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ŠUMARSKI LIST 13/2005 str. 69     <-- 69 -->        PDF

K. Gubka: THE STRUCTURE OF THE FOREST STAND WITH A SOIL CONSERVATION FUNCTION Šumarski list - SUPLEMENT (2005), 61-68
werline, housing estate, the river Slatina and its confluence
with the river Hron. Erosion and/or a soilslide
in these conditions would cause remarkable ecological
environmental and economic damages. The compartment
186 covers 64,82 ha and has been proclaimed a
protection forest with erosion-control and soilslidecontrol
functions. A maintained and busy path to the
Zvolcn view point crosses forest stands and continues
to the Pusty hrad area. Nowadays the whole locality is
often visited by tourists.


According to the forest management plan and forest
stand map it is a two-layer forest stand, classified as
HS04OV, i.e. a high forest with a primary protection
function. The first layer has a partial area of 51.86 hectares,
age of 165 years, stocking 0,6, functional type 10,
protection type 13 (outside of the range of industrial
pollution), technological type 34 (timber extraction by
cableway systems). Slope axspect is SW, slope inclination
90 %, forest type groups: Quercetum fageto-tiliosum
60 % (3402), Tilietum acerosum 30 % (3502), Fa


getum pauper 10 % (3315). The soil is stony with protruding
cliffs. The herb cover is formed of grasses.


The forest stand itself is a mature stemwood, age-
differentiated, with frequent older sprouts. The spatial
distribution of tree species ranges from a mixture by
individuals to a mwixture by groups. Growth and stem
quality are generally poor. There are individuals with
resonant wood.


The second layer is not managed as well. Both layer
are considered to be not endangered.


To receive a more complete information about the
state and development of this forest stand, two permanent
research plots were established in the compartment
186, aimed at the investigation of which structural
traits of the forest stand, the state of the plat community
and soil attributes. On the basis of this information
and a consistent inspection throughout the forest
stand, recommendations of management measures were
elaborated.


RESULTS


The first permanent research plot was established in
the upper part of the forest stand (450 m a.s.l.).


Under a long-term influence of ecological factors
within this site, mainly soil, microclimatic and other site
conditions, an ecosystem has been formed, which is nowadays
capable to provide the priority soil conservation,
erosion-control and soilslide-control functions.
The forest stand at this locality is formed mainly of sessile
oak (Quercus petraea Mattusch. Liebl) which clearly
predominates. No indications of erosion (except that
caused by touristic paths) constituting a serious threat to
the site, were recorded. The present forest stand structure
in relation to site, age, tree species composition, vertical
architecture, the state of natural regeneration etc., indicates
a need of a targeted silvicultural treatment. The
formation of a permanent multilayer architecture of the
forest stand at this site is very important for the preservation
of its functional efficiency. On the basis of the
analysis of natural regeneration, we concluded that the
seed crop of individual tree species is sufficient to
achieve a permanent existence of a functionally effective
forest ecosystem, under silvicultural and exploitation
practices based on shelterwood system.


The plant community in the area of Pusty hrad represents
an example of inversion of vegetation zones. Whereas
the lower experimental plot no. II was classified to
the third vertical vegetation zone, the upper plot no. I,
despite its location at a higher altitude, belongs to the second
vegetation zone. The ground vegetation community
has a characteristic grassy appearance with the dominance
of mesotrophic mesophytes like Poa nemoralis,
acidity of the soil environment is indicated mainly on


shallow soils by the presence of Luzula luzuloides. Nitrophilous
species of are represented sporadically.


According to the Zurich-Montpellier classification,
the communities belong to Quercion confertae-cerris
(Horvat 1945), association Poo nemoralis-Quercetum
dalechampii (Somsäk-Häberovä 1989).


The total cover is 70 - 80 % with the occurrence of
Poa nemoralis (+2-3), Luzula nemorosa (-2); Galium
schultesii (-2); Veronica montana (1—2); Stellaria holostea
(1); Lathyrus vernus (1); Campanula trachelium
(1); Convallaria majalis (1—2), Melica uniflora (+2)
and other species typical for the communities of the
beech-oak forest vegetation zone (N i č 2004).


Concerning soil, the vertical structure at the investigated
plot is as follows:


0-1 cm OI horizon - Leaf litter


0-10 cm Au horizon - brown, sandy silt, mellow,


wet, 5 % gravel, heavily rooted, with gradual transi


tion of horizons


15-70 cm Bv horizon - light brown, sandy silt,


lumpy, wet, 40 % stones, heavily rooted


>70 cm CI horizon - ocherous brown, silty sand,


wet, 80 % of stones and rocks


In 2004, repeated measurments were realized.
As compared with the previous site, the community
is more diverse with various deciduous tree species.
Individuals of sprout origin are frequent, but they are
sufficiently capable to fulfill the required functions,
mainly soil protection. The originally vertically differentiated
forest stand is gradually withdrawing due to a
long-term shading and competitive relationships and