Original scientific paper
Natural regeneration of alleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) forests after forest fires
Tomislav Dubravac
orcid.org/0000-0003-3133-8322
; Forest Research Institute, Jastrebarsko
Boris Vrbek
; Forest Research Institute, Jastrebarsko
Zlatko Lalić
; Hrvatske šume, UŠP Split
Abstract
This paper examines the problem of natural regeneration of burned (scorched) areas in
stands of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) on three experimental plots. Results are based
on five-year systematic monitoring (2001- 2005) in [ibenik; three years (2001- 2003) in
Split, and two years (2002-2003) in Kor~ula. The natural regeneration of vegetation was
measured according to species, numbers and height classes, and the effects of tending interventions
after the forest fire. Investigations covered pedological analysis of experimental
plots, and chemical and physical characteristics of analysed soil samples from genetic horizons.
The results showed natural, aggressive, almost like weed spreading and regeneration
of Aleppo pine on the burnt areas. The considerable number of Aleppo pine plants (saplings
and seedlings) on all plots demonstrated successful markedly abundant natural regeneration,
but also the problem of the absence of autochthonous broad-leaved vegetation (with
the exception of Kor~ula). The measured plants, 15 000 - 39 000 per ha (Split), 56 000 -
105 000 (Kor~ula), and 106 000 - 121 000 ([ibenik), demonstrates that young plants of
Aleppo pine, by their number, height of over 2.5 m, overgrew the burnt, material and entirely
covered the burnt area.
The experiment indicates a change in the approach to treatment of burnt areas by omitting
unnecessary, painstaking and expensive piling up and stacking of remaining scorched
material in strips. In such highly complex way arranged material, exposed to air in Mediterranean
Dinaric conditions, very slowly disintegrates, and its mass over the years increases
already permanent danger of fire, and disrupts the landscape.
Re-establishment is recommended by tending and fragmentation of scorched material
over the surface by using a chain-saw, thus enabling the remaining material to adhere to the
soil as much as possible.
Moisture from the soil and micro-climate conditions of the young stand of Aleppo pine,
containing the material treated in this way, will contribute to faster growth of micro-organisms,
its disintegration and humification.
As a pioneering tree species of the Eu-Mediterranean, Aleppo pine plays a significant
and irreplaceable pioneering role in making the devastated area green again, and also in the
preparation of stand conditions for the arrival of autochthonous vegetation - in particular
Holm oak, which represents a basic climatogenic species of this region.
Keywords
natural regeneration; young growth; forest fires; tending of burnt area; Aleppo pine; Holm oak
Hrčak ID:
26010
URI
Publication date:
24.9.2006.
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