Resource potential of ground vegetation in blueberry spruce forests at different developmental stages in the North taiga forest area of the Arkhangelsk Region, Russia

Different stages of forest stand formation within forest phytocenoses create optimal conditions for various types of non-timber forest use. The development of different biological resource groups in forests is also significantly influenced by human economic activities. Establishing a program for harvesting non-timber forest products at different stages of the forest phytocenosis life cycle, combined with creating conditions to enhance productivity, will facilitate effective and sustainable forest management. This study aimed to evaluate the resource potential of ground vegetation in blueberry spruce forests at different stages of their development. The research was conducted in the North taiga forest area of the Arkhangelsk Region from 2020 to 2025. The species composition of the ground vegetation in blueberry spruce forests remains relatively stable. Most species exhibit a projective cover of less than 1%. The dominant species is the common blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), with a projective cover ranging from 50% to 71% and a 100% frequency of occurrence. Under the canopy of blueberry spruce forests of various ages, blueberry forms resources of commercial significance for harvesting leaves as medicinal raw materials. The projective cover of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) reaches up to 8% with a frequency of 65–95%. Following clear-cutting, there is a clear trend toward an increased number of plant species within specific resource groups: edible, medicinal (potential), melliferous, and forage plants. During the first ten years after the clear-cutting of blueberry spruce forests, the sites can be utilized for lingonberry harvesting. 8–11 years after clear-cutting, the harvesting of narrow-leaved fireweed as a medicinal raw material becomes feasible.

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