Derivation of target stocking for forests of Norway spruce vegetation zone in Slovakia

Abstract

The present paper deals with derivation of target stocking in forests of Norway spruce vegetation zone. Target stocking in forests with prevailing ecological and social functions is the stocking when the forest fulfils demanded functions in the best way. For forests in the Norway spruce vegetation zone target stocking was derived by original procedures as an optimum stocking in harmonization of demands on the fulfilment of ecological functions (especially erosion control, hydrological and water protection ones), securing static stability and preconditions for the formation and growth of natural regeneration. We investigated the relations between stocking and indicators of static stability (slenderness coefficient and ratio of crown length to tree height), natural regeneration phases, ground and non-wood vegetation coverage and natural regeneration coverage. The most favourable status of these indicators was found out in stocking 0.7 and in the upper forest limit 0.6.