In the Kopa Primeval Forest Reserve in 2021/22, we surveyed the dynamics of vegetation (seed plants and ferns) on 24 plots using Braun-Blanquet's standard method and compared it with the survey conducted almost four decades ago using Piskernik's method. We found that the virgin forest reserve is already in the final stage of its development, which indicates quite dynamic processes that are also manifested in the understory of the vegetation. The herbaceous layer consists of both shade-tolerant plants and plants that have somewhat better light conditions. Comparison with previous surveys indicates that there have been no major changes during the study period, as Ellenberg and Pignatti's weighted estimates of phytoindication have remained relatively the same as the surveys have been repeated. The frequent clogging of vegetation layers indicates the effects of small-scale disturbance from weakened and fallen trees, while at the same time the initial phase is gradually becoming established. Despite the higher number of species recorded, the coverage of individual understory vegetation species was significantly lower compared to previous censuses, which could be due to differences in survey methodology, subjective assessment by the enumerator, and timing of the survey. However, given the current climate crisis and warming, we did not detect a shift in species toward thermophily.
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