Naslov
Monitoring Natural Regeneration of Burnt Areas of Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) in Croatia

Autori
Dubravac, Tomislav ; Vrbek, Boris ; Roth, Valentin ; Španjol, Željko ; Barčić, Damir

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
MEDPINE 3 - Conservation / - Bari, 2005, 99-99

Skup
Regeneration and Restoration of Mediterranean Pines and their Ecosystems

Mjesto i datum
Bari, Italija, 26.12.2005. - 30.12.2005

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Nije recenziran

Ključne riječi
natural reforestation; young growth; fires; tending of burnt areas; Aleppo pine

Sažetak
Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) is widespread over the whole region of the Mediterranean. In the coastal region of Croatia, according to the records in 1984, it was estimated that there were around 40, 000 ha with Aleppo pine. Aleppo pine covers an increasing area not only because of new afforestation but also because of its biological characteristic of natural spreading and regeneration on burnt areas. Unfortunately, today forest fires are becoming more frequent and the consequences can be seen in the insignificant value of the burnt volume of wood in relation to the lost value of the general usefulness of the function of that region (soil, climate, oxygen, fauna, biodiversity, landscape etc.). Investigations were carried out on a permanent experimental plot of Aleppo pine set up in 2001 in the Forest Enterprise of Šibenik, Brina Management Unit, Forestry region Brdo Svete Kate. The stand was destroyed by fire in 1999. The experimental plot was in the form of a square, 50x50m in size (0.25ha). The appearance of young new growth of Aleppo pine was monitored on the plot (and other species found) on a sample 2x75m (150 m2) set up diagonally in relation to the plot during four years of monitoring. Woody plant species were listed and classified in height classes. The aim of the experiment was to determine the effect of forest fires on changes in sites (habitat) and stands in natural stands of pine ; the possibility of the occurrence of elements of reforestation (reestablishment) after fire and particularly the work of tending of the burnt areas. The remains of the burnt standing trees of Aleppo pine were felled and tending of the stand carried out. The felled (burnt) trees were placed on the ground and the burnt material cut up very small with a motor saw so that the remaining material adheres as much as possible to the soil. The moisture from the soil and conditions of the microclimate of the young stands of Aleppo pine, in which such treated material will be placed, will contribute to rapid growth of microorganisms, its biodegradation and rapid humification. The investigations showed a significant trend of growth and development of Aleppo pine (absolute and relative values) with regard to height-age classes during the four years of the monitoring. In the lowest height class (up to 30 cm) during the first year of monitoring it was 68.6%, during the second year 24.8%, during the third 7.9% and during the fourth year of monitoring only 1.6% of plants. In the height class from 31 to 60cm, during the first year of monitoring it was 31.4%, during the second year 61.6%, during the third year 44.8% and during the fourth year 22.2% of plants. In the height class from 61 to 130cm, during the first year of monitoring there were no plants, during the second year 13.6%, during the third year 46.8% and during the fourth year 63% of plants. During the third monitoring in the height class from 131 to 150cm 8 plants (0.5%) were counted, and in the fourth monitoring 180 plants, i.e. 10.4%. During the fourth monitoring 47 plants (2.8%) were found in the height class from 151 to 200 cm. The number of plants of other young trees during the years of monitoring remained unchanged, while the number of plants in the shrub layer during the fourth year of monitoring increased by one plant in relation to the previous year. Five years after the fire, young plants of Aleppo pine, by their height, had outgrown the burnt material and completely covered the burnt area. With the total number of 115, 218 plants per ha, the Aleppo pine, as a pioneering tree species of the Eu-Mediterranean, ensures the reforestation of stands by natural succession and provides the conditions for the arrival of climatogenic and basic species of this region, i.e. the evergreen oak.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Šumarstvo, Biotehnologija

POVEZANOST RADA