Conversion and Preservation of Forests Damaged by Air Pollution in the Highlands of the GDR

1990

S. 463-476

1 Abb., 7 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

200085944

Forest damage caused by air pollution covers a large area in the highlands of the GDR. Formerly, waste gasses containing SO2 were dominating, recently numerous other pollutants have joined. In coverting damaged areas the choice of tree species plays a special role, because in addition to the original site environmental changes, which already occured or are expected in future on account of anthropogenic influences, have to be taken into consideration. The often very extreme environmental conditions prevailing on air-polluted areas require special care and various additional expenses for regeneration. Damaged, but still viable older spruce stands are for a possibly long period managed according to principles of graduated thinning from below. Physiological and mechanical wind blast playing an important role in the highlands of the GDR. These effects are to be minimized by applying a proper felling system. For air-polluted regions of greater extent conversion projects, which at the same time take ecological, technological and economical viewpoints into consideration, are required.