We studied the removal of dispersed European beech and Norway spruce seeds in a high-altitude spruce forest in the Pahernik forests on northern Pohorje. The aim was to determine how seed removal is influenced by tree species, cover with organic material, spatial distribution of an equal number of seeds, experimental position, time, and possible abiotic factors. The study was conducted from June 2025 to June 2026 in three canopy gaps and adjacent stands. Seeds were placed in large and small containers and on wooden boards, while animal activity was monitored using camera traps. A total of 34,884 seeds were included in the analysis, of which 27,445, or 78.7%, were removed. The clearest effect was seed cover, as removal was significantly higher for uncovered than covered seeds. Differences between beech and spruce, between forest stand and gap, and between different spatial distributions of seeds were not statistically significant. Seed removal increased rapidly during the first weeks and remained high later in the study. Camera traps most frequently recorded small mammals and birds, while chamois was also frequently observed. The results indicate that seed removal is an important early regeneration filter. For direct seeding under similar high-altitude conditions, moderate seed covering and distribution across several suitable microsites appear to be appropriate practical measures.
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