Classification of Russia’s Forests in Relation to Global Climate Warming

This study involves investigating the sensitivity to temperature of Russia’s forest communities. Factors taken into consideration were mean annual temperature; standard deviation and temperature tolerance limits covering forests across the country. A new numerical classification of forest, related to predicted global climate warming (GCW) has been developed based on cluster analyses. New temperature-forest associations have been interpreted in order to develop a framework for the adaptation strategy to a predicted GCW. Quantitative parameters of the classification allow for the assessment of the magnitude, spatial and temporal dynamics of the GCW affect on forests. As a result, it is suggested that developed classification in forest inventory and management systems should be introduced in Russia.