Journal of Forest Science, 2006 (vol. 52), issue 7

Ecological valence of expanding European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) in the Bohemian Karst (Czech Republic)

S. Střeštík, P. Šamonil

J. For. Sci., 2006, 52(7):293-305 | DOI: 10.17221/4511-JFS  

In 2002 a study focused on the evaluation of height and density of expanding natural regeneration of Fraxinus excelsior L. (FE) was carried out on Velká hora Hill, a locality in the Bohemian Karst (Český kras). The examined area is located in Karlštejn National Nature Reserve and takes up around 31 ha. The parent rock is limestone. The expansion depends on soil and exposition conditions and relates to the water balance gradient. FE reached the highest densities (up to 6,000 individuals/400 m²) on Velká hora's peak plateau on medium-deep, heavy-textured decarbonized soils. The lowest expansion (508 individuals/400 m²)...

Regional analysis of climate change impact on Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) growth in Slovak mountain forests

J. Ďurský, J. Škvarenina, J. Minďáš, A. Miková

J. For. Sci., 2006, 52(7):306-315 | DOI: 10.17221/4512-JFS  

The paper presents the results of a regional analysis of climate change impacts on Norway spruce growth in the north-western part of Slovakia(Orava region). Radial increment was determined from nine X-tree sample plots established in the forests of natural character in the region. The analysis of PTT radial increment was done on tree disks cut from a height of 1.3 m by measurements of four perpendicular directions corresponding to the cardinal points. It was derived from the tree-ring width measured at breast height (1.3 m) while all the basic principles of tree-ring analyses were observed (transport and borehole treatment, measurements with digital...

Application of image analysis in plant pathology and forest protection

P. Čermák, P. Mazal, D. Palovčíková, L. Jankovský

J. For. Sci., 2006, 52(7):316-323 | DOI: 10.17221/4513-JFS  

By means of computer-based image analysis it was possible to accelerate and automate a number of originally time-consuming activities in plant pathology and forest protection. In 1997-2005, image analysis was applied to the measuring of the size of colonies of fungi in vitro, feeding mark area, mass measuring of the size of spores and other microscopic objects, assessment of the progress of rot in a stem etc. The paper brings particular examples of the application of image analysis including methodical procedures and examples of research results obtained using Lucia G and Quick Photo Micro programs.

Recreational load as a driving variable for urban forests

I. Kupka

J. For. Sci., 2006, 52(7):324-328 | DOI: 10.17221/4514-JFS  

Green areas and urban forests represent important factors of urbanized environment which attracts more and more attention of forest management and silviculture. Recreational load and its types are the most important driving variable for the management framework in which basic silvicultural methods should be applied. The problem of the required combination of natural and social limits is resolved by a matrix which takes into account forest ecosystem quality and recreation. The matrix defines 9 or 27 units (their number depends on the fact if we take into account the age of stand or not) for which basic management rules could be prepared. The basic rules...

Effects of game on the condition and development of natural regeneration in the Vrapač National Nature Reserve (Litovelské Pomoraví)

P. Čermák, R. Mrkva

J. For. Sci., 2006, 52(7):329-336 | DOI: 10.17221/4515-JFS  

In 2001-2005, the effects of game on the condition and development of natural regeneration of a floodplain forest were studied in three permanent transects in the Vrapač National Nature Reserve (NNR). Fraxinus excelsior, Acer pseudoplatanus, Acer campestre and Acer platanoides predominated in the regeneration. The species were markedly damaged by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) browsing, the most affected being Acer pseudoplatanus. In spite of always newly occurring trees from self-seeding, the abundance of trees decreased during the studied period, self-seeding...