engleski

The impact of different intensities of silvicultural work on the growth and development of young stands of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in the Spačva basin

In a complex of a number of different factors causing oak forest decay and dieback, and with that related natural regeneration, knowledge of the social position of young trees is very scarce. Due to the fact that almost 75% of Spačva Basin consists of pedunculate oak stands older than 80 years, along with increased environmental, biotic and abiotic pressures, pedunculate oak stands will require adaptation to these new climate changes. Natural regeneration of these stands will, in the future, pose a great challenge and one could expect an increase of intensity of various silvicultural works and a change of traditional silvicultural management methods. The main characteristic of adaptive forest management is flexibility and adaptation of the tending operations to the specific biological, ecological and structural features of forest ecosystems and the changes that occur in them. Timely and adequate tending operations, like cleaning and first thinnings, are considered one of the most important aspects of adaptive management and are crucial in stands adaptation to the changed habitat conditions. The initial hypothesis is that the current way of performing tending operations requires a more intensive approach. The aim of this paper is providing a basis for the modification of existing silvicultural methods and contributing to a clear and better understanding of young (first age class) pedunculate oak stands structure and it's within relationships. The research was conducted in a pedunculate oak- hornbeam forest (Carpino betuli - Quercetum roboris typicum Rauš 1971). 20 permanent experimental plots were established. On these plots, 600 marked future pedunculate oak trees are continuously measured for its growth response based on the different intensity of tending operations. Observed and measured are diameter at breast height, total height of the tree, crown radius, crown length, trunk length (height of the beginning of the crown), crown radius relation to the diameter at breast height and crown volume relation to the diameter at breast height. Obtained data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) between individual treatments. The six-year research period (2011-2016) indicates a positive effect in plots tended to a larger degree which is consequently reflected on the morphological characteristics of young pedunculate oak trees. Various qualitative and quantitative structural elements of the young (first age class) pedunculate oak stands, which are not yet systematically investigated, were given. The results will primarily be used by foresters when deciding on the time, manner and intensity of silvicultural works. With proper and timely silvicultural works, forming a natural structure, we will provide natural, healthy, balanced, stable and well-regenerated oak forests and preserve their sustainability.

silvicultural works, stand structure, stand age, adaptive management, pedunculate oak

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