RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Akatov Р. V., Akatov V. V. Тrends оf Changes in the Upper Limits оf Eagle Claw Maple Distribution in the Northwestern Caucasus // Forest Science (Lesovedenie). 2010. No. 5. P. 12-19 (in Russian).

The state of Acer platanoides L. populations was assessed оn some mountain ridges of the northwestern Caucasus, at the upper limit of its distribution (the Belaya, Malaya, and Bol'shaya Laba River basins). Stem diameters, age, and sanitary state were determined in trees of fir-beech forests in the transitional (between high- and middle-mountain) zone (1400-1700 m a.s.1.). The resu1ts obtained testify to the uрward migration of А. platanoides over the past few decades, probably, due to recent climate warming. However, this tendency is not universal, and in some areas, the upper distributional limit remains stable.

Acer platanoides, climate change, Northwestern Caucasus, forest vegetation, stem diameter, age, sanitary state.