engleski

First results of the study on the structure of standing dead wood in managed forests of Croatia

In Croatia, Common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is also a dominant tree species. With 901, 848 ha, beech forests (comprising mono-dominant beech forests as well as mixed forests with other tree species) cover 34.9 % of the total forest area (1). Because it is so widespread in Europe it plays an important role in the multiple forest function framework and in fulfilling ecological, social and economic requirements (2, 3). Results of multivariate regression analysis show that tree diameter at breast height almost completely explain variability of crown diameters (Fig 2a). Including tree height, stand age and site quality in model do not improve explained variability (for only 0.0036). Influence of tree height and stand age are expressed indirectly across dbh, while site quality has no shown influence on crown diameter. An irregular and multi-aged stand structure of beech forests in Croatia comprise more than one quarter of total beech forests, while stand structures of the forests potentially related to multi-aged forest management, considerably deviate from the theoretical. Due to high potential of the forests, environmental and social reasons, this close-to-nature type of forestry should be supported with an appropriate research and management approaches on forward.

Common beech ; dead wood ; managed forests

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