The purpose of the thesis was to evaluate forest's natural regeneration after severe disturbances. We studied forest's ability to recover and return to its initial state after a severe disturbance. The measurements took place near Ravnik. The research plots were established in two disturbance patches that were affected by sleet in 2014, followed by an extensive gradation of bark beetles in 2015 and 2016. We analysed densities of natural and planted seedlings, planted in 2017, evaluated factors effecting natural regeneration and analysed differences between plots with and without canopy cover. The average density of natural seedlings was 915 per hectare. The highest density of natural seedlings was found among beech (365 per hectare) and sycamore (175 per hectare). Ground vegetation covered 87,5 % of the area on average and Rubus spp. were not spread in scale big enough to significantly affect natural regeneration. We discovered high mortality rate of saplings, especially beech saplings (70 %). Natural regeneration was additionally slowed down by browsing of seedlings by large herbivores. The total of browsed seedlings was 53 %. The statistically significant differences between plots with and without canopy cover were found in share of ground vegetation, density beech seedlings and in height stratification of regeneration of rowan, sycamore and elm.
|
