This thesis re-examines the field-layer vegetation and the natural seedling regeneration in large scale even-aged spruce stands on Krašica (karst) plateau in Savinja Alps on Homogyno-sylvestris Fagetum asociation and Petasitus albus growing type. To better understand the developmental vegetation processes, we compared the results to surveys conducted in years 1993, 1994, 1998. Research was conducted on 10 experimental plots - gaps. In 4 smaller gaps we inventoried 56 sub-plots 1 m2 in size, in 4 large gaps we inventoried 29 sub-plots sized 25 m2, and we also inventoried 15 1 m2 sized sub-plots under the canopy cover. Half of the plots under tree canopy was fenced for studying the effects of ungulate browsing. The dominant height and vegetation species richness decreased with age. The results showed that small gaps do not enable natural regeneration. In larger gaps data showed differences between different ages and locations. Saplings and seedlings in older gaps were higher, showed the best height transitioning on eastern parts of the gaps and the highest density on southern parts of the gaps. In the fenced gaps we have detected higher density of silver fir and lower number of spruce saplings and seedlings, which we attribute to shrub cover.
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