Effects of Gap Size and Cardinal Directions on Natural Regeneration, Growth Dynamics of Trees outside the Gaps and Soil Properties in European Beech Forests of Southern Italy

The present study was focused on how cardinal directions inside gaps of different sizes (small, 200 m2; medium, 400 m2; and large, 600 m2) can affect soil characteristics and tree regeneration. Additionally, the effects of gap size on the growth dynamics of trees outside the gaps were evaluated. The study was carried out in a European beech stand located in Aspromonte National Park (Southern Apennines, Calabria, Italy). Microclimatic variables, physical, chemical, and biochemical soil properties, natural regeneration density, and growth trees outside the gaps density of natural regeneration were assessed. This study provided evidence for an important effect of cardinal points on micro-environmental parameter variability, nutrient cycle, physic-chemical soil properties, water availability, and biological processes such as trees growth and regeneration. The European beech natural regeneration was most abundant in the south part of the gaps. Thus, we can state that cardinal points affect the trees natural regeneration in a species-specific manner. The new microclimatic conditions due to the gap opening had positive effects on the tree growth located along the gap edge, especially in the trees sampled on the edges of the medium gaps. On the contrary, the trees located in the forest recorded a productivity coherent with the period prior the gap opening. In medium-sized gaps, the combination and interaction of microclimatic and soil parameters (humification and mineralization process and microbial activity) created the best conditions for beech natural regeneration and favored an increase in the productivity of the trees at the edge of the gaps.

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Effects of gap size on natural regeneration and micro-environmental soil conditions in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) dominated mixed forest

Plant Soil and Environment ◽

10.17221/397/2020-pse ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (No. 12) ◽

pp. 607-615

Author(s):

Maame Esi Hammond ◽

Radek Pokorný

Keyword(s):

Picea Abies ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Fagus Sylvatica ◽

Natural Regeneration ◽

Mixed Forest ◽

European Beech ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Gap Size ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Fagus Sylvatica L

The study focused on the effects of gap size on natural regeneration of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) and micro-environmental soil conditions in gaps of different sizes under temperate mixed forest in the Czech Republic. Six gaps comprising two for small (≥ 200 m2), medium (≥ 500 m2) and big (≥ 900 m2) each were selected. Ten circular 1 m2 subsampling plots were established at 2 m intervals along individual North-South-East-West transects, including one at the gap centre. Regeneration was monitored in 2014 and repeatedly in 2019. Soil conditions were only measured in 2019. Gap size was found to be a significant parameter for European beech natural regeneration in 2014. Besides, the quick occupation of European beech in gaps at natural beech zone provoked its prolific regeneration compared to Norway spruce in 2014. However, in 2019 the recent threat of weather variabilities was responsible for the general abysmal growth performance of natural regeneration. Division of gap microsites into different within-gap positions based on prevailing light or shade conditions was helpful in assessing the significant variations of soil conditions within-gap positions and among gap sizes. Soil temperature and moisture significantly influenced the regeneration of European beech and Norway spruce, respectively.

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Preliminary assessment of effect of disturbance on natural regeneration in gaps of different sizes

Journal of Forest Science ◽

10.17221/25/2020-jfs ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (No. 5) ◽

pp. 185-196

Author(s):

Maame Esi Hammond ◽

Radek Pokorny

Keyword(s):

Natural Regeneration ◽

European Beech ◽

Beech Forest ◽

Gap Size ◽

Light Conditions ◽

Vegetation Zone ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Direct Light ◽

Before And After

The study focused on natural regeneration of European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and European larch (Larix decidua) within very small and four times bigger size gaps following a disturbance at a mixed temperate forest in the Czech Republic. In spring 2013, experimental gap design starts, when 1 m2 circular sampling plots along transects were delineated within four selected naturally occurring canopy openings with size below 20 m2. In December 2013, these initial canopy openings were artificially enlarged by felling to 226 m2 for small and 904 m2 for big gaps. Regeneration was monitored in the next two consecutive growing seasons after disturbance. Light conditions were measured before and after disturbance. Results indicated that four times larger gaps increased twice levels of light conditions, and that diffuse light starts to equilibrate to direct light there. Large gaps were favouring larch regeneration. Beech regeneration was predominant, independently on gap size as the study area belongs naturally to Beech Forest Vegetation Zone, however, the decline of spruce regeneration was presumably linked to drought. Gap size explained variation of larch regeneration in gaps. Contrarily, gap size could not be associated with the prolific regeneration of beech and abysmal regeneration performances of spruce in gaps.

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Canopy gaps and tree regeneration patterns in multi-species unmanaged natural forest Sitno (preliminary results)

Beskydy ◽

10.11118/beskyd201306010017 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 17-26 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lucia Danková ◽

M. Saniga

Keyword(s):

Tree Species ◽

Natural Regeneration ◽

Canopy Gaps ◽

Tree Regeneration ◽

Acer Pseudoplatanus ◽

Gap Size ◽

Acer Platanoides ◽

Large Variability ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Closed Canopy

The study of canopy gaps structure and tree regeneration patterns was conducted in mixed old-growth forest Sitno. We asked the following questions: What is the spatial scale of disturbance events? How does gap size affect the density of tree seedlings and saplings? Are there any differences in species composition of seedlings and saplings between the closed canopy and expanded gap? The research was conducted on a 2.5-ha (250 × 100 m) research plot. In total, 25 canopy openings were recorded. Canopy gaps and expanded gaps covered 22.8 % and 59.5 % of the research area. The most frequent were canopy gaps with the size up to 300 m2(64 %). Regarding the number of gapmakers, we recorded a quite large variability with the highest frequency of the gaps with 1 and 4 gapmakers. Regeneration structure (density and frequency) was sampled in 3.14 m2circular plot (n = 216) established on the grid intersections (10 × 10 m). A total of 8 tree species were identified in natural regeneration. The difference between overall density of natural regeneration under closed canopy and in expanded gaps was observed. The density of all tree species seedlings (except ofCarpinus betulus) was higher under closed canopy than in expanded gaps. The most frequent were seedlings ofAcer pseudoplatanusandAcer platanoideswhich occurred on 80 % and 73 % of the plots under closed canopy, and 75 % and 68 % of the plots in expanded gaps. Seedlings ofQuercus petraeawere not recorded. Density of saplings was higher in expanded gaps than under canopy (except of saplings ofAcer platanoidesandTilia cordata). The density of saplings ofAcer pseudoplatanusandAcer platanoidesincreased with increasing size of expanded gap, whileFraxinus excelsiorsaplings density decreased. There was no significant relationship between density of other species seedlings and saplings and expanded gap size.

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Dynamic response of herbaceous vegetation to gap opening in a Central European beech stand

Silva Fennica ◽

10.14214/sf.65 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Kristóf Kelemen ◽

Barbara Mihók ◽

László Gálhidy ◽

Tibor Standovár

Keyword(s):

Dynamic Response ◽

European Beech ◽

Herbaceous Vegetation ◽

Central European ◽

Beech Stand ◽

Gap Opening

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Monitoring of natural regeneration in a mixed deciduous forest

Silva Gandavensis ◽

10.21825/sg.v64i0.829 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 64 ◽

Author(s):

K. M. Tabari ◽

N. Lust

Keyword(s):

Survival Rate ◽

Natural Regeneration ◽

Deciduous Forest ◽

Seedling Stage ◽

Permanent Plots ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Humus Layer ◽

Beech Stand ◽

Regeneration Phase

Monitoring of natural regeneration in a dense semi-natural mixed hardwood forest on the base of ash, beech, oak and sycamore occurred over 3 years in the Aelmoeseneie experimental forest, Belgium. 40 permanent plots (4 m x 5 m) were selected in three various humus types, located in an ash stand and in an oak - beech stand. In all plots abundance and top height of all broad leaved regenerated species were determined at the end of the growing seasons 1995 and 1998. In addition, the seedlings which appeared in the plots during 1996 and 1997 were identified and followed up. This study proves that in the investigated sites natural regeneration is drastically poor and diversity is low, in particular where the humus layer is more acidic (mull moder) and the litter layer is thick. No regeneration phase older than the seedling stage (h < 40 cm) is developed on the different humus types. On average, total number of seedlings in 1995 amounts to 38 units/are in the ash stand and to 63 units/are in the oak - beech stand. Survival rate over a 3- year period is 37% and 42% respectively in the ash and oak - beech stands. Total ingrowth during the growing seasons 1996 and 1997 is virtually poor, indicating 16 and 8 units/are respectively in above mentioned stands. Survival rate of occurring seedlings, as well as the ingrowth of new seedlings are notably different (P < 0.05) according to the soil conditions of the ash stand. Generally, the low presence of seedlings and the lack of regeneration older than the seedling stage reveal that the regeneration development encounters with a critical problem. The continuation of this process would likely result in a progressive succession by the invasive and the unwanted tree species.

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Distribution of the timber quality attribute ‘knot surface’ in logs of Fagus sylvatica L. from pure and mixed forest stands

European Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1007/s10342-021-01378-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kirsten Höwler ◽

Torsten Vor ◽

Peter Schall ◽

Peter Annighöfer ◽

Dominik Seidel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fagus Sylvatica ◽

Mixed Forest ◽

European Beech ◽

Forest Stands ◽

Species Identity ◽

Mixed Stands ◽

Mixed Forests ◽

Climate Conditions ◽

Timber Quality ◽

Positive Effects

AbstractResearch on mixed forests has mostly focused on tree growth and productivity, or resistance and resilience in changing climate conditions, but only rarely on the effects of tree species mixing on timber quality. In particular, it is still unclear whether the numerous positive effects of mixed forests on productivity and stability come at the expense of timber quality. In this study, we used photographs of sawn boards from 90 European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees of mixed and pure forest stands to analyze internal timber quality through the quality indicator knot surface that was quantitatively assessed using the software Datinf® Measure. We observed a decrease in knot surface with increasing distance from the pith as well as smaller values in the lower log sections. Regarding the influence of neighborhood species identity, we found only minor effects meaning that timber qualities in mixed stands of beech and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) tended to be slightly worse compared to pure beech stands.

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Modelling natural regeneration of European beech in Saxony, Germany: identifying factors influencing the occurrence and density of regeneration

European Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1007/s10342-021-01377-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maximilian Axer ◽

Sven Martens ◽

Robert Schlicht ◽

Sven Wagner

Keyword(s):

Natural Regeneration ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

European Beech ◽

Seed Source ◽

Permanent Plots ◽

Forest Conversion ◽

Ecological Knowledge ◽

Statistical Tool ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

The Impact

AbstractThe potential utilisation of natural regeneration of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) for forest conversion has received little attention to date. Ecological knowledge is necessary to understand and predict successful natural regeneration of beech. The objective of this study was to improve understanding of what drives the occurrence of beech regeneration and, once regeneration is present, what drives its density. In the study, we utilised a forest inventory dataset provided by Sachsenforst, the state forestry service of Saxony, Germany. The dataset was derived from 8725 permanent plots. Zero-altered negative binomial models (ZANB) with spatial random effects were used to analyse factors influencing occurrence and density simultaneously. The results provided by the spatial ZANB models revealed that the probability of the occurrence of beech regeneration is highly dependent on seed availability, i.e. dependent on source trees in close proximity to a plot. The probability of beech regeneration rises with the increasing diameter of a potential seed tree and decreases with increasing distance to the nearest potential seed source. The occurrence of regeneration is affected by overstorey composition and competition exerted by spruce regeneration. Where sites are affected by groundwater or temporary waterlogging, the impact on the occurrence of regeneration is negative. Although distance to the nearest potential seed source has an influence on occurrence, this variable exerts no influence on density. A high regeneration density arises in conjunction with a high beech basal area in the overstorey. Beech regeneration density, but not occurrence, is negatively affected by browsing intensity. These variables can be used to predict the occurrence and density of beech regeneration in space to a high level of precision. The established statistical tool can be used for decision-making when planning forest conversion using natural regeneration.

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Effects of gap size, gap age, and bamboo Fargesia denudata on Abies faxoniana recruitment in South-western China

Forest Systems ◽

10.5424/fs/2015242-06682 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. e025 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wen Kang ◽

Cheng Tian ◽

Dongwei Kang ◽

Mengjun Wang ◽

Yunxi Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Regeneration ◽

Research Area ◽

Western China ◽

Coniferous Forests ◽

Gap Size ◽

Abies Faxoniana ◽

Age Gap ◽

Natural Reserve ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Fargesia Denudata

Aim of study: to study the effects of gap size, gap age and bamboo Fargesia denudata on natural regeneration of Abies faxoniana, both of which are the ubiquitous dominants in our research area.Area of study: subalpine coniferous forests in Wanglang Natural Reserve in Southwestern China.Material and Methods: 10 transect belts were randomly established, and a total of 97 gaps were recorded and used.Main results: (1) the number of bamboos with coverage of <17% significantly increased with increases of gap size and age, but the latter had little influence on the numbers of F. denudata with coverage of >17%. (2) F. denudata strongly inhibited A. faxoniana seedlings and saplings in small, young and old gaps, where the amount of A. faxoniana recruitment was relatively abundant, than in other types of gap. (3) The numbers of A. faxoniana seedlings in A-gaps, significantly decreased with the increases in gap size. However, in gaps where F. denudate was also present, A. faxoniana seedlings and saplings were insensitive to gap size or age. Research highlights: thick F. denudata would not be influenced by gap size or age. Because of the low occurrences of A. faxoniana seedlings and saplings, the negative effect of gap size, gap age and F. denudata on A. faxoniana recruitment was unclear.Key words: Abies faxoniana; Fargesia denudata; gap age; gap size; regeneration.

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Hydrological effects of Norway spruce and European beech on snow cover in a mid-mountain region of the Polana mts., Slovakia / Hydrologický vplyv smreka obyčajného a buka lesného na snehovú pokrývku v stredohorských polohách pohoria poľana na slovensku

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics ◽

10.2478/v10098-012-0028-x ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 60 (4) ◽

pp. 319-332 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Matus Hribik ◽

Tomas Vida ◽

Jaroslav Skvarenina ◽

Jana Skvareninova ◽

Lubomir Ivan

Keyword(s):

Snow Cover ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Forest Canopy ◽

Biosphere Reserve ◽

European Beech ◽

Mountain Region ◽

Runoff Generation ◽

Forest Stands ◽

Snow Melting ◽

Beech Stand

The paper evaluates the results of a 6-year-monitoring of the eco-hydrological influence of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and European beech (Fagus silvatica L.) forest stands on the hydro-physical properties of snow cover. The experiment was carried out in the artificially regenerated 20-25-year-old forest stands approaching the pole timber stage in the middle mountain region of the Polana Mts. - Biosphere reserve situated at about 600 m a.s.l. during the period of maximum snow supply in winters of years 2004 - -2009. Forest canopy plays a decisive role at both the snow cover duration and spring snow melting and runoff generation. A spruce stand is the poorest of snow at the beginning of winter. High interception of spruce canopy hampers the throughfall of snow to soil. During the same period, the soil surface of a beech stand accumulates greater amount of snow. However, a spruce stand accumulates snow by creating snow heaps during the periods of maximum snow cumulation and stand´s microclimate slows down snow melting. These processes are in detail discussed in the paper. The forest stands of the whole biosphere reserve slow down to a significant extent both the snow cover melting and the spring runoff of the whole watershed.

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Potentials of Natural Tree Regeneration after Clearcutting in Subalpine Forests

Western Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/wjaf/23.1.46 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 46-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Juergen Kreyling ◽

Andreas Schmiedinger ◽

Ellen Macdonald ◽

Carl Beiekuhnlein

Keyword(s):

Natural Regeneration ◽

Pinus Contorta ◽

Woody Debris ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Forest Edge ◽

Tree Regeneration ◽

Tree Seedlings ◽

Tree Seedling ◽

Engelmann Spruce ◽

Understory Plant

Abstract Regeneration of interior mountain forests still is not adequately understood, although these forests are subject to intensified use over the last decades. We examined factors influencing the success of natural tree regeneration after harvesting in the Engelmann spruce–subalpine fir zone of the Monashee Mountains, British Columbia, Canada. Distance from the forest edge was an important factor for regeneration; at distances exceeding 70 m from the forest edge only 50% of plots showed sufficient natural regeneration to meet stocking targets compared with 90% of plots closer to forest edges. Seedling density and growth were superior in the more protected southern portions of clearcuts. Seedling growth was less in plots containing high cover of downed woody debris. There was no relationship between understory plant diversity or composition and tree seedling regeneration. However, cover of fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) had a significant negative relationship with density but not growth of tree seedlings, particularly for lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia). Cover of fireweed decline substantially within the first 10 years after clearcutting. We conclude that natural regeneration of trees has potential to help achieve stocking targets and also to maintain natural diversity of tree species if spatial constraints, especially thresholds in clearcut size, are considered.

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