Analysis of the influence of ungulates on the regeneration of dinaric fir-beech forests in the research site Trnovec in the Kocevje forest management region
2004
Jarni, K. (Srednja gozdarska in lesarska sola, Postojna (Slovenia)) | Robic, D. (Ljubljana (Slovenia)) | Boncina, A. (Ljubljana Univ. (Slovenia). Biotechnical Fac., Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources Dept.)
In the period 1970-2000, 152 fenced-in areas were built in the Kocevje Forest Management Region with an aim to protect tree seedlings and saplings from ungulates' activity and to monitor the influence of roe and red deer on natural regeneration. The average surface area of fenced areas is 0.71 ha. Using the pair comparison technique (fenced vs. unfenced areas), the structure and the composition of the natural regeneration of tree species as well as complete shrub and herb vegetation were analysed in the research site Trnovec. Furthermore, the vegetation was investigated using the Braun-Blanquet method. The research results show significant differences between fenced and unfenced areas, both in tree species composition and in the height structure of the sapling community. In fenced areas the total number of saplings taller than 50 cm is higher and an increase is also evident in the number of saplings of silver fir Abies alba, sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, elm Ulmus glabra and other minor tree species. There are also significant differences in species composition and in the abundance of plant species in the herb layer. The results show that natural regeneration of Dinaric fir-beech forests is successful, provided the influence of ungulates is excluded.
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