In extensive fir-beech forests the Silver Fir was subjected to rapid drying inthe last few decades. In addition, its natural regeneration is poor, upon which large herbivore wildlife has a significant impact. The purpose of our thesis was to investigate the effect of gap size to the success of fir rejuvenation and game damage on tree seedlings. Inventory of the game damage was conducted in summer 2008 in the Abieti-Fagetum dinaricum forests in the Vrhnika GGE. Specifications and measurements were conducted using modern GIS and GPS methods on one hundred and twenty plots at the size of 1,5 * 1,5 m. Game damage to tree species saplings was determined in three height classes. Total game damage on saplings inside gaps was 63%, and is estimated as too high. Silver Fir, whitch is an essential component in these forests, is not rejuvenating as a result of high game pressure. Differences in game damage on seedlings of tree species between small and large gaps are not significantly different; saplings of deciduous trees in larger gaps are higher and denser than in small gaps. Also the significant differences in the total height of the tree species seedlings were not found. The results show that it is not necessary to restrict logging according to the choice of gap size in order to improve the dietary conditions for wildlife. More attention should be paid to a balanced ratio of development phases in the forests, while improving conditions in the wild game living environment.
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