canopy density and primary productivity of Sphagnum lenense and S. fuscum in peatlands of the forest-tundra zone (Western Siberia)

Arctoa (2025) 34: 202–208

doi: 10.15298/arctoa.34.17

The study of ecological characteristics of Arctic species and communities remains insufficient. In particular, knowledge is lacking about the growth and productivity of the Arctic species Sphagnum lenense, which occupies habitats similar to S. fuscum and replaces it in permafrost palsas in the forest-tundra zone. To address this gap, a seven-year investigation of the dynamics of structural traits, canopy variables and primary productivity of S. lenense and S. fuscum, which co-exist in the Pangody palsa complex, was carried out. Significant differences were revealed between these species in numerical density and capitulum weight, which can be attributed as species-specific features. In S. fuscum, the values of these parameters increased in permafrost peatlands compared to bogs of the southern taiga of Western Siberia, while the other traits decreased. The dynamics of length increment and net productivity of both species correlated significantly with weather factors affecting moisture during the growing season and, to the greatest extent, with the dry period duration. No relationship with air temperature was found. The effect of weather predictors on numerical density, increment weight or capitulum weight were detected. Net productivity of S. lenense and S. fuscum was similar, with long-term median of 134 and 177 g·m–2 year–1, respectively. Productivity of S. fuscum in the forest tundra was 1.4 times lower than in the southern taiga of Western Siberia.