In this thesis we were analyzing natural regeneration in gaps within the fir-beech forests in Jelovica. Deforestation areas appeared between 2015 and 2018 due to the spruce bark beetle attack. Only the areas that were not regenerated after the clearcut of the original stand were included in the survey. After some years in those forest gaps, the most rejuvenated trees include mountain ash trees, spruce, mountain maple, and fir. Beech is rarely present there. We found out that a mixture of juveniles depends on surrounding mature stands. If there are more spruce, beech, and mountain maple in the surrounding stands, also the gaps will be regenerated with the same juvenile variety of trees. Seed trees have a significant impact on the presence of juveniles. The latter is especially noticeable in the beech, fir, and spruce trees. Successful rejuvenation of the beech trees is seen only a few meters away from the seed trees. We also found out that the mountain ash tree breeds without rules. The most complex association of juvenile trees was found between 10 and 40 meters distance from the forest edge. Forest raspberry (Rubus idaeus) represents the biggest rivalry among young trees. According to our research, ground vegetation and soil depth do not have a significant impact on the number of juvenile trees. Natural rejuvenation is therefore successful in smaller and medium- sized forest gaps.
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