Comparison of regeneration and recruitment of shade-tolerant and light-demanding tree species in mixed uneven-aged forests : experiences from the Dinaric region

Klopčič, Matija (author), Simončič, Tina (author), Bončina, Andrej (author)

Research on the early stages of stand dynamics in uneven-aged forests often favours regeneration over recruitment of trees into forest stands. We contrasted both regeneration (i.e. seedlings and saplings existing in a stand) and recruitment (i.e. the number of trees annually crossing the threshold of 10 cm dbh) in two main stand types of uneven-aged forests (plenter and group selection). Data from 1710 permanent plots across the Dinaric Mountains in Slovenia were used to study recruitment; on 165 plots, regeneration was additionally analysed. The zero-inflated negative binomial modelling procedure was applied to identify factors influencing regeneration and recruitment. Total regeneration (30 212 ha−1) and that of light-demanding species (14 879 ha−1) were abundant. The latter regenerated more successfully in group selection stands compared with plenter stands. A large reduction in regeneration density was determined during its growth, which was more dramatic for light-demanding species (e.g. Acer pseudoplatanus) than for shade-tolerant species (e.g. Fagus sylvatica, Abies alba). The number of recruited trees (5.83 ha−1 y−1) seemed to be sufficient to maintain the uneven structure but was less promising for light-demanding species (0.13 ha−1 y−1). However, light-demanding species have the potential to establish and recruit into uneven-aged stands with a limited target proportion in the growing stock. Both indicators—regeneration and recruitment—are indispensable for understanding patterns of stand dynamics in uneven-aged forests.

• Language: English
• Keywords: forest, regeneration, shade-tolerance, tree species, uneven-aged forests, light-demande, Dinaric region
• Work type: Not categorized
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication version: Author Accepted Manuscript
• Number of pages: 552-536
• Numbering: #Vol. #88, #iss. #5
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-87615
• UDC: 630*18
• DOI: 10.1093/forestry/cpv021
• COBISS.SI-ID: 4117926
• Publication date in RUL: 06.12.2016

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Forestry
• Shortened title: Forestry
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 0015-752X
• COBISS.SI-ID: 15681029

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: raznomerni gozdovi, jelovo-bukovi gozdovi, sencovzdržne vrste, svetloljubne vrste, Dinaridi, pomlajevanje