This paper reports on stand structure, litter fall, seed dispersal and leaf herbivory of Norway maple (Acer plataoides) in a beech (Fagus sylvatica)-mixed forest with valuable broad-leaved tree species on limestone. The 1.7 ha site is located in the "Göttinger Wald" east of Göttingen on a Triasic limestone plateau at an elevation of about 420 m above sea level. The 120-135 year old stand has not been logged since the 1960s. A total of 15 mature Norway maples were found on the site, making up about 5 % of the growing stock, while beech dominates with more than 90 %. Norway maples in the upper storey are suppressed and partly overgrown by the surrounding beech trees. In contrast, a high percentage (22-78 %) of the regeneration trees consists of Norway maple while beech contribute only 0-3 % of the regeneration layer. Density and growth of Norway maples are apparently related to even small differences in light intensity on the plots. Ranging between 2 and 4 % of full sunlight light intensity on the site mostly seems to be just sufficient to support the development of a small regeneration cohort that stays in a waiting position for gaps in the canopy. In general the regeneration layer suffers heavily from the consequences of roe deer browsing. Over 80 % of the Norway mpale higher than 33 cm was damaged, while "only" 56 % of the beech regeneration was damaged. Best fit for the dispersal of Norway maple seeds was provided by a negative exponential function. In absolute numbers, most seeds stay in distance up to 40 m (according to Fig. 2 most stay within 10 m) while a very small proportion reaches up to 100 m. Resulting average seed densities in the experiment stand were 8.7 seeds per m2 (weighed average for all distances). Observed insect herbiovory on the leaves of Norway maple in the upper storey as well as in the regeneration layer (5-17 %) exceeded normal leaf area losses for broad-leaved trees in central Europe (3-7 % according to Röhrig u. Bartsch 1992). Fungal damage was low. In conclusion the biggest factor hindering the sucessful spreading of native Norway maple is lieght competition of the native beech. Heavy browsing by roe deer puts Norway maple at a disadvantage compared to the beech. Insect herbivory apparently only plays a minor role.
