Entwicklungsdynamik eines buchendominierten „Naturwald“-Dauerbeobachtungsbestands auf Kalk im Nationalpark Hainich/Thüringen

Weihenstephan

Zentrum Wald Forst Holz Weihenstephan

2005

S. 67-81

11 Abb., 7 Tab., 26 Lit. Ang.

Artikel aus einer ZeitschriftUnselbständiges Werk

200136635

Waldökologie-online 2006, (3), S. 67-81

A long term study of the natural dynamics of a semi-natural beech forest largely untouched for fifty years began in 1999. A part of the >150 year old beech/ash stand was completely inventoried (28 ha), and the gaps in the forest canopy measured repeatedly. The gaps ranged from 8 - 592 m2, with a mean size of less than 150 m2. There were, on average, 3 gaps/ha, occupying less than 4 % of the stand area. The establishment and survival rates of admixed species were low under the largely intact canopy. The total seedling number was only slightly higher in the gaps (approx. 7 plants/m2) than under the canopy (approx. 6 plants/m2). The problem of seedling establishment was exacerbated by the unregulated influence of deer. Ash seedlings rarely exceeded heights of 50 cm without the protection of fencing, and the development of the sycamores was halted at 90 cm. Even the unpalatable beech benefited slightly from fencing. The average volume of coarse woody debris (CWD) was 62 m3/ha, comprised chiefly of large lying timber, but also of large standing dead wood. The findings to date support the assumption that beech forests left to develop naturally regenerate gradually by means of numerous small scale disturbances, and tend towards an ever greater dominance of beech.