J. For. Sci., 2011, 57(12):523-535 | DOI: 10.17221/31/2011-JFS

Structure and origin of mountain Norway spruce in the Bohemian Forest

V. Čada, M. Svoboda
Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic

Information on the historical background of the present forest conditions is needed for proper decisions on forest management. Disturbances play a major role in the formation of forest structure and composition. This paper compares the present break-up of mountain spruce stands in the Bohemian Forest (in the Šumava Protected Landscape Area) with conditions during their initiation using dendrochronological techniques. On three selected localities we established two study plots within relatively old stands of unknown origin. Stands were recently broken up by a windstorm. The present situation was described by diameter and decay class distribution. To describe the situation at the stand initiation, we cored at least 40 stems on each plot to get the age structure and growth series of trees. Disturbances were marked by discovering synchronous releases on tree-ring series. Main population waves were initiated in association with severe disturbances during a relatively short period, leading to the establishment of relatively even-aged, homogeneously looking stands. The disturbances were synchronized between plots and accounted for by historically known windstorms or bark beetle outbreaks; notwithstanding, logging as a disturbance factor is also particularly possible.

Keywords: dendroecology; natural disturbance; Picea abies (L.) Karst.; regeneration; stand dynamics; disturbance history

Published: December 31, 2011  Show citation

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Čada V, Svoboda M. Structure and origin of mountain Norway spruce in the Bohemian Forest. J. For. Sci. 2011;57(12):523-535. doi: 10.17221/31/2011-JFS.
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