The results of 20-years landscape based research into the structure, spontaneous and antropogenic dynamics of taiga forests on landscape basis in north-west taiga zone of Russia are presented. The investigations were based on a specially developed classification and map of geographical landscapes, designed in accord with the zonal- typological principle. The structure of the forest cover was characterised at the biogeocenosis (facies), urochishche, terrain, landscape and taiga region levels. The history of economic development of the north-western taiga zone of Russia was considered and a retrospective analysis of the antropogenic dynamics of forests was carried out (with landscape interpretation of the data). The landscape variants of fire regimes in primeval forests were described in detail (using the data of stratigraphic analysis of peat deposits). The landscape patterns of various dynamic stages were revealed and schemes of successional series of the forest vegetation were constructed. The concept of the landscape complex of successional series was substantiated. Landscape based zoning of forests in Karelia by ecological, resource and economic criteria was carried out. The problem of the expediency of using of watershed (in comparison with the landscape approach) for optimising the multi-purpose (multi-resource) forest use was discussed. Specific examples were used to demonstrate the opportunities for implementation of ecological-landscape planning elements (in the nature use and conservation practices).
This is the first time such a large purpose-oriented study of the landscape patterns in the structure and dynamic organization of forest including applied interpretation of the data was carried out in the european part of the taiga zone. The data obtained set the prerequisites for the development of a new line in the forest science - forest landscape ecology.