Beech-fir Forests Research Articles

Effects of different silvicultural measures on plant diversity - the case of the Illyrian Fagus sylvatica habitat type (Natura 2000)

Abstract: In Slovenia, the Natura 2000 network covers more than 37% of the country. Forests dominate more than 70% of this area, and forest management is a significant driver of diversity. Depending on the options applied, forest management may enhance or decrease forest biodiversity. Dinaric fir-beech forests (part of Natura 2000 habitat type) with remarkable nature-conservation interest and timber production functions were selected for this study. With the aim of testing the effects of different silvicultural measures on plant diversity in these forests, and consequently on biodiversity in a broader sense, three sites in the Slovenian part of a Dinaric fir-beech forest range were studied. The plant species diversity was assessed before and after the implementation of silvicultural measures of three intensities: (1) control plots - no logging; (2) logging of 50% of the growing stock; and (3) logging of 100% of the growing stock. Before the implementation of the silvicultural measures, the mean number of plant species per 400 m² vegetation plots was 48.8, and the mean value of the Shannon’s diversity index was 2.41. Two years after the measures were implemented, different magnitudes of plant species turnover were observed. There were no significant changes in plant diversity status and vegetation composition in the control plots. Two years after 50% of the growing stock was logged, the mean number of species was 73.3, and the mean value of the Shannon index was 3.21. In the plots where all the trees were removed, the mean number of species was 87.4, and the mean value of the Shannon index was 3.42. In parallel with the increases in the diversity parameters, the cover of the herbaceous layer increased significantly with an increase in the silvicultural intensity, indicating that short-term species turnover can mostly be attributed to herbaceous plant species. As a result of changed stand and ecological conditions, an increased plant diversity, a greater biodiversity in a broader sense and an improved habitat suitability for different animal species could be expected.

Are biodiversity patterns of saproxylic beetles shaped by habitat limitation or dispersal limitation? A case study in unfragmented montane forests

Understanding the processes that shape biodiversity patterns is essential for ecosystem management and conservation. Local environmental conditions are often good predictors of species distribution and variations in habitat quality usually positively correlate to species richness. However, beside habitat limitation, species presence-absence may be constrained by dispersal limitation. We tested the relative importance of both limitations on saproxylic beetle diversity, using forest continuity as a surrogate for dispersal limitation and stand maturity as a surrogate for habitat limitation. Forest continuity relies on the maintenance of a forest cover over time, while stand maturity results in the presence of old-growth habitat features. Forty montane beech-fir forests in the French pre-Alps were sampled, under a balanced sampling design in which forest continuity and stand maturity were crossed. A total of 307 saproxylic beetle species were captured using flight-interception traps and Winkler–Berlese extractors. We explored the response of low- versus high-dispersal species groups to forest continuity and stand maturity. Saproxylic beetle diversity increased significantly with stand maturity and was mostly influenced by variables related to deadwood diversity at the stand scale and suitable habitat availability at the landscape scale. Surprisingly, no evidence of dispersal limitation was found, as diversity patterns were not influenced by forest continuity and associated variables, even for low-dispersal species. Our study demonstrates that in an unfragmented forest landscape, saproxylic beetles are able to colonize recent forests, as long as local deadwood resources are sufficiently diversified (e.g. tree species, position, diameter and/or decay stage).

The influence of crown defoliation on the variability of some physiological and morphological properties of silver fir (Abies alba) seeds in the seed zone of Dinaric beech-fir forests in Croatia

Abstract Background and Purpose: Negative anthropogenic influence on the environment became visible in the 1980s and the result was the emergence of forest degradation. Silver fir ( Abies alba) is highly sensitive to atmospheric and pedospheric pollution and it is one of the most endangered tree species in the entire Europe. The aim of this research was to determine the influence of different levels of crown defoliation on the phenotypic variability between and within the populations of silver fir in the zone of Dinaric beech and fir forests. Material and Methods: Within the area of silver fir forests in the Forest Administrations of Delnice, Senj and Split, permanent experimental plots were established in order to monitor the influence of different levels of crown defoliation on some properties of seeds: germination capacity, the percentage of fresh ungerminated seeds, rotten and decayed seeds, empty seeds and 1000 seed weight. Statistical analysis was carried out by parametric and non-parametric. Various models of variance analysis were carried out in the analysis of the variability of traits. Results: The average germination capacity of silver fir seeds for the investigated area was 27.9 %, and ranged from 16.2 to 39.3 %. CV was high and indicated a great heterogeneity between the provenances. Average values of fresh ungerminated seeds were 12.6 %, and ranged from 9.1% to 19.6%. Average values of dead seeds were 16.1 % and ranged from 8.2 to 28.5%. The provenances from the area of Gorski kotar showed the largest portion of dead seeds, which was the area with the highest index of forest decline. The average value of empty seeds in the researched area was 43.4% and it ranged from 29.9% to 63.0%. CV ranged from 33.9% to 74.0% indicating a heterogeneity within the provenances. The share of empty seeds was influenced by the air pollution and the presence of insects on generative organs, and had a negative influence on the germination capacity. The average TSW in the researched area was 57.4 g and ranged from 49.4 g to 73.6 g. Duncan’s test confirmed the variability between the provenances for all investigated seed properties. Conclusions: A statistically significant intrapopulation and interpopulation variability of physiological seed properties was determined in all studied provenances and the influence of different levels of crown defoliation on their variability was not determined. Considering the morphological properties of seeds, a statistically significant variability between the provenances and the levels of crown defoliation was determined as well as for the interaction of these two factors.

The influence of crown defoliation on the variability of some physiological and morphological properties of Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) seeds in the seed zone of Dinaric beech-fir forests in Croatia

Abstract Background and Purpose: Negative anthropogenic influence on the environment became visible in the 1980s and the result was the emergence of forest degradation. Silver fir (Abies alba) is highly sensitive to atmospheric and pedospheric pollution and it is one of the most endangered tree species in the entire Europe. The aim of this research was to determine the influence of different levels of crown defoliation on the phenotypic variability between and within the populations of silver fir in the zone of Dinaric beech and fir forests. Material and Methods: Within the area of silver fir forests in the Forest Administrations of Delnice, Senj and Split, permanent experimental plots were established in order to monitor the influence of different levels of crown defoliation on some properties of seeds: germination capacity, the percentage of fresh ungerminated seeds, rotten and decayed seeds, empty seeds and 1000 seed weight. Statistical analysis was carried out by parametric and non-parametric. Various models of variance analysis were carried out in the analysis of the variability of traits. Results: The average germination capacity of silver fir seeds for the investigated area was 27.9 %, and ranged from 16.2 to 39.3 %. CV was high and indicated a great heterogeneity between the provenances. Average values of fresh ungerminated seeds were 12.6 %, and ranged from 9.1% to 19.6%. Average values of dead seeds were 16.1 % and ranged from 8.2 to 28.5%. The provenances from the area of Gorski kotar showed the largest portion of dead seeds, which was the area with the highest index of forest decline. The average value of empty seeds in the researched area was 43.4% and it ranged from 29.9% to 63.0%. CV ranged from 33.9% to 74.0% indicating a heterogeneity within the provenances. The share of empty seeds was influenced by the air pollution and the presence of insects on generative organs, and had a negative influence on the germination capacity. The average TSW in the researched area was 57.4 g and ranged from 49.4 g to 73.6 g. Duncan’s test confirmed the variability between the provenances for all investigated seed properties. Conclusions: A statistically significant intrapopulation and interpopulation variability of physiological seed properties was determined in all studied provenances and the influence of different levels of crown defoliation on their variability was not determined. Considering the morphological properties of seeds, a statistically significant variability between the provenances and the levels of crown defoliation was determined as well as for the interaction of these two factors.

Hoverfly (Diptera: Syrphidae) richness and abundance vary with forest stand heterogeneity: Preliminary evidence from a montane beech fir forest

Hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) provide crucial ecological services and are increasingly used as bioindicators in environmental assessment studies. Information is available for a wide range of life history traits at the species level for most Syrphidae but little is recorded about the environmental requirements of forest hoverflies at the stand scale. The aim of this study was to explore whether the structural heterogeneity of a stand influences species richness or abundance of hoverflies in a montane beech-fir forest. We used the catches of Malaise traps set in 2004 and 2007 in three stands in the French Pyrenees, selected to represent a wide range of structural heterogeneity in terms of their vertical structure, tree diversity, deadwood and tree-microhabitats. We assessed hoverfly assemblages by recording species richness, abundance and functional diversity. Malaise traps caught 2,374 hoverflies belonging to 104 species. The catches of hoverflies fluctuated both in species richness and abundance between 2004 and 2007. Strictly forest species were only caught in the most heterogeneous stand. Species strictly associated with fir were not recorded in the least heterogeneous stand although fir was present. Although most of the functional groups were recorded in the three stands, species richness, abundance and functional diversity decreased dramatically from the most heterogeneous to the least heterogeneous stand. However, the species assemblages in the less heterogeneous stands were not perfect subsets of that in the most heterogeneous stand, as some additional species not found in the most heterogeneous stand were also present.

Development of modern forest zones in the Beskid Niski Mts. and adjacent area (Western Carpathians) in the late Holocene: A palaeobotanical perspective

The Beskid Niski Mts. and the foothill area of the Carpathians are under-represented in pollen data due to the unfavorable conditions for peat formation. This contribution is a review supplemented by new palaeobotanical data dedicated to the late Holocene history of local forests. Pollen, wood and other plant macrofossils as well as a new approach to isopollen mapping were used to reconstruct the migration of late-successional trees between ca. 3500 and 1900 BC. This time interval was define as a critical period in the development of the modern vegetation belts. We documented a quite late arrival of hornbeam, ca. 3500 BC, from the south and south east as well as optimal development of oak-lime-hornbeam forests forming the foothill belt between 2600 and 1600 BC. The migration of beech occurred ca. 3250–2750 BC and was followed by fir ca. 2800–2500 BC. Beech-fir forests already developed c. 2500 BC, and became common since ca. 1850 BC in the lower montane belt. On a regional scale, transformation of vegetation coincided with phases of climate moistening. The auxiliary role of the Corded Ware culture settlement, exploiting for the first time the upper landscape zone in the Carpathians, in the establishment of the new types of woodland, was indicated. Local differences in permanent deforestation of extensive areas were also analyzed. The beginning of this process in the lower landscape zone took place in the Roman Iron Age or in the Early Medieval time. In the upper landscape zone, it occurred in the Late Medieval or modern times, particularly as a result of the Wallachian colonization in the 15th and 16th century AD.

Structural patterns of beech and silver fir suggest stability and resilience of the virgin forest Sinca in the Southern Carpathians, Romania

The structural patterns and dynamics of a primeval silver fir (Abies alba) – European beech (Fagus sylvatica) forest in the Southern Carpathians (Romania) were assessed to gain deeper insight into species interactions and mechanisms of coexistence, and to study the influence of species composition on forest structure. At 21 sample plots, each covering 0.123ha within an area of 240ha, all living and dead trees ⩾6cm dbh (diameter at breast height) were mapped and measured. Regeneration was assessed on four sub-plots per plot. Additionally, a 1-ha permanent plot established in 2003 was re-measured in 2013 to obtain information on stand dynamics. Point pattern analyses were conducted to study the spatial patterns and tree-to-tree interactions. The overall dbh distributions of beech and fir tended to indicate sustainable population structures. The share of beech varying from 24.8% to 95% (average 58%) in stand basal area did not influence stand parameters such as basal area or volume, nor the distribution of growing stock to different canopy layers. We found fir to dominate the lowest dbh classes in plots that were strongly dominated by beech in the top layer and vice versa, locally indicating species alternation. The regeneration density of fir was lower than of beech, although browsing by ungulates was negligible. In contrast to its share among living trees, fir contributed two-thirds to the deadwood volume. The 10-year changes in forest structure and mortality rate on the 1-ha plot were very small, suggesting the absence of recent intermediate or severe disturbances. The spatial patterns of the dead trees and of the living beech and fir in different canopy layers agreed with a disturbance regime dominated by stochastic small-scale events. Although the spatial patterns of beech and fir were similar, the tree-to-tree interactions indicated a higher intraspecific competition of beech than of fir and a higher shade tolerance of fir particularly in later stages of development. Both could be important factors for the coexistence of the two species. We conclude that the primeval fir–beech forest Sinca shows under the present small scale disturbance regime a high stability and structural resilience. Temporal changes in species composition only lead to small fluctuations in stand parameters and do not threaten the long-term coexistence of beech and fir. Forest managers may vary the species composition of fir–beech forests without substantially influencing the overall forest structure or productivity.

Transformation of iron forms during pedogenesis after tree uprooting in a natural beech-dominated forest

Treethrow dynamics was revealed to be a key biomechanical effect of individual trees in soil formation in mountain temperate forests. The resulting pit–mound microtopography represents a specific pattern of microsites with a potential influence on the course of pedogenesis (Šamonil et al., 2010a). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of tree uprooting on the transformation of Fe forms, as these forms indicate the degree of pedogenesis in Cambisols.Soil samples originated from a Haplic Cambisols region in a natural fir–beech forest in the Western Carpathians, Czech Republic. Four pit–mound pairs of different ages – 20, 28, 180 and 191years – as well as control, undisturbed profiles were sampled.Iron forms were studied using the following two different approaches: (i) Fe forms (exchangeable, crystalline, and amorphous together with organically complexed Fe) were extracted by three specific extracting agents then subsequently determined by ICP-OES; and (ii) non-destructive methods such as Voltammetry of Microparticles (VMP) and Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) were used.The following Fe species were detected by VMP within individual microsites: ionic Fe(III), ferrihydrite, and poorly crystalline and crystalline Fe(III) oxides. Mn(III,IV) oxides were also detected. Goethite, hematite, Fe2+–Fe3+ pairs in Fe-bearing aluminosilicates (biotite, chlorite) and octahedral Fe3+ (total Fe3+ oxides and silicates) were quantified by means of the DRS technique.Ferrihydrite and Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio were higher in soils from the pits compared to samples originating from the mounds and this ratio increased with increasing depth. Linear mixed effect (LME) models fitted by restricted maximum likelihood (REML) determined the relation between iron forms and other soil characteristics. Based on the development of Fe forms with time, we can conclude that tree uprooting significantly accelerates pedogenesis in the natural forest.

Is continuous-cover silviculture, as practised in Bavaria, suitable for use in wet eucalypt forests in Tasmania, Australia?

SummaryAppropriate silviculture, based on natural forest dynamics and ecological attributes of tree species, is fundamental to the sustainable management of native (natural and semi-natural) forests for wood production. Continuous-cover silviculture works well in shade-tolerant spruce–fir–beech forests of Central Europe (in this paper, we use the German state of Bavaria as a typical example) and can be regarded as ‘close-to-nature’, particularly where there is a focus on maintaining some old-growth elements for long-term retention. Continuous-cover silviculture, however, cannot be regarded as ‘close-to-nature’ for Australian wet eucalypt forests, which are dominated by shade-intolerant eucalypts that are dependent on intensive disturbance, usually associated with fires, for their regeneration.While the prevailing technique of clearfelling, burning and sowing of eucalypt seed has some affinities with natural regeneration processes stimulated by bushfires, it differs substantially from natural disturbances in that it is more uniform than bushfires and removes most ‘legacy’ structures such as live and dead trees, which are important to maintain some continuity of ecosystem functioning between forest generations. Variable retention silviculture, which retains mature stand elements for incorporation in the new stand, better approximates ‘close-to-nature’ silviculture for wet eucalypt forests. Silvicultural trials and recent operational experience show that variable retention can be applied successfully in wet eucalypt forests in some situations.Although Tasmania has much higher levels of formal ecological reserves than Bavaria (49% compared to just 3%), its use of native forests, particularly wet eucalypt forests, for wood production struggles for acceptance by the general public. We suggest that high levels of social acceptance of forestry in Bavaria, and low levels in Tasmania, cannot be explained purely by ecological and silvicultural differences of the forest types. Other influential factors in Bavaria compared with Tasmania include higher levels of private forest ownership, practical forest knowledge, domestic processing, established forest road networks and profitability.

Study of the floristic composition of fir-spruce-beech forests in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina

The mixed forest of fir, spruce, and beech (Piceo-Abietetum Colic 1965) is an important and widespread plant community on the Balkan Peninsula. Within the Dinarides, it occupies the upper zone of the beech-fir forest belt, establishing a regional belt of vegetation in the Illyrian province. This community occupies significant areas in western and southwestern Serbia where it also creates a regional belt, thus confirming that this part of Serbia belongs to the Illyrian floral-geographical province. This paper compares the floristic composition of the fir-spruce-beech forests in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina in order to determine the differences between the study stands. A total of 29 relev?s were analyzed, 17 from the mountain of Lisina (Bosnia-Herzegovina) and 12 from the Pester plateau (Serbia). Cluster analysis revealed a clear differentiation between the study stands and species in Bosnia-Herzegovina and those in Serbia. The main difference is in the dominant species: Fagus moesiaca (K. Maly) Czecz. in Serbia and Fagus sylvatica L. in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In Bosnia-Herzegovina, the forest grows under conditions of a uniform, maritime and humid climate, while in Serbia it grows under conditions of a continental climate with less rainfall and a strong zoo-anthropogenic impact. Regarding the spectrum of life forms, there are more phanerophytes and geophytes in Bosnia-Herzegovina than in Serbia. On the other hand, the spectrum of floral elements in Serbia is richer in xerophilous, Balkan and sub-Mediterranean floral elements.

Old forest edges may promote the distribution of forest species in carabid assemblages (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Croatian forests

Boundaries between habitats are usually accompanied by transitions in the diversity and structural complexity of insect as- semblages. Edge effects on carabid beetle assemblages across forest-meadow ecotones in Dinaric beech-fir forests were determined in the Gorski Kotar region of western Croatia. Carabid beetles were sampled using pitfall traps set along gradients extending 60 m from the forest edge into its interior and 60 m into the meadow. Embedded forest edges were greater than 100 years old and had a similar composition and structure of vegetation to that in the adjacent forest. A total of 20,526 individuals belonging to 66 carabid beetle spe- cies were recorded. Carabid assemblages in the ecotones were more similar to those in the forest interiors than those in the meadows. The classical edge effect hypothesis was not supported, since the ecotones were less diverse than the meadows, while the carabid as- semblages of the forest interiors were the least diverse. Soil temperature, soil humidity and light intensity did not differ significantly between the ecotones and the forest interior. Therefore, embedded forest edges reduced the microclimate edge effect by providing stable microclimatic conditions for carabid assemblages similar to those in the forest interior. In addition, this enabled forest specialists and generalists to occur right up to the forest edge and maintain stable populations in the ecotone. On the other hand, ecotones acted as filters for certain forest generalist species and true barriers for most open-habitat species. This study confirmed that the structure and ages of the vegetation at edges may play a key role in determining the spatial pattern of carabid beetles across forest-meadow ecotones.

Tree spatial patterns of Abies alba and Fagus sylvatica in the Western Carpathians over 30 years

The decline of Abies alba (fir) in natural fir–beech forests in Europe has fascinated scientists for over a century. During this period, Fagus sylvatica (beech) became the dominant species in this forest type. We hypothesised that (1) the success of beech over fir is significantly connected with the fact that beech suffers less than fir from the presence of conspecific neighbours; that (2) shade tolerance is not a factor which favours beech over fir; and that (3) this is due to a significantly reduced proportion of litter treethrow mounds with suitable conditions for the successful regeneration of fir. We investigated these hypotheses by means of tree spatial pattern analysis. Eight rectangular plots (2–8 ha) were analysed in mountain fir–beech forests of the Outer Western Carpathians, Czech Republic. Various types of the pair correlation function and L function were used to describe the tree density variability of trees with DBH ≥10 cm. The analyses were carried out on datasets from the 1970s, 1990s and 2000s. Our results suggest that negative density dependence is not responsible for the current decline of fir. It seems that a higher shade tolerance of the advanced regeneration could be one of the factors which favour beech over fir. It is evident that fir trees have a markedly stronger positive association to mounds than beech trees.

Detecting mistletoe infestation on Silver fir using hyperspectral images

Silver fir is one of the most important commercial and ecological species in Croatia, and is currently the most damaged tree species in Croatian forests. It is increasingly being infested by white mistletoe, whose irrational consumption of water and nutrients contributes to physiological weakening of the tree. Mistletoe may indicate the presence of stress factors in the site and may even cause premature death. The increment of mistletoe-infested trees is lower compared to that of non-infested trees. Hence, these trees should have a cutting priority, while their timber still retains its commercial value. Areas of mistletoe-infested fir forests are expanding; therefore, there is a high correlation between silver fir forest damage and mistletoe distribution, with an almost exponential increase in mistletoe populations. The purpose of this research was to develop an efficient and reliable method of mistletoe detection. Surveying was performed in the mountain area of beech-fir forests, using a hyperspectral scanner. The Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) classification for 5° proved to be the best classification method. The results were also confirmed by terrestrial validation, i.e. aerial surveying with a non-pilot aircraft from a height of ~30 m above the crowns. The results of this research do not differ significantly from the results obtained with standard ground methods. Limitations of standard ground methods further highlight the importance and efficiency of hyperspectral imagery in mistletoe detection. Furthermore, the first “spectral signatures” - endmembers for fir and mistletoe, were determined, and entered into a spectral library database. The results of this research are applicable primarily in the field of forest management, protection and harvesting, but they can also supply experts in other fields with a basis for explaining various observed phenomena. It outlines some of the possibilities of the application both in scientific and operative fields.

Waldbauliche Massnahmen für das Auerhuhn im Sonderwaldreservat Amden: ein erstes Fazit

Silvicultural habitat restoration measures for the capercaillie in the special forest reserve of Amden: a first review As a threatened forest grouse species, the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) depends on conservation actions in core areas of its Alpine distribution. In this study, we looked at the species' response to silvicultural measures in the special forest reserve of Amden in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland. Here, silvicultural measures were taken between 2006 and 2009 in stands that had previously been classified as less or not suitable for capercaillie. In summer 2010, we investigated how stands used by the species differed from unused ones by relating indirect evidence of species presence with forest structural and compositional variables. Evidence of species' habitat use was found in 12 out of 33 surveyed stands. Used stands showed a significantly higher share of bilberry in the ground vegetation layer, a higher proportion of coniferous trees and a lower canopy cover. Furthermore, the proportion of suitable habitat in immediate vicinity of the treated forest stand was higher in used stands. Our results support that habitat restoration by logging is a promising method to improve capercaillie habitat, in particular in fir-spruce forests, where the effectivity of restoration measures was higher compared to fir-beech forests. Hence, managing guidance for the future selection of stands for restoration should be based on habitat suitability of the stand itself and on an appropriate habitat quality of adjacent forest stands.

Variability of Abies alba-dominated forests in Central Europe

Abstract Using vegetation databases from Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and our own material collected during a field work, we have analysed the variability of species composition of Abies alba-dominated communities in Central Europe. Analysis was performed using a modified TWINSPAN algorithm in the JUICE software. Ecological analysis was performed on the basis of mean Ellenberg indicator values with a MoPeT_v1.0.r script prepared in R software. In general, the findings indicated that there are at least 8 types of Central European silver fir-dominated forests with different patterns in species composition and habitat conditions. These are the oligotrophic subcontinental silver fir forests of the Polish highlands, oligotrophic (sub)montane silver fir forest, hygrophilous silver fir forests, oligo-mesotrophic (sub)montane silver fir forests, mesotrophic (sub)montane silver fir forests, submontane and montane calcicolous silver fir forests of the Alps and the Carpathians, eutrophic silver fir-beech forests and silver fir ravine forests. The main conclusion is that the diversity of species composition of Abies alba-dominated forests in Central Europe is lower than described in current regional synthesis, which was confirmed by ecological analyses.

Cellulose decomposition rate and features of organic matter in forest soils in the Tatra mountains

The cellulose decomposition rate measurement and soil micromorphology have been used to determine the influence of parent material and tree species on mechanisms responsible for organic matter form differentiation in woodland soils in the Tatra Mountains in Poland. The study area is located in the lower montane belt of the Tatra Mountains. Investigated soils are developed on dolomites and shale. In the past, beech and beech-fir forests had been the dominant form of vegetation in the study area. Since the 16th century, these areas were deforested until the 19th century, when reforestation efforts were undertaken. Reforestation efforts provided mainly spruce; hence, it is the dominant species in the lower montane belt at the moment, although in some areas, natural or semi-natural beech and beech-fir forests have survived. Four plots were compared – two with soils developed on calcareous material (Rendzic Leptosols), one under beech forest and one under spruce forest, and two developed on shale (Haplic Cambisols), one under beech forest and one under spruce forest. Cellulose filters were placed in organic O-horizons and humus A-horizons in every plot to measure the cellulose decomposition rate. Before being placed in the soil, cellulose filters were boiled in KOH, rinsed in distilled water, dried, weighed, and set on glass plates in a nylon bag (1.5 mm mesh). The bags were placed in the soil vertically at approx. 15 cm intervals. After taken up, the filters were boiled in KOH, rinsed, dried, and weighed. The amount of ash was determined via combustion. The research was carried out during a period of 10 weeks between June and August as well as during a period of 1 year. Measurements were repeated ten times. A weighted average and standard deviation were calculated for every plot. The cellulose filter method is useful because of the homogeneity of the substrate, which helps to exclude differences connected with the chemical composition of the plant material, a factor that affects the decomposition rate. Undisturbed soil samples were taken from humus A-horizons in every soil profile. The thin sections were prepared and features of organic matter were described. It was concluded that the presence of calcarous material negatively affects organic matter decomposition rates which is pronounced in both: higher amount of organic matter residues in humus-A horizons and slower cellulose decomposition rates in Rendzic Leptosols than in Haplic Cabisols. The influence of tree species on organic matter features is observed only in Haplic Cambisols, where the cellulose decomposition rate under spruce is lower than under beech. This suggests that tree species indirectly affect the cellulitic microflora only in acidic soils.

Architecture of Fagus sylvatica regeneration improves over time in mixed old-growth and managed forests

Basic dimensions and morphological characteristics of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) saplings were measured in an old-growth forest and in a selectively managed mixed Dinaric silver fir–beech forest in 2000 and 2005. Over the 5-year period, average relative diffuse radiation above saplings (DIF), sapling length, and root collar diameter significantly increased. Light proved to be an important factor influencing beech sapling crown architecture. There was a strong negative relation between plagiotropic sapling occurrence and DIF, while the relation between DIF and forked and broom-shaped crown forms was positive. Occurrence of all three crown irregularities was negatively related to the regeneration density. Crown plasticity was less expressed after the 5-year period of growth, as the number of plagiotropic, broom-shaped, and forked saplings decreased dramatically. The results of this study indicate that broom-shaped, forked, and plagiotropic trees did not recruit successfully, or that these types of morphological adaptations were no longer an advantage in the late sapling stage of development. The hypothesis that small-scale uneven-aged silvicultural systems, such as the selective system, result in poor beech regeneration architecture to the extent that the future quality of beech logs is affected was not confirmed by the results of this study.

Tree microhabitats at the stand scale in montane beech–fir forests: practical information for taxa conservation in forestry

Recent studies have highlighted the key role of tree microhabitats in forest habitat complexity and have suggested using them as surrogates for local taxonomic biodiversity. However, few practical guidelines have been published to help foresters in managing microhabitats at the stand scale. This paper provides scientific background information to help to develop such guidelines. We surveyed trees in nine long-unmanaged beech–fir forests to model tree microhabitat occurrence and diversity at the tree level. Data were upscaled to a size range of tree cluster, i.e., at the tree population scale, by aggregating observed values of microhabitat occurrence. Accumulation curves were used to estimate the minimum number of trees required to make all the microhabitat types available. Two managed forests were then studied to quantify management effects on microhabitats. Diameter at breast height (dbh) and tree species, respectively, explained 16 and 10 % of the variations in the number of microhabitat-bearing trees, and 21 and 10 % for the number of microhabitat types. Beech trees and firs with a dbh of less than dbh 50 and 65 cm, respectively, did not ensure the provision of all microhabitat types. At least 20 ha of unmanaged forest were necessary to conserve all the microhabitat types. Current management practices have reduced the number of microhabitat-bearing beeches both by reducing the number of very large trees (dbh > 67.5 cm) and by tree selection within mid-size diameters. For fir, only the logging of very large trees (dbh > 62.5 cm) negatively affected microhabitats. These figures may inspire guidelines for conservation-friendly forestry.

Growth of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) on originally agricultural land in the region of the White Carpathians

At the Ploščiny-Triangl locality belonging to the northernmost part of the CHKO Bílé Karpaty (Protected Landscape Area White Carpathians), altitude 739 m, typological unit – Nutrient Rich Fir-Beech Forest, comparative analysis was carried out of selected biometrical quantities of the time series of stands originated on former agricultural land and stands originated by the alternation of forest generations. On the basis of examinations it is possible to formulate following conclusions: - the height increment culmination occurs at stands originated on former agricultural land earlier, viz. at an age of about 20 years;- on the other hand, the culmination of volume increment related to a mean stem occurs later, at current increment at an age of 80 years, at a mean increment at an age of 140 years;- the growth curve of a mean stand height of both variants is analogical up to an age of about 20–25 years, further values of stands established on former agricultural land are lower approaching an asymptote of 30 m;- stands of both variants do not show symptoms of rot or other damage to the reference period of about 150 years.As for the current condition of natural regeneration of silver fir and succession distribution on unused agricultural land it is possible to state that it is considerably reduced on the basis of intensive pressure of particularly red deer.

Breeding bird assemblage dynamics of a primaeval temperate mixed forest in the Western Carpathians (Slovakia): support for pluralistic community concept

Structure and dynamics of breeding bird assemblages of primaeval beech-fir forest in the Šrámková National Nature Reserve, the Malá Fatra Mts., Slovakia were studied during ten consecutive years 1997–2006. Bird abundances were estimated by the combined ver-sion of the mapping method in the 27.5 ha forest interior study plot. Determination of for-aging guild structure was done by a posteriori approach by a numerical analysis of ran-dom point observations of foraging birds. In total, 53 bird species were recorded as breed-ers in the study plot, averaging 39.0 species per year. Mean value of population variability coefficient (PV) of density of the 22 most numerous species was 0.33 ± 0.14 SD (CV = 42.05%) indicating a mean difference in density among years of 33%. The highest fluctu-ations were detected in plant eaters (PV = 0.47, N = 3) followed by flycatchers (PV = 0.44, N = 3), herb layer foragers (PV = 0.33, N = 2), trunk foragers (PV = 0.33, N = 2), foliage gleaners (PV = 0.29, N = 8) and litter foragers (PV = 0.21, N = 4). Cluster analysis of the Pearson’s correlation coefficient of species densities showed no consistent grouping ac-cording to wintering areas or guild membership. Only seven of 26 simulations by binary null models (9 algorithms, 3 indices) on assemblage level indicated negative associations. None of 9 null model simulations of density assemblage matrix (3 algorithms, 3 indices) or null model analysis of foraging guilds showed negative species associations. The re-sults do not provide evidence for competition in the structuring of this bird assemblage, but instead support a pluralistic model of community functioning.