Original scientific paper
Research of thriving of six coniferous species in ecologically characteristic regions of Croatia
Sanja Perić
; Forest Research Institute, Jastrebarsko
Ivan Seletković
Jasnica Medak
Ivan Pilaš
Vlado Topić
Abstract
Forest Research Institute, Jastrebarsko has started in the 1960s establishment of comparative
experiments of various autochthonous and alochthonous coniferous species with
an aim of selecting ecologically and economically most productive forest species for afforestation
of forest areas and other areas not yet afforested. There are 330 000 hectares of such
areas in The Republic of Croatia. This research concentrates on three comparative experiments
on six coniferous species established in three different bioclimatic units, i.e. ecologically
different forest areas. Three autochtonous species were included in the experiments
(Common spruce, Scotch pine, Black pine) and three alochtonous species (European larch,
Northern white pine, Douglas fir). These are economically most interesting species of conifers
and are frequently used in Croatia for the establishment of forest cultures. The following
aspects should by all means be taken into consideration in establishing forest cultures:
productive capacity of the soil of an area in question (edaphic characteristics), climatic conditions
of the area and ecological requirements and biological properties of each species.
Success of afforestation and establishment of conifer cultures depends on a high degree of
harmonization among special requirements of the species and soil productivity.
This paper describes a trend of survival percentage relationships by tree species and localities
from the establishment of the experiment up to 32nd year of the age of the plants.
Heights and d.b.h of all six coniferous species (Common spruce, Scotch pine, Black pine,
European larch, Northern white pine and Douglas fir) were measured, height and diameter
growth were analysed and the data were statistically processed. Chemical composition of
the leaf mass for particular tree species and for each locality was defined as one of important
indicators of growth and development of the species. The climate of each locality
(Lokve, Slatki potok, Durgutovica) was analysed on the closest weather stations for respective
areas (weather stations Karlovac, Bjelovar and Vinkovci) with the following parameters:
average annual air temperature, average annual quantity of precipitation and maximal
and minimal quantities of annual precipitation. The aim is to compare previously mentioned
parameters by localities and to define their influence on thriving of particular tree
species planted in the experiment.
Keywords
comparative trial, coniferous species; survival; height; DBH; mineral nutrient concentration
Hrčak ID:
26015
URI
Publication date:
24.9.2006.
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