Conversion of Pinus nigra plantations with natural regeneration in the Slovenian Karst

ǂthe ǂimportance of intermediate, gradually formed canopy gaps

Jurij Diaci (Author), Tomaž Adamič (Author), Andrej Rozman (Author), Gal Fidej (Author), Dušan Roženbergar (Author)

Abstract

Since the mid-19th century, Pinus nigra plantations have played a key role in the restoration of degraded European landscapes. Nowadays, these plantations are aging and prone to natural disturbances, insect infestations, and diseases. For their successful gradual conversion, knowledge of optimal gap spatiotemporal dynamics is crucial. We studied herb and natural regeneration patterns along with site factors on 477 subplots within 44 plots distributed over four stand types: closed stand (14% diffuse light), open stand (21%), gap edge (23%), and gap (57%). Despite the abundant Quercus petraea, Q. cerris, and Q. pubescens mast year, no one-year seedlings were recorded, which is likely due to the summer drought. Short seedlings (h < 20 cm) of Quercus sp., Fraxinus ornus and Ostrya carpinifolia were more successful within closed stands. Short Quercus seedlings were positively associated with soil depth and negatively associated with soil nutrients, distance to seed trees, and Sesleria autumnalis coverage. Taller Quercus seedlings required more light than both of its strongest competitors and were positively related to humid soils and less rocky sites. Ungulate overbrowsing significantly impeded natural regeneration. The results indicate a satisfactory Quercus density for conversion and the importance of advanced regeneration, which should be gradually, but persistently, released by progressively widening gaps.

Keywords

velikost vrzeli;mikroratišča;vlaga tal;talna vegetacija;objedanje po rastlinojedi divjadi;gozdovi;gap partitioning;microsite partitioning;topsoil moisture;microrelief;ground vegetation;overbrowsing;conversion;Pinus nigra;natural regeneration;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2019
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UL BF - Biotechnical Faculty
UDC:	630*22
COBISS:	5605030
ISSN:	1999-4907
Views:	645
Downloads:	309
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary language:	Slovenian
Secondary keywords:	velikost vrzeli;mikrorastišča;vlaga tal;talna vegetacija;objedanje rastlinojede divjadi;gozdovi;
Type (COBISS):	Article
Pages:	13 str.
Volume:	ǂiss. ǂ12
Issue:	ǂarticle ǂ1136
Chronology:	2019
DOI:	10.3390/f10121136
ID:	11410998