Succession of Tree Species on Drained Bogs in ‘Brzozowe Bagno koło Czaplinka’ Nature Reserve, NW Poland

Abstract

Succession of woody species on bogs is a process limited by high groundwater table. In the case of drainage, this limiting factor becomes suppressed and succession may accelerate. The aim of the study was to assess the development of tree stands on a raised bog influenced by drainage and wild fire and to assess the dynamics of woody species encroachment. The study was conducted in the ‘Brzozowe Bagno kolo Czaplinka’ nature reserve in NW Poland, where the originally unforested peat bog was influenced by peat harvesting, drainage and fire over 100 years. The diameter at breast height of tree species and natural regeneration were assessed. Six types of tree stands were distinguished: open bog, bog forest with Pinus sylvestris, early-, mid- and late-successional bog forest with Betula pubescens and pioneer forest with Populus tremula, which occurred in the post-fire sites. After ca 100 years of human activity on an unforested peat bog, dense forest emerged on almost all of the study area. Drainage and wildfire influenced tree stand structure. The course of succession most probably goes from open bog to pine bog forest and early-, mid- and late-successional birch forests. Regeneration of B. pubescens is a crucial phase of woody species succession, because this species creates suitable conditions for growth of late-successional species.