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INGROWTH OF NORWAY SPRUCE IN FERTILE HEMIBOREAL FOREST SITES

Solveiga Luguza

Abstract

Norway spruce (Pice abies (L.) Karst.) is a late successional, economically significant tree species. It can regenerate in clearcuts (formed as result of management or natural disturbances) under the cover of young deciduous pioneer tree species. Such areas of unmanaged young deciduous tree stands are rather common in hemiboreal forests due to, mainly, financial reasons. Moreover, due to increasing browsing pressure, also area of very damaged young (primarily, aspen) stands is increasing. Therefore it is important to assess the future management perspectives of these areas. Aim of our study was to characterize ingrowth of Norway spruce in fertile forest sites. Materials was collected in 80 naturally regenerated stands across Latvia on fertile fresh and wet mineral soils and fertile drained soils. Initial measurements were carried out 2 to 10 years after the clearcut, followed up by measurement in 9 sample plots (50 to 100m2) per site (altogether 720 sample plots) 20 to 28 years after the clearcut. Probability of occurrence of Norway spruce at sample plot level was statistically significantly affected by: time since final harvest (as longer the time, as greater the probability), site fertility (in the most fertile sites ? lower probability), presence of old spruce (if present in harvested ? based on forest inventory data ? or neighboring stands, probability higher). Density of regeneration of Norway spruce is significantly affected by forest type as well as density of deciduous trees (more of other species ? less spruce). Results suggest the potential of gradual establishment of Norway spruce stands in fertile soils and can be used in modeling of management scenarios to promote this tree species as well as stands forming in absence of management.

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