Succession processes in birch forests after the drought of 2010 in the forest steppe zone of the republic of Tatarstan

This article presents the dynamics of changes in the composition of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) stands over 15 years following the drought of 2010. Silver birch in the forest steppe zone of the Republic of Tatarstan is the main forest-forming species, with birch forests being derivatives of oak forests. The results of the study indicate that in the first two sites, after birch dieback, the proportion of oak in the stand composition increased, with an admixture of aspen, maple, linden, and elm. In the undergrowth composition at both sites, aspen and oak predominate, with small amounts of maple and single birch trees. At the third site, oak and linden undergrowth appeared in areas where birch had died. At all studied plots, a replacement of derivative forest types, birch forests, with indigenous ones, oak forests, is occurring. The change in species composition and the formation of mixed stands contribute to the creation of a more stable forest community.