Natural Regeneration of Beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Black Pine (Pinus nigra) Forest Stands in Albania : Modelling Regeneration Success and Early Growth of Forest Stands. Proceedings from the IUFRO Conference held in Copenhagen, 10-13 June 1996

Horsholm

1996

S. 77-84

12 Lit. Ang.

Bandaufführung

78851

According to management goals, in old natural forest stands of beech and black pine generally has been applied succesfully the shelterwood uniform system and rarely the group or strip system, and ocasionally selection system. Field studies have shown that natural regeneration is established itself on 82 per cent of the area. In the beech stands the best results have been achieved applying shelterwood uniform system with three stages. During the seeding felling 30-40 per cent of the crop is removed; the secondary felling begins when the young crop is 20-30 cm high and 3-5 years old, decreasing the canopy to 0.3-0.4; and the final felling takes place when saplings are 30-80 cm high and 8-10 years old. As a strong light demander specie, in the black pine stands the shelterwood uniform system is applied in two stages. The seeding felling consists of removing 40-60 per cent of the crop and a final felling follows when the young crop is 25-50 cm high and 4-6 years old. Mixed stands of beech and silver fir or black pine or other species have been treated differenciated regarding stages and respective removal intensity, direct seeding on partial mast years, weeding control, cleanings amongst the younger yield and other measures to assist regeneration, aiming protection and improvement of stand composition with the most valuable native species. After the seeding felling where the litter is thicker than 3 cm its removal is required 1-2 years before the mast year, as well as a ground cultivation where undesired vegetation impedes regeneration. The chief factors that determine the complete regeneration as forest type, seed suply, stand density, site, conditions, etc., are discussed. Some damages of the natural regeneration occurred during the harvesting process or by grazing and climate conditions are described. Because of the restriction to apply secondary and final fellings only during the response season, new growth of many stans is higher than 2-3 m and needs the final cutting as soon as possible, which is a difficult problem under present conditions to keep regeneration. Some possible solutions are discussed. There are more 85,000 ha of virgin and natural forests-stable ecosystems of considerable value for wildlife, biodiversity and recreation. Partly they may be proposed as national parks or forest reserves, and partly would be appropriate to be harvested and naturally regenerated through close-to-nature management.