In the region of Knehyne-Velka Stolova in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids, where there are ecologically difficult conditions for functioning forest ecosystems, possibilities were studied for the naturat regeneration of beech. The study of problems was particularly related to generative propagation, however, cases of vegetative propagation were also found. Potential possibilities of regeneration are related to the seed year 1995. Rooting ability of layered branches or lying beech trees wes studied. Analysis is given of a rooting beech branch.

Some 30 species of cambioxylophages with the dominant position of Pityophthorus pityographus, Polygraphus poligraphus, Pityogenes chalcographus, Molorchus minor and Obrium brunneum were recorded on subdominant trees attacked by Armillaria sp. and Heterobasidion annosum. The stress induced by fungal pathogens on subdominant trees causes unfavourable conditions for the development of Ips typographus and increases attractiveness for P. poligraphus and M. minor. Species of P. chalcographus and P. pityographus response indifferently.

The damming of the Volta River has resulted in reduced flooding and an increase in mangrove cutting, accompanied by the virtual collapse of agriculture and fishing in the estuary. Another ecological consequence of the reduced level of flooding has been reduced dispersal of seedlings of the principal mangrove, Rhizophora racemosa. Therefore, after cutting of this species, recolonization is either by conspecifics growing at very high densities or by one of a number of weed species, particularly Typha domingensis, Acrostichum aureum, Paspalum vaginatum, Cyperus articulatus, Sesuvium portulacastrum and Philoxerus vermicularis. Environmental data collected in the vicinity of the mangroves and each of the weed species have enabled suggestions to be made as to whether R. racemosa or Avicennia africana would be the more suitable mangrove to replant. Recommendations have also been made to introduce the palm Nypa fruticans to the area, together with the development of nature-based tourism, both of which would provide alternative means of income generation, thereby reducing the need to cut remaining mangroves.

The soil water retention potentials and other hydrolimits of individual soil horizons of podzolized soil were determined in the stand of Picea abies (Mecuvka, the Beskids, Czech Republic) on godulic sandstone. Different hydropedologic characteristics for the individual soil horizons were found. Extreme values were detected for the albic E horizon, which importance for water and nutrient status of forest stand on podzolic soil is discussed.

Data necessary for the determination of the proportion of various types of branching in stands under study, their variability within a tree, accuracy of classification of the type of branching, damage to particular types of branching due to breakage and initial age for their reliable recognition were obtained according to method from 1,336 trees situated in 11 trial plots in the region of the Beskids. Statistically significant differences were determined in the diameter and height increments for particular types of branching.