Influence of post-fire management on regeneration of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in north-western Latvia
2015
Zadina, M., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia);Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia) | Donis, J., Forest Competence Centre, Riga (Latvia) | Jansons, A., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia)
Fire is a frequent disturbance in hemiboreal forests that in Latvia affects mostly Scots pine (Pinus Sylvestris L.) stands. Increased forest fire risk is predicted in future as a result of climatic changes. Therefore the aim of our study was to assess Scots pine regeneration after forest fire in different forest types and with different regeneration methods. Tree height was measured and browsing damage assessed seven years after the forest fire in six different forest types, where planting and natural regeneration (in a clearcut and without management) occurred in compartments randomly selected from a list of stands severely affected by forest fire. The height of Scots pine was significantly affected both by forest type and regeneration method. Notable advantages of planting based on tree height were found in wet mineral soils and peat soils. Trees on poor (dry, wet, peat) soils were higher in natural regeneration after clearcut than in natural regeneration without clearcut. The density of Scots pine trees was significantly affected by the forest type but not by regeneration method (planting, natural regeneration, natural regeneration after the clearcut). The most abundant tree species in natural regeneration after clearcut in all forest types was silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.). The height of silver birch exceeded that of Scots pine in all analyzed soils in clearcut areas except Vaccinososphagnosa forest type, emphasizing the importance of thinning to ensure a successful development of Scots pine stands.
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