Effect of stand density on oak regeneration in flood plain forests in Lower Silesia,

Oxford

2008

3 Abb., 8 Tab., 37 Lit. Ang.

Artikel aus einer ZeitschriftUnselbständiges Werk

12144

200151925

The paper describes the structure, growth and vitality of natural oak regeneration in relation to stand density. To gain a better understanding of regeneration strategies, the investigation was carried out in oak forest flood plains in Poland, which were flooded in the summer of 1997. To study the stand structure and regeneration, 108 circular plots were established in stands managed using the shelterwood system. In addition, five gaps were chosen in a stand managed using the group cutting system (Legnica forest district). The results of the study showed that oak regenerated spontaneously in all stands. The abundance and vitality of oak seedlings and saplings were very high. The number of oak seedlings and saplings significantly depended on stand density. The greatest maximum height was found in gaps (146.0 cm) and in a stand with open canopy (88.9 cm) in Wolów. In Wolów and Miekinia, the shortest oaks grew in the worst light conditions. To regenerate naturally, oak stands in preparatory cutting should be reduced in the number of trees per hectare to ~150 and decreased in basal area to ~26 m2 ha–1. The group cutting system can be used in oak stands growing on flood plain sites, but there is the danger of ground vegetation development in openings.