Effect of gap size on tree species diversity of natural regeneration - case study from Masaryk Training Forest Enterprise Křtiny

Maame Esi Hammond, Radek Pokorný, Lumir Dobrovolný, Nina Hiitola and Michal Friedl
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Maame Esi Hammond: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
Radek Pokorný: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
Lumir Dobrovolný: Training Forest Enterprise Masaryk Forest Křtiny, Czech Republic
Nina Hiitola: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
Michal Friedl: Department of Forest Botany, Dendrology and Geobiocoenology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic

Journal of Forest Science, 2020, vol. 66, issue 10, 407-419

Abstract: Forest gaps remain the optimal forest management practice in modern forestry. Upon all the physical properties of forest gaps, the 'gap size' feature stands out as an essential property. The effect of gap size on tree species composition and diversity of natural regeneration in forest gaps of different sizes was investigated. Eight research forest gaps were selected from the Training Forest School Enterprise, also called Masaryk Forest in Křtiny, a temperate mixed forest in the Czech Republic. By given gap sizes, small (< 700 m2) and large gaps (≥ 700 m2) were defined. Forty-one (41) regeneration microsites (RSs) of 1 m2 circular area at 2 m intervals were demarcated within each forest gap. These RSs served as data collection points. From the total of eleven (11) species enumerated, large gaps obtained higher species composition (10) and diversity (Simpson = 0.5 1-D; Shannon = 1.0 H and Pielou's evenness = 0.5 J indices) records, yet, small gaps presented favourable conditions for prolific natural regeneration significantly. Light-adapted species demonstrated no significant difference (P > 0.05) between small and large gaps, however, intermediate and shade-tolerant species were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in small gaps. There were progressive declines in height growth of natural regeneration from 0-20 cm to 21-50 cm and 51+ cm in small and large gaps at R2 = 99% and 88%, respectively. The development of herbaceous vegetation in small and large gaps had positive and negative effects on the natural regeneration of Fagus sylvatica and Abies alba species, respectively.

Keywords: intermediate species; large gaps; light-adapted species; shade-tolerant species; small gaps; species composition and diversity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:66:y:2020:i:10:id:78-2020-jfs

DOI: 10.17221/78/2020-JFS

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