Journal of Forest Science, 2008 (vol. 54), issue 7

Effects of moisture content, storage temperature and type of storage bag on the germination and viability of stored European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seeds

Z. Procházková, L. Bezděčková

J. For. Sci., 2008, 54(7):287-293 | DOI: 10.17221/37/2008-JFS  

Beechnuts from three Fagus sylvatica lots were dried at 20°C to 5-6% or 8-9% (fresh weight basis) moisture content and stored at -7°C or -22°C for 3.5 or 4.5 years in sealed polyethylene bags containing air and routinely used for the long-term storage of beechnuts or vacuumed (de-aerated) polyethylene bags with air removed before sealing. The germination and viability (tetrazolium test) of beechnuts were determined according to the Czech Technical Rules (1997) once a year during storage. The results were subjected to factorial ANOVA and the means were compared using the Scheffe test at P > 0.05. Compared to beechnuts dried to an 8-9%...

Results of a phenological study of the tree layer of a mixed stand in the region of the Drahanská vrchovina Upland

L. Merklová, E. Bednářová

J. For. Sci., 2008, 54(7):294-305 | DOI: 10.17221/15/2008-JFS  

The paper presents the results of phenological studies of Norway spruce (Picea abies[L.] Karst.), European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) in a mixed stand in 2004 to 2007. The results show different onset and duration of phenological stages in the particular years. This broad range was important in spring phenological stages. High correlations were determined between the mean air temperature and the start of phenological stages in monitored species. The onset and duration of autumn phenological stages are affected not only by air temperature but also by air humidity. The annual variability in...

Changes in Austrian pine forest floor properties in relation with altitude in mountainous areas

O. Sevgi, H. B. Tecimen

J. For. Sci., 2008, 54(7):306-313 | DOI: 10.17221/819-JFS  

Altitudinal studies has become of interest to ecologists concentrated on functional alterations aiming to clarify the effects of limiting factors. Nutrient element release from forest floor (FF) decomposition is suppressed by those factors such as low temperature, shortened vegetation period concluding FF accumulation at high elevation fields. To draw out a response to the FF decomposition issue, FF layers as leaf + fermentation (L + F) and humus (H) were collected from 37 representative sample plots along an altitudinal gradient (from 1,400 m to 1,710 m) on Kaz (Balikesir-Turkey) mountain. Mass, pH, organic matter (OM) and total nitrogen (Nt) contents...

Analysis of the production potential of raw wood in the forests of Slovakia

R. Petráš, J. Mecko

J. For. Sci., 2008, 54(7):314-320 | DOI: 10.17221/10/2008-JFS  

Production of raw wood material and its regulation has a great ecological and economic importance in every country. The aim of the paper is to analyze the prospective production of raw wood with respect to the expected basic tree species composition and assortment structure on an example of long-term development of selected indicators of forest condition in Slovakia. For this analysis we used data on the area, growing stock and planned decennial timber felling in the forests of Slovakia in 1980, 1996 and 2003. The production potential of forests was evaluated on the basis of the annual perspective allowable cut by 2020, from which the prospective production...

Production potential of Douglas fir at mesotrophic sites of Křtiny Training Forest Enterprise

P. Kantor

J. For. Sci., 2008, 54(7):321-332 | DOI: 10.17221/35/2008-JFS  

: The study evaluates production parameters (height, diameter at breast height, volume) of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) at mesotrophic sites of the Křtiny Training Forest Enterprise in mature stands. In total, 29 mixed stands were assessed with the registered proportion of Douglas fir at an age of 85 to 136 years. Comparing the 10 largest Douglas firs with the 10 largest spruces or larches higher, and as a rule markedly higher, production potential of introduced Douglas fir was found in all assessed stands. There were also groups of trees where the volume of Douglas fir was twice to 3 times higher than the volume of spruce...