Comparison of regeneration and recruitment of shade-tolerant and light-demanding tree species in mixed uneven-aged forests

experiences from the Dinaric region

Matija Klopčič (Author), Tina Simončič (Author), Andrej Bončina (Author)

Abstract

Research on the early stages of stand dynamics in uneven-aged forests often favours regeneration over recruitment of trees into forest stands. We contrasted both regeneration (i.e. seedlings and saplings existing in a stand) and recruitment (i.e. the number of trees annually crossing the threshold of 10 cm dbh) in two main stand types of uneven-aged forests (plenter and group selection). Data from 1710 permanent plots across the Dinaric Mountains in Slovenia were used to study recruitment; on 165 plots, regeneration was additionally analysed. The zero-inflated negative binomial modelling procedure was applied to identify factors influencing regeneration and recruitment. Total regeneration (30 212 ha−1) and that of light-demanding species (14 879 ha−1) were abundant. The latter regenerated more successfully in group selection stands compared with plenter stands. A large reduction in regeneration density was determined during its growth, which was more dramatic for light-demanding species (e.g. Acer pseudoplatanus) than for shade-tolerant species (e.g. Fagus sylvatica, Abies alba). The number of recruited trees (5.83 ha−1 y−1) seemed to be sufficient to maintain the uneven structure but was less promising for light-demanding species (0.13 ha−1 y−1). However, light-demanding species have the potential to establish and recruit into uneven-aged stands with a limited target proportion in the growing stock. Both indicators—regeneration and recruitment—are indispensable for understanding patterns of stand dynamics in uneven-aged forests.

Keywords

raznomerni gozdovi;jelovo-bukovi gozdovi;sencovzdržne vrste;svetloljubne vrste;Dinaridi;pomlajevanje;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2015
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UL BF - Biotechnical Faculty
UDC:	630*18
COBISS:	4117926
ISSN:	0015-752X
Views:	990
Downloads:	502
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary language:	Slovenian
Secondary keywords:	raznomerni gozdovi;jelovo-bukovi gozdovi;sencovzdržne vrste;svetloljubne vrste;Dinaridi;pomlajevanje;
Type (COBISS):	Scientific work
Embargo end date (OpenAIRE):	2016-06-20
Pages:	str. 552-536
Volume:	ǂVol. ǂ88
Issue:	ǂiss. ǂ5
Chronology:	2015
DOI:	10.1093/forestry/cpv021
ID:	9234947