Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.142.5-6.7
Microclimate and natural regeneration of forest gaps as a consequence of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) dieback
Damir Ugarković
; Faculty of Forestry, Department of Ecology and Silviculture, Zagreb
Ivica Tikvić
; Faculty of Forestry, Department of Ecology and Silviculture, Zagreb
Krešimir Popić
orcid.org/0000-0002-8664-7205
; Croatian State Forest Enterprise Ltd. Zagreb, Regional Enterprise office Vinkovci, Forest Office Lipovac
Josip Malnar
; Croatian State Forest Enterprise Ltd. Zagreb, Regional Enterprise office Delnice, Forest Office Gerovo
Igor Stankić
; Energy and Environmental Protection Institute, Department of Atmospheric Protection and Climate Change, Zagreb
Abstract
Salvage cutting is a frequent operation to remedy the dieback of silver fir trees (Abies alba Mill.), which results in reduced stand canopy density and formation of forest gaps. This study was conducted in the beech-fir forest range of mountainous Croatia. The aim of the study was to determine microclimate conditions and natural regeneration in large and small forest gaps. Microclimate elements were measured and the density of plants from natural regeneration determined within forest gaps, in forest gap edge areas, and in control plots. Soil temperatures were significantly affected by changes in forest gap sizes with respect to the values of air temperatures, and were highest within the gaps as compared to gap edge areas and control forest stands. Microclimate had a significant affect on the number of small seedlings of silver fir and common beech in the large forest gaps, while this was not the case for the small forest gaps.
Keywords
dieback; salvage cutting; silver fir; forest gap; microclimate; natural regeneration
Hrčak ID:
202336
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2018.
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