The stands of noble hardwoods, which occur as potential natural vegetation on the extreme habitats in Kamniška Bistrica, are classified as a European priority habitat type. In order to give special nature conservation consideration, an analysis of the conservation status of the vegetation and stand structure was carried out. For this purpose, 10 research plots of 20 x 20 m were set up. In each of them we made a vegetation relevé, inventoried the stand parameters and rejuvenation, and measured the dead trees. The results were divided into two sets. The first set consisted of a phytocenological analysis, which gave an insight into the state of the vegetation. We found that the stands are species diverse and have a lush herbaceous layer covering a large area. There are also many nitrophilous species present, indicating rich stands typical for noble hardwoods. Using classification, we divided the relevés into two groups and classified them into the association Lamio orvalae-Aceretum P. Košir et Marinček 1999. In the second part of the study we focused on stand structure, where tree composition is an important indicator of the state of conservation. Where sycamore maple and European ash dominate, there are true aceretal sites. In the absence of signs suggesting pastoralism and agricultural cultivation in the past, it cannot be said that some areas represent successional stages in beech and hornbeam stands. We conclude that sycamore maple and European ash play an important successional role, especially on unstable terrain.
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