The properties of a sandy Ferric Podzol over fluvioglacial deposits and the root mass of its 0–20 cm layer with Pinus sylvestris L. fine roots (≤3 mm in diameter) have been studied in a mid-taiga cowberry-type pine stand. Keeping in mind the structure of the phytogenic field of a tree, the study is subdivided into trunk, crown, and gap zones. The root mass of the forest floor and the mineral horizons are found to change in different directions in the these zones. In the forest floor, the trunk zone is more saturated with roots than the gap zone, while the trend in the soil mineral layer was the reverse. The highest root biomass is associated with sites that are the richest in soil nutrients and organic matter (NPKC). The cellulolytic activity and ecophysiological parameters of the microbiota vary in the studied horizons. Cellulolytic activity in the forest floor is the highest near tree trunks, while the spatial variation of this parameter in the mineral body of the soil is less pronounced. A correlation is detected between the contribution of root respiration to total СО₂ emissions from the soil surface and the biomass of fine roots (≤3 mm) in the 0–20 cm soil layer. The effect of the soil thermal regime on root mass in different zones of the phytogenic field is studied. Soil temperature variation due to the redistribution of solar energy by the canopy results in a higher root mass in areas receiving more heat. The zone with better heated soils is the canopy gaps. The effect of the temperature of the root mass of the soil is more explicit in the mineral layer. The results of this study can be used in environmental monitoring and in predictive assessments of the effects of climate change on boreal forest ecosystems.

Recreation digression of forest ecosystems in the heritage site “White Sea Petroglyphs” was studied for the first time. This site is a compact system of rock outcrops partially cleared of forest vegetation, which bear Neolithic rock carvings (petroglyphs), and are linked together by walking trails. Patterns have been identified in the transformation of soils, plant cover components (tree stand, tree seedlings, understory and living ground cover), as well as fine roots (within 3 mm in diameter) of woody species under the recreation impact. Trampling was found to deform and destroy the top soil horizons, entailing a significant loss of the forest floor thickness and organic matter stores. Overall, the flora of the area is quite well preserved; 95–100 % of which is represented by native species. The living ground cover is noticeably damaged in the most actively used sites (fragments of trails and vista points). They feature a poor species composition, shrinking of the herb-dwarf shrub and moss-lichen cover, and a low percent cover of grassland and ruderal species. Easily accessible and actively visited sites have no or reducing amounts of tree seedlings, the tree stand is damaged and forest regeneration is hampered – the number of viable seedlings is minimal (100 pcs/ha). The mass of roots below 3 mm in diameter in heavily trampled trails showed a reduction of up to 74 %, while the root saturation in less affected trails slightly increased. Recreation transformations of the plant communities have not resulted in a loss of their resilience so far. The recreational digression in the studied sites was classified into stages I–III (weakly disturbed – strongly disturbed). Function zoning of the area should be modified using recreation-tolerant communities more intensively in order to reduce recreation impact. The most damaged areas, which are losing their stability, should be excluded from active use by modification of walking trails and building additional boardwalks.