Abstract
In recent years, forests are exposed to various meteorological disasters. The climate change and warming of atmosphere cause more intensive and frequent occurrences in the atmosphere. This is also reflected in Slovenian forests - in particular in the form of windthrow, snow-damage, landslides and avalanches, and in 2014 a catastrophic ice storm. Some forecasts indicate that the future will bring more of this kind of disasters. The ice storm in the last year stroke the land the most in history, in particular in terms of damaged trees and areas. According to the available data, the damaged quantities of trees represent more than a two years planned annual cut in Slovenian forests, while about a half of the country was affected. The majority of the damaged wood comes from private forests. The remedying of such extensive meteorological disasters is demanding, dangerous and prolonged - it is also hindered by the specific ownership structure of the forest land in Slovenia and its average size. 75% of all forest have private owners, and this land is fragmented with a large number of forest holders. An average forest land is only 2.3 ha per individual owner. In these conditions, the following questions have to be answered: who, how and in what time is it possible to remedy the caused damage? What is the current quality of wood which was damaged in many ways in the meteorological disaster? Is it possible to use more modern felling technologies and wood transports from the forest in so fragmented private land?
Highlights
We are a witness of numerous climate changes and related meteorological events
This article tries to point out the increase of meteorological disasters in Slovenia in the recent years
These are windthrow, snow-damage and damages caused by landslides and avalanches – in particular, the emphasis is put to the ice storm that in 2014 affected the highest number of Slovenian forests so far
Summary
We are a witness of numerous climate changes and related meteorological events. The intensity and, in particular, the frequency of these events are visibly increasing During such occurrences the amount of energy in the atmosphere is raising and affects the forests - there is an increasing number of meteorological disasters resulting in damaged trees and forest floor. This article tries to point out the increase of meteorological disasters in Slovenia in the recent years These are windthrow, snow-damage and damages caused by landslides and avalanches – in particular, the emphasis is put to the ice storm that in 2014 affected the highest number of Slovenian forests so far. This disaster was the largest in terms of scope and the quantity of damaged trees so far. The severity of damages may be reduced by implementing adequate measures – the knowledge and understanding of physical characteristics of individual types of meteorological disasters, their impacts on forests, as well as potential silvicultural and protective measures are essential in this regard (Jakša, Kolšek 2009)
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