Major characteristics of the mixed fir and beech virgin forests in National Park Biogradska Gora in Montenegro | Главне карактеристике мјешовитих буково-јелових прашумских заједница у Националном парку Биоградска Гора [Црна Гора]

The primary goal was to get introduced with all important characteristics of mixed beech and fir forests in the virgin forest Biogradska Gora (Montenegro), which would provide a more realistic bioecological basis for planning and rational use of these and similar forest ecosystems. Four sample plots (E1-E4) were selected in the studied area, where the data were collected for determination of environmental and structural characteristics of mixed beech and fir forests. Sample plots were located on the slope of the Biogradsko Lake to the Goleš. Ecological characteristics of the ecosystems of mixed forests of fir and beech in the preserved area of the National Park Biogradska Gora, the wealth of flora and a significant number of endemic and relict plant species are the result of biogeographical position of Bjelasica Mountain, complex geomorphological, hydrological, orogenic structure, different climates, as well as the consequences of natural process from the Tertiary, through the Ice Age to the present day. Based on the soil, phytocoenological and meteorological-climatological characteristics of the study area and by using standard methods, the studied ecological unit was defined as: Ecological unit of beech and fir mixed forests (Abieti-fagetum dinaricum Treg. 1957) on brown forest soil on eruptives. Mixed beech-fir forest in the reserve of Biogradska Gora is predominantly characterized by structurally irregular stands of primeval character. Diameter structure of the studied stands clearly indicates the absence of the influx of fir natural regeneration, which can result in an amendment of the dominant species, i.e. the future dominance of beech, whose distribution is significantly different from fir. When comparing the structural parameters of the best preserved beech-fir stands of the neighboring countries, it can be concluded that the mixed forests of fir and beech in the Biogradska Gora belong to forest ecosystems of high conservation degree, with the structure that is characteristic for virgin forest community, and with high values of growing stock. Based on all presented indicators, the researched forest can be classified as the type of mixed forests of beech and fir (Abieti-dinaricum Treg. 1957) on brown forest soil on eruptives. The characteristics of forest ecosystems that have spontaneously developed should be a base for the close nature management of the studied forest areas and regional forests with a similar composition.