Structural and compositional dynamics of strictly protected woodland communities with silvicultural implications, using Białowieża Forest as an example

Abstract

• Key message Long-term strict protection of woodland communities may lead to their compositional simplification and homogenisation. • Context In the past, it has often been postulated that structures and processes typical for natural forests should be mimicked by silvicultural activities in the case of managed tree stands. • Aims To determine which features and traits of natural woodland communities (alongside typical old-growth attributes) should be imitated in managed forests, as well as which should not (and for what reasons). • Methods Tree data from five permanent study plots (of a total area of 15.44 ha) established in 1936 in the core area of the Białowieża National Park (NE Poland) are used to calculate several quantitative indices describing the temporal dynamics (in terms of stand structure and composition) of eight major woodland community types. • Results Most structural attributes revealed rather high stability over time. In contrast to these, during the observation period, noticeable changes in the composition of particular Białowieża woodland communities have been taking place, related to declining occurrence and reduced roles characteristic for a large number of tree species. • Conclusion In many ways, natural forests can serve as an important model for managed forest stands. However, in certain circumstances, silvicultural treatments counteracting natural developmental trends may appear to be indispensable, especially when more diverse and stable tree species composition (at a given spatial and temporal scale) is indicated or desirable.

Ecological quality of a forest in a state of succession based on structural parameters: A case study in an evergreen Amazonian-Andean forest, Ecuador

“…These results are in line with the criteria of Acebey et al. (2017) ; Brzeziecki et al. (2018) ; González et al.…”

Over 80 years without major disturbance, late‐successional Białowieża woodlands exhibit complex dynamism, with coherent compositional shifts towards true old‐growth conditions

“…Moreover, earlier natural disturbances of severity not observed since 1936 may have left compositional and dynamic legacies in recent forests. Such historical artefacts (potentially including fire suppression, see Niklasson et al, ) are likely responsible for the lack of significant recruitment of several intolerant and intermediate tree species since 1936, and their ongoing decline in local woodland communities (Brzeziecki et al, ; Brzeziecki, Andrzejczyk, & Żybura, ; Brzeziecki, Bielak, et al, ; comp. also Bobiec, ; Bobiec & Bobiec, ).…”

“…Figure ). Thus, the replacement of other tree species by hornbeam/lime may accelerate as older dominant trees of less‐tolerant species die (Brzeziecki, Bielak, et al, ). This dynamics echoes declines in mid‐tolerant Betula alleghaniensis , Pinus strobus and Tilia americana along with increasing dominance by Fagus grandifolia , Acer saccharum and Tsuga canadensis on long‐term study plots in eastern North America (Woods, , , ).…”

“…80 years of spontaneous development in strictly protected, late‐successional woodlands. Previous analyses of these data focused on species‐level dynamics and demographic processes (Bernadzki, Bolibok, Brzeziecki, Zajączkowski, & Żybura, ; Brzeziecki, Bielak, et al, ; Brzeziecki et al, ; Brzeziecki, Pommerening, Miścicki, Drozdowski, & Żybura, ). Here, we adapt an approach addressing community‐level dynamics.…”

Effect of Deadwood on Ectomycorrhizal Colonisation of Old-Growth Oak Forests

“…The growing season lasts, on average, 190 days, and snow cover lasts 92 days [27]. The study area is situated on the Precambrian East European platform and is dominated mainly by sands, gravels, and glacial boulders [28]. Soils of the BF represent various types, from poor sands through to loam and peat soils.…”