Natural regeneration of high mountain forests is slow. It is influenced by many factors, the knowledge of which is important for silvicultural measures and future management. In 2020, we analysed regeneration in five approximately 34-year-old gaps, ranging in size from 0.09 to 0.16 hectare in a high mountain spruce forest on the northern slope of the Pohorje Mountain below Velika Kopa. The young trees were of heterogeneous structure and, in terms of densities, coverage, heights, and height increment, were most developed in the central and northern (sunward side) part of the gap. The analysis confirms the high importance of light for natural regeneration in the studied sites. Woody debris was also important. The initial size of the gap was suitable for regeneration, but later it would be reasonable to gradually extend the gap northwards, taking ecological factors into account.
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