Structural diversity change and regeneration processes of the Norway spruce natural forest in Babia hora NNR in relation to altitude

• Published in: Journal of forest science (Praha) Vol. 52; no. 9; pp. 399 - 409
• Main Authors: Vorcak, J, Merganic, J, Saniga, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences 01-09-2006
• Subjects: ALTITUD; ALTITUDE; BOSQUE VIRGEN; CRECIMIENTO; CROISSANCE; DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES; DIAMETER; DIAMETRE; DIAMETRO; DISTRIBUCION ESPACIAL; DISTRIBUTION SPATIALE; ETAPAS DE DESARROLLO; FORET VIERGE; GROWTH; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_16072; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_2230; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_28112; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_316; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_3394; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_36230; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_5090; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_5852; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_6942; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_7242; LIT DE SEMENCE; NATURAL REGENERATION; norway spruce; PICEA ABIES; REGENERACION NATURAL; REGENERATION NATURELLE; SEEDBEDS; SEMILLERO; SORBUS; SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION; STADE DE DEVELOPPEMENT; structural diversity; virgin forest; VIRGIN FORESTS
• ISSN: 1212-4834; 1805-935X
• DOI: 10.17221/4520-jfs

The research was focused on exploring the dynamics and forms of regeneration processes and structural diversity of the Norway spruce virgin forest in Babia hora NNR (Slovak Republic) in relation to altitude. In each developmental stage 19 sample plots were established. The structural diversity was assessed by the indices proposed by Clark and Evans (1954), Fueldner (1995), and Jaehne and Dohrenbusch (1997). The influence of the altitude was confirmed in the zone above 1,461 m, where the groups of family spruces were typical. Diameter differentiation was significantly higher in the growth stage. Significant diameter differentiation in the growth stage was observed below 1,260 m of altitude. The virgin forest had generally medium differentiated diameter structure according to the Fueldner index, whereas according to the Jaehne and Dohrenbusch index, the differentiation of the virgin forest decreased with the ascending altitude up to 1,460 m, where the compact forest ended. Seedbed evaluation revealed that 46.2% of the naturally regenerated individuals grew on mineral soils, 52.4% on dead wood and 1.4% on wind-thrown roots. Regarding the developmental stages, 46% of the individuals were found in growth stage, 23% in optimum stage and 31% in breakdown stage.