Selection management emerged as an alternative to the clear-cutting system and became established in Slovenia after World War II. Leopold Hufnagl is recognized as a pioneer
of selection management in Slovenia and beyond, having introduced selection forest management to the Kočevje region—our research site—approximately 130 years ago. In the Pasje Jame research forest (Kočevje forest region, Draga forest management unit, compartment 64), we collected data on tree and stand characteristics through a full inventory of 24 sample plots. The aim of this research was to determine the current state of the forest stands and compare it with their condition in 2001. Our analysis of the stand structure and tree composition showed that silver fir and European beech are the dominant tree species in these Dinaric selection forests. There's also some Norway spruce, with individual occurrences of sycamore maple, wych elm, lime, and European
hop-hornbeam. The average growing stock is 533 m3/ha, and the stand basal area is 40.3 m2/ha. As tree diameter increases, the number of trees significantly decreases, while their proportion in the growing stock increases. Most of the growing stock consists of larger trees with a diameter at breast height ≥50 cm, and over 80 % of these trees show good vitality. An analysis of stand development between 2001 and 2024 indicates an increase in the stand's growing stock and the proportion of fir, while the proportions of spruce and beech have decreased. The stands have maintained their selection structure; however, without continued management, this structure could shift towards a more even-aged one.
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