Original scientific paper
Impact of Forest Tending on Structural Characteristics of Coppices in Lika
Milan Štimac
; Hrvatske šume, UŠP Gospić
Abstract
Our research determined structural elements of different coppice types in Lika five years after they were tended with thinning. Coppices in the region of Lika are characterized by a low degree of applied tending operations and inaccessibility caused by the lack of forest roads. Four morphological types can be differentiated: transitional coppices, typical coppices, coppices in regression and thickets. Field measurements were undertaken in five permanent sample plots. Structural stand elements in these plots were measured at the end of the vegetation period in 2007. Total measurements of breast diameters of all trees were performed by diameter class, storey, tree species and origin (generative, vegetative), and height samples were recorded and increment cores taken for increment assessment separately for seed trees and sprouts from stumps. Seed trees show significantly higher values of structural elements. The fact that seed trees manifest higher productivity and vitality clearly indicates that they should be silviculturally favored regardless of coppice type. Intensities and volumes of the next thinning operation will depend on the average age volume increment and stand age, as well as on the total stand volume at the end of the thinning cycle. In order to increase the basic volume and achieve stand stability, the volume of the next thinning operation should amount to 40–45 % of the ten-year current volume increment.
Keywords
coppice; Forest tending; Lika; stand structure
Hrčak ID:
48379
URI
Publication date:
28.2.2010.
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