The main focus of this study was to perform an analysis of natural and artificial restoration of the windthrow areas in the broader area of the Bohor Mountain. The survey was conducted in forests damaged by the storm of Avgust 2008. Seven sample plots (10 m x 10 m) were placed on areas with natural succession after windthrow, and seven on ecologically similar windthrow sites that were planted mostly with sycamore maple in the fall of 2009 or spring of 2010. No differences in ecological characteristics between natural and artificial restoration within the same objects were observed, differences were observed only between objects. The density of naturally developed seedlings within planted areas and areas with natural succession were 8.095 and 25.238 trees per hectare, respectively. Regeneration consisted of 11 different tree species; dominant were field maple, beech and flowering ash. Most of the seedlings were already present as advance regeneration beforethe windthrow. The density of planting was 1.621 seedlings per hectare. Three years after the planting the mortality reached 24%. Mean annual height increment of planted sycamore (10 cm) was significantly lower compared to the naturally occurring sycamore (30 cm). Coverage of ground vegetation, not including tree seedlings averaged 104%. Dominant species within ground vegetation were Blackberry (sp.), Traveller's Joy and Lesser periwinkle. Coverage of Blackberry (sp.) negatively influenced the density of the natural regeneration. Results of the research suggest that the priority areas for the reforestation include erosion risk areas, the most fertile sites without advanced regeneration, areas with developed dense ground vegetation and areas with a small number of seed trees.
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