POSTFIRE CHANGES OF THE CARBON-CYCLE IN SOUTHERN TUNDRA

A comparative study of dwarf shrub-moss-lichen tundra and two burned-o ut sites (fires of 1988 and 1994) in the same type of tundra was perfo rmed in June-August of 1996 near the city of Vorkuta (the northeastern European part of Russia). Total carbon pools and the dynamics of its biogenic fluxes during the growing season were estimated. The ecosyste m not affected by fire was shown to be a source of carbon for the atmo sphere, whereas the burned-out sites provided for its outflow. The per iod of postfire restoration of the initial carbon pool was determined for ecosystems of the southern tundra.