Forest Stands in Phyllitido-Aceretum Community Occurring on Limestone Rocks and Shelves – Comparison of their Structure in Strictly Protected and Managed Forests

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the structure of forest stands in rare Phyllitido-Aceretum communities, which grow in extremely harsh conditions – steep limestone slopes and rock shelves. Permanent research plots were established in five well-developed patches of Phyllitido-Aceretum communities from Krakow-Czestochowa Upland (Poland). Two of the plots were located in strictly protected areas of the Ojcow National Park, whereas another three were established in the managed forests of Olkusz Forest District. The species composition of the forest stands was determined, including all dead and live trees and their diameters at breast height were measured. Moreover, the horizontal coordinates of each tree were measured to determine the spatial pattern of the trees. Ripley's L function was used for the spatial pattern analysis.The research showed that the patches of Phyllitido-Aceretum communities are characterized by rich species composition of tree layers; nine species were found. There was no significant difference in the species composition between the living and dead trees and the shares of particular species were similar. The density and share of live trees in the phytocoenoses located within the strict protection zone were significantly lower than in managed forests. On the contrary, the same parameters when calculated for dead trees were significantly higher in phytocoenoses located in protected zones than in managed forests. The spatial distribution of the trees in all the analysed plots (except one) displayed a clumped pattern, which is observed in various spatial scales and reflects the habitat mosaics and life strategies of species typical for Phyllitido-Aceretum community.