Structural Characteristics, Dynamics and Texture Development of Virgin Forest Ravna Vala on Bjelašnica

Abstract

UDK: 630*228(234.422 Bjelašnica)(253)
 This work researches structural composition, texture and diversity of development phases of virgin forest „Ravna vala“ on Bjelašnica. Virgin forest „Ravna vala“ is located in central part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, about 20 km south west from Sarajevo on mountain Bjelašnica, on altitude of 1280 to 1450 m. First time it was described in 1978. Within it we have positioned permanent plot of the square shape in size of 1 ha. Research was conducted on permanent plot in three time series: in years 1978, 1988 and 2008, and on 46 temporary systematically positioned circular plots in diameter of 12.6 meters, where each represents as per 1 ha of virgin forest area. In virgin forest we have registered 689 trees per hectare and wood supply mass of 701 m3/ha. Through analysis of dynamics of growth of specific species trees, it is visible that beech suppresses fir, i.e. there is a shift in main species in virgin forest, therefore, in the last 30 years number of beech trees has tripled in the lower diameter classes. Virgin forest has mostly present optimum phase and evenness phase, and rejuvenation phase. Texture diversity is expressed through Shannon index in value of 1.69, and evenness index has the value of 0.86.

Development phases and structural characteristics of the Penteleu-Viforta virgin forest in the Curvature Carpathians

“…The Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-ECE/FAO 2000) defines virgin forests as "forests developed under natural conditions and undisturbed by human activities". In Europe, in managed forests, sustainable management and silvicultural practices at the beginning of the 21 st century aim to reproduce virgin forest complex structures and their multi-functional outcomes (Visnjić et al 2015). The complexity of uneven-aged forest structures ensures economic value through superior timber quality, as well as high biodiversity at all levels (Parviainen 2005, Giurgiu 2013).…”

“…The development phases offer information on virgin forests' growth dynamics, about how natural processes run without being disturbed by human activities and also how we can reproduce these structures through future management practices (Zenner et al 2015, Visnjić et al 2015. The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics of each development phase in order to develop solutions for structural models applied in forest management.…”