DIGITALNA ARHIVA ŠUMARSKOG LISTA
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ŠUMARSKI LIST 9-10/1972 str. 21     <-- 21 -->        PDF

Summary
Some characteristics of the Cor kova Uvala Virgin Forest


The author presents a stand structure on a sample plot sized one hectare, which
was chosen in the representative wart of the Čorkova Uvala Virgin Forest (Plitvice
lakes National Park). The structure is given for two measurements. The first measurement
was carried out in 1957, the second in 1970 (see Table).


On the basis of the structure and its changes within the period of two measurements,
it was concluded that the part of the virgin forest finds itself in the optimal
phase of its development, displaying a selection stand structure.


The selection structure in the optimal phase of the virgin forest is a consequence
of the special soil conditions prevailing in the karst area, where the forest
of Beech and Fir (Fagetum croaticum abietetosum Horvat) grows, which builds up
the Čorkova Uvala Virgin Forest.


The soil in the virgin forest is very heterogeneous with respect to depth. Its
depth changes over small areas. In the horizontally layered parent rock and in
stone blocks the soil is shallow, while in the sinkholes and limestone cracks the
soil is deep. On deep soil Fir, Beech and Spruce achieve great height and diameter
increments, while in neighbouring shallow soils they struggle throughout their
whole life for existence, because of scarcity of water and nutrients in the soil
(small soil volume) and because of being shaded by the neighbouring stems growing
under more favourable edaphic conditions. Stems of Fir, Beech and Spruce growing
on microlocalities with shallow soils attain insignificant sizes until the end of their
lives.


In microlocalities with shallow soils there will always be developed stems of
small heights and diameters, while on deep soils they achieve always large sizes.
Under such conditions the optimal phase of the virgin forest possesses a selection
structure. Fir/Beech forest sites are not heterogeneous along their whole area with
respect to the soil depth. In areas with a more uniform topography the soil is uniformly
deep. In such localities the optimal phase of the virgin forest does not
possess a selection structure.