Influence of Location Type on the Regeneration and Growth of Pedunculate Oak ( Quercus robur L.) in Central Europe: Implications for Sustainable Forest Land Use

Katarzyna Masternak, Michał Łukasik, Piotr Czyżowski, Joanna Gmitrowicz-Iwan () and Krzysztof Kowalczyk
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Katarzyna Masternak: Institute of Genetics, Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agrobioengineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Michał Łukasik: Świdnik Forest District, Lotnicza 4 St., 21-040 Świdnik, Poland
Piotr Czyżowski: Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Joanna Gmitrowicz-Iwan: Institute of Soil Science, Environmental Engineering and Management, Faculty of Agrobioengineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Krzysztof Kowalczyk: Institute of Genetics, Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agrobioengineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-15

Abstract: In the context of climate change and the increasing ecological importance of pedunculate oak ( Quercus robur L.) in European forests, sustainable regeneration strategies are essential for ensuring long-term forest resilience. This study investigates how different conditions of regeneration sites, namely areas under pine canopies, gaps (openings within the pine stand), inter-gap area (open zone surrounding the pine gaps), and clear-cut area (zone where trees were completely removed), affect the early growth performance of artificially regenerated oak stands in Central Europe. Seedling height, root collar diameter, sturdiness quotient (SQ), and light availability (via hemispherical photography) were assessed. The most favorable growth occurred in gaps and under-canopy sites, where light intensity ranged from 44% to 57%, and seedlings reached mean heights of 148.7 cm and 143.4 cm, respectively. In contrast, seedlings in clear-cut and inter-gap areas exhibited lower growth and higher SQ values, suggesting lower seedling stability. In these areas, the average seedling height was 127.2 cm in clear-cut opening and 137.9 cm in inter-gap area. These sites also had the highest light intensity, amounting to 100% and 89.85% of total incident radiation, respectively. Growth performance was also affected by cardinal direction, except within gaps. This study highlights the importance of microsite selection in oak regeneration and demonstrates how optimizing light conditions can enhance reforestation success and climate resilience. These findings contribute to sustainable forest management practices aimed at supporting adaptive strategies in temperate ecosystems facing climate change.

Keywords: light conditions; Quercus robur; gaps; large spots; inter-gap area; clear-cut area; Central Europe; temperate climate; sustainable forest management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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