Soil properties as a component of predisposition factors of Norway spruce forest decline in the Hanušovická highland mountain zone

Abstract

Mature Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) stands affected by decline symptoms were selected in the northern part of the Hanušovická highland (Czech Republic) at Jeřáb Mt. foot and summit (1,003 m a.s.l.). Spruce stand (SS) 1 (700 m a.s.l.) was situated in conditions of the fir-beech forest altitudinal zone (FAZ). SS 2 (880-900 m a.s l.) was situated in conditions of the spruce-beech FAZ. Research plots (RPs) of the area 400 m 2 were selected in the stands according to the different level of damage and stand diversity. On the basis of the complex soil analysis it was proved that the soil environment could be a part of stress factors, influencing the predisposition of non-natural Norway spruce monocultures at mountain locations of the Krkonoše Mts.-Jeseníky Mts. elevation. High Al 3+ concentrations in soil mineral horizons were determined in a direct correlation with decline of stand enclaves on the selected RPs. The concentrations of Al 3+ and limiting content Mg 2+ make root systems exist mainly in H-horizons or Ae/Ep-horizons. This causes stand predisposition to climatic drought and drought episodes.

Combined fertilizers versus dolomitic limestone: A comparative study from a forest habitat with Norway spruce

“…Numerous authors have attached minimal importance to natural acidification mechanisms in comparison with anthropogenic acidification (Ingerslev 1999;Ingerslev & Hallbäcken 1999), associated with the forest dieback linked to the acid deposition of atmospheric pollutants (Bäck et al 1995) and inappropriate woody species compositions (Augusto et al 2002). Kučera,phone: +420 545 13 4521 Editor: Erika Gömöryová Over the past several decades, the elimination of anthropogenic acidification in the Czech Republic has been predominantly based on aerial liming of forest stands (Klimo and Vavříček 1991;Kuneš 2003;Vavříček et al 2005;Novotný et al 2008;Kulhavý et al 2009;Baláš et al 2010;Šrámek et al 2012).…”