Development of the spruce natural regeneration on mountain sites in the Šumava Mts.

Abstract

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the spruce natural regeneration growth and development in Modrava and Plechý areas, which represent the first and late bark beetle attack areas. Study was done on 13 permanent research plots, partly with vital tree layer and canopy cover and partly characteristic by open or none canopy, due to bark beetle attack. Actually amount of this regeneration is sufficient (average over 12,000 pcs/ha in the living stands and almost half of this amount in the declined stands) on the both types of plots. Faster growth is usually on the declined plots, with saplings larger amount and height increments, in the higher height classes. Particular interest was aimed to the microhabitat conditions, especially herbal cover influence. There were statistically important differences in the amounts and height growth of the first height class on the different microhabitats. As the most sufficient for the seedlings occurrence appeared to be the dead wood and the least suitable were fern and grasses. For the height growth the least suitable was vital tree foot with litter cover. The results indicate, that declined stands, without vital mature trees and without seed source, will likely develop into more or less even-aged forest.