Structure and dynamics of spruce-beech-fir forests in Nature Reserves of the Orlické hory Mts. in relation to ungulate game

Abstract

Knowledge of the structure and dynamics of near-natural mixed forests is a key factor for ecologically oriented management of forest ecosystems. The development of these model forests mostly takes place continually without any pronounced disturbances. Natural regeneration can be locally limited by ungulate browsing. The paper was focused on the structure and development of forest stands with emphasis on natural regeneration in relation to ungulates in Černý důl Nature Reserve and Trčkov National Nature Reserve situated in the Orlické hory Mts., Czech Republic. The case study was conducted in a spruce-beech-fir forest stand on four permanent research plots (PRP) of 0.25 ha in size. PRP are situated in the same stand and in comparable site and stand conditions, but two PRP has been protected against game by fencing since [1985][1986][1987][1988][1989]. The stand volume ranged from 478 to 565 m 3 ha −1 in age 143 -156 year. The results showed that the diversity of tree layer was higher by 19.8% (48.0% in species richness) in the stands protected by fence. In the phase of natural regeneration, the species composition, stand structure and number of recruits were poorer on unfenced PRP (7,990 recruits ha ). Admixed silver fir and rowan were completely eliminated by browsing (to 94 -100% of individuals). Growth analyses statistically confirmed that ungulates were a significant limiting factor for successful forest development (P < 0.001).

Adaption of Norway spruce and European beech forests under climate change: from resistance to close-to-nature silviculture

“…The attractiveness of fir, rowan and sycamore for game was also confirmed in other part of Czechia (Vacek et al 2014a(Vacek et al , b, 2018, Slovakia (Konôpka & Pajtík 2015), Germany (Ammer 1996) and Italy (Motta 2003). The recommendation for limiting the game damage and protection of valuable admixed tree species is reduction of still increasing ungulate population, building of overwinter preserve, feeding of game in selected localities, reliable fencing of stands, establishing of fields for game or reintroduction of predators (Vrška et al 2001;Cukor et al 2017;Vacek 2017;Cukor et al 2019).…”

Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) stands on former agricultural land in the Sudetes – evaluation of ecological value and production potential

“…(Vacek et al, 2014;Slanař et al, 2017). Great losses were caused also by brown hare there (Vacek, 2017). Schulze et al (2014) reported that sycamore regeneration is damaged by red and roe deer to a greater extent than European beech regeneration.…”

Long-term transformation of submontane spruce-beech forests in the Jizerské hory Mts.: dynamics of natural regeneration

“…Subsequently, these processes should lead to the arrangement tions Vacek 2017) and mechanical or repellents protection with focusing on support of fir, sycamore maple and other species largely suffering from browsing seems to be necessary (Olesen & Madsen 2008;Häsler & Senn 2012).…”