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ECOLOGICAL AND VEGETATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NATURAL AND VIRGIN BEECH-FIR FORESTS IN CROATIA

The paper presents and compares structural, ecological and vegetational properties of virgin and natural commercial forests of beech, fir and spruce in Croatia. The following virgin forests having primary or secondary characteristics have been dealt with: Corkova Uvala, Devcica Tavani, Nadzak Bilo, Velika Pljesivica - Drenovaca, Velika Pljesivica - Javornik - Tisov Vrh, Javorov Kal and Stirovaca. These forests have been affected by changes in the site and environment, particularly in the 20th century, and the principal ecological factors decisive for their development have been investigated. The main aim of the investigation was to establish and compare stability of virgin and natural forests. The participation of old silver firs, common spruces and beeches and dead trees, as well as changes in the structure and composition of these forests are analysed. The basic vegetational properties are shown and differences in the vegetative pictures of these forests analysed. Ecological, structural and vegetative parameters needed for establishing ecological models of virgin forest development have been studied and prospects of survival in changed ecological conditions discussed. The paper also deals with the problem of maintaining and managing forests in protected areas.

virgin forests of beech and fir; ecological factors; vegetational properties; ecological models of virgin forest development

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