The Beskids Bulletin -- Content of 1/2008

Abstract: Barszcz J., Małek S., 2008. Estimation of natural regeneration of spruce in areas under threat to forest stability at high altitudes of the Beskid Śląski Mts. -- Beskydy, 1 (1): 9--18
The aim of this paper is to determine the perspectives of the growth of spruce in the threatened forest areas located at high altitudes (above 800 m) of the Beskid Śląski Mts., in the light of the results of estimation of its natural renewal. In the areas under serious threat to forest stability at higher altitudes of the Beskid Śląski Mts., the natural regeneration of spruce and its accompanying species -- a phenomenon which occurs frequently but with small coverage of an area -- does not keep up with the increasing dying out of trees and the degradation of stands. That is why it does not guarantee the permanence of forest development. For this reason most of the area of spruce stands, especially the ones which are relatively or seriously threatened with disintegration, has to be artificially rebuilt in a relatively short time.
The number of occurrences of this regeneration as well as the quality, vitality and survival chances of samplings decreases with increasing altitude and increasing degree of stand degradation threat. This decrease is caused by small intensity of fructification of spruce and by difficult site conditions. It should be improved by means of appropriate steps concerning forest management.
Due to special conditions in which young spruce trees grow, even scarce regeneration of this species, especially in the stands with considerable stability, must not be disregarded despite their low general estimation. Even they may turn out useful due to the exceeding of the best period of fructification and the damage of tree crowns, which increases with their age.
For the above reasons, the period of spruce renewal at these altitudes should be prolonged using seed-bearing years of middle classes of age. The juveniles and samplings thus acquired ought to be protected and tended. They should be supplemented early enough, especially in gaps, by means of seedlings of spruce and other species of good origin, both genetic and altitudinal, using the stand as a kind of protection to accelerate the process of regeneration.
Keywords: natural regeneration, Norway spruce, forest decay, Beskid Śląski Mts.

Abstract: Bednářová, E. 2008: Effect of changes in immission characteristics on the amount of epicuticular waxes in spruce (Picea abies /L./ Karst.) growing in montane regions. -- Beskydy, 1 (1): 19--22
The health conditions of the assimilation apparatus of forest stands can be evaluated also by means of studies on changes in the content of epicuticular waxes, which create an interface between the plant and environment and which as the first ones are damaged by immissions. Within the last decade the immission spectrum in the territory of the Czech Republic has markedly changed. Atmospheric concentrations of sulphur oxides decreased and this was the main cause of an improvement in the health condition of the Norway spruce (Picea abies /L./ Karst.) assimilation apparatus. However, in the following period a marked increase in concentrations of ground-level ozone, which is at present considered to be the most serious cause of an impairment of the health condition of forest woody species in forest stands growing in altitudes above 900m. In these localities there is a repeated decrease in amounts of epicuticular waxes on the surface of needles, which is manifested in the health condition of the assimilation apparatus of affected conifers. Epicuticular waxes can be used as a natural bioindicator of the immission load in those regions where the evaluated forest stands are situated.
Keywords: air pollution characteristics, epicuticular waxes, Norway spruce, forest stands, needles

Abstract: Fiala, K., Tůma, I. 2008: Belowground plant biomass of mountain grassland affected by regular and manipulated amounts of precipitation in 2006 and 2007. -- Beskydy, 1 (1): 23--26
Rainfall change experiment was established in the field (Beskydy Mts., Bílý Kříž) to quantify and compare the effects of different amounts of regular and manipulated precipitation on belowground plant growth. Yearly root increments tended to smaller values under reduced amount of precipitation. Thus the trend indicating evidently smaller root production in dry year can be reflected in lower values of total belowground dry mass.
Keywords: Beskydy Mts., drought, rainfall simulation, roots

Abstract: Franiel, I., Błocka, A. 2008: Practical application of birch seeds from the Beskidy Mountains for dump reclamation. -- Beskydy, 1 (1): 27--32
Technical and biological dump reclamation with the use of tree seedlings lies in reconstruction of the land valours. The knowledge of usefulness tree seedlings from the nursery for biological reclamation of zinc-lead dump is necessary. In Silesia many forest nurseries are located in unpolluted regions (the Beskidy Mountains).
The present paper outlines the results of a study on the degree of seedlings sensitivity to adverse conditions of zinc-lead wastes. Seeds of ten specimens of Betula pendula Roth growing on the unpolluted grounds were collected in the vicinity of the Łodygowice near Żywiec (the Beskidy Mountains). For the pot cultures, slag smelter waste was taken and placed in 32 pots. In each pot, a different soil variant was used: 1 -- slag smelter waste, 2 -- slag smelter waste mixed with peat (50% pot volume), 3 -- slag smelter waste covered with a 2.5 cm layer of compost, 4 -- garden soil as a control type. The experiment showed positive results for seedlings growing in the soil variant 2; variant 1 showed poor growth of seedlings. Statistical LSD--test showed significant differences between seedlings grown on the variant with compost in the comparison to seedlings of the other types of variants. For pot seedlings, soil variants 2 and 4 were optimal, while variants 1 and 3 were the most adverse.
Keywords: reclamation, Betula pendula Roth, birch seedlings, compost, zinc--lead waste

Abstract: Heroldová, M., Suchomel, J., Purchard, L., Homolka, M. 2008: Impact intensity of rodents on the forest regeneration in artificial plantations in Smrk -- Kněhyně area. -- Beskydy, 1 (1): 33--36
An impact of herbivore rodents on forest regeneration was studied at the area of Smrk--Kněhyně in Moravian--Silesian Beskydy Mountains. First results confirmed importance of detailed environmental mapping on each of the plots and relation of food supply quality with the rodent species damage. Individual plots of artificial plantations were damaged in range from 2 to 28% of young trees (mean 16%). The higher the quality of diet supply, the lower the damage on tree plantations (r = 0.82; p < 0.01). Cover of grasses was highly correlated with height of impact on young trees (r = 0.8; p = 0.01). These results can contribute to the understanding of impact of forest rodent species on forest regeneration in artificial plantations and help in prevention by the way of herb layer management.
Keywords: artificial forest plantations, forest regeneration, herbivorous rodent species, impact

Abstract: Jařabáč, M., Bělský, J. 2008: The protection against floods becomes effective in the Beskydy Mts. using forest hydrology. -- Beskydy, 1 (1): 37--42
Great spruce plantations reforested in the north-ost region of the recently Czech Republic at the end of 19th century were often endangered by wind, snow, insect pests, especially by polluted air. The environment is in this area since 1954 intensively controlled, examined and cared for and this task has not been finished yet. Research in the forest hydrology has shown that the process from rains to outflows (floods) remains open and dynamic for all time with complicated relationships to many components. The research measured in the Beskydy Mts. has not shown substantial hydrological changes in the forests caused only by human activities. Floods outflowing from the Beskydy Mts. get great kinetic energy, erose forest soil, create gullies with sediment transport, endanger cultural landscape such as roads, railways, houses and industry. The torrent control has undertaken since 1906 many biological and technical remedial works in this area. At present we have to evaluate all effects of this control and to organize protection against damaging by water streams, however, first of all using near-natural technologies.
Keywords: forested watersheds, forest hydrology, headwaters, torrent control, dangerous floods, near-natural control methods

Abstract: Kmeť, J., Ditmarová, Ľ., Kurjak, D. 2008: Drought as stress factor and its role in spruce (Picea abies /L./ Karst) dieback. -- Beskydy, 1 (1): 43--50
In this paper we present the results of ecophysiological monitoring (chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements, assimilatory pigments concentration, needles water potential) of spruce forest stands health state in the Kysucké Beskydy Mts. The focus has been set on evaluation of the role of drought acting as one of numerous factors causing dieback of this tree species. Our research was a part of an extensive project aimed at providing sufficient analytic data on spruce dieback at all levels: beginning with individual trees, through forest stands, to large--sized areas. The next step is to synthesise these data and recognise how the dieback process works, which will eventually enable us to design more suitable models and to propose management directions for the endangered forests in north-west and north part of Slovakia.
Keywords: Picea abies, drought, decline, ecophysiology, Kysucké Beskydy

Abstract: Kubiesa, P., Łukasik W. 2008: Erosion processes caused by the use of heavy equipment in mountain forests. The Silesia Beskid mountain case study. -- Beskydy, 1 (1): 51--58
Changes in forest management due to the introduction of heavy machines for forest work mainly for skidding has been observed in the southern Poland for the last decade.
The paper presents results of investigation on the rate of erosion gullies forming in mountain forest after the skidding performed with the use of heavy equipment.
During 2005 on the Wilczy Potok Valley slopes trees were skidded with a LKT 81 track and next years this activity was not continued. In 2006 seven permanent research plots were established in that area to characterize changes in erosion gullies. The area of gully sections has been measured in August 2007.
The use of heavy equipment for skidding caused a topsoil damage and the strengthen of erosion processes. Erosion gullies were formed reaching above 1.5 m which resulted in water condition disturbance and streams swallowing.
The presented results show that protective actions and preventive measures should be taken immediately to stop the soil degradation processes.
Keywords: mountain forest, skidding, soil surface erosion

Abstract: Kula, E., Ząbecki, W. 2008: Die-back of standing trees and windfalls in the gradation area of Ips typographus (L.). -- Beskydy, 1 (1): 59--70
The response of cambiophagous fauna of stems and branches of standing trees and windfalls of spruce in the gradation area of Ips typographus (L.) on the progress of phloem necrosis and crown defoliation becomes evident in windfalls by the higher attractiveness for I. typographus than in standing trees where more marked competition environment is created for Ips amitinus (Eichh.) and Pityogenes chalcographus (L.). The progress of development of the species on standing trees and windfalls does not differ. The progress of die-back (phloem necrosis) does not affect fundamentally the vertical dispersion of I. typographus. In June, larvae of I. typographus, I. amitinus and P. chalcographus were dominant on stems independently of the degree of crown defoliation. In September, higher developmental differentiation became evident. In trees with green crowns, pupae and imagoes of I. typographus and larvae of P. chalcographus were dominant. In general, P. chalcographus flies to branches later than to stems.
Keywords: Norway spruce, Ips typographus, Ips amitinus, Pityogenes chalcographus, the Beskids, developmental stage, phloem, defoliation

Abstract: Nič, J. 2008: Changes of ecologicals conditions and factors in peak spruce stands of the 7 altitudinal vegetation zone. -- Beskydy, 1 (1): 71--76
Natural spruce stands of the Low Tatras and Poľana consist of communities of the 6th and the 7th altitudinal vegetation zone, mainly of the group of the forest type /gft/ Sorbeto Piceetum /SP/. In the year 2006, the repeated phytocoenological research was carried out on 48 areas under monitoring. These areas were founded in the year 1982. The goal of the research was to evaluate quantitative and qualitative changes of basic phytocoenoses, changes of abudance and dominance parameters of shelterwood synusia complex and changes of basic ecological factors as well /light, temperature, continentality, moisture, soil acidity and content of nitrogen in soil/. At the same time we have also evaluated the change of diversity of individual taxa in the examined communities. The results pointed out that the communities were heavily acidified during the period of last 24 years and this fact is manifested in the increase of dominant occurence of mesophytic acidophilic species and in the decline of mesotrophic species. The stands of the communities have been opened up considerably and this resulted in the decline of the genuine forest sciophytes. All these influnced diversity of individual taxa during the examined period of time.
Keywords: diversity of species, ecological analysis, group of the forest type Sorbeto-Piceetum

Abstract: Staszewski, T., Kubiesa, P. 2008: Fate of air pollutants in spruce and beech stands on permanent plots in Brenna -- the Silesian Beskid. -- Beskydy, 1 (1): 77--84
After a long term pressure of industrial emissions and biotic and abiotic stresses in the recent years a dieback of Beskidian spruce forests has been observed. Therefore artificial spruce stands reconstruction towards the introduction of native tree species like beech and fir is required. The paper presents the differences in fate of acidic compounds and nutrients deposited to spruce and beech stands in Brenna. Concentrations of ions in bulk deposition, throughfall and soil solutions were determined. Loads of all ions in throughfall of both tree species were higher than in bulk deposition; this was more pronounced for spruce stand. Higher flux of acidity reaching the soil in spruce stand is manifested by lower pH, higher concentration of sulfates and lower concentration of calcium and magnesium in soil solutions when compared to beech stand.
Keywords: Beskidian forests, forest reconstruction, air pollutants, throughfall, soil solution

Abstract: Štykar, J. 2008: Characteristics of vegetation from the geobiocenological point of view (compartments No 504 of the Supra-regional Bio-Centre Kněhyně). -- Beskydy, 1 (1): 85--92
This paper describes the results of the investigation of forest vegetation structure, which were carried out by segment mapping and by research plots. The main aims of mapping were to discover the young tree growth (layer V) composition and the herb synusia composition, both by spatial pattern visualization. The number of established plots was 5 and there were 99 mapped out segments. The ecological structure analyses were carried out according to the herb synusia and its ecological, chorological and chronological properties within the cenological relationships.
Keywords: geobiocenological mapping, herb layer, forest growth

Abstract: Tůma I., Holub P., Fiala K. 2008: New data on stands of fern Athyrium distentifolium in the Beskydy Mts. -- Beskydy, 1 (1): 93--98
New data were obtained on behaviour of Athyrium distentifolium fern occurring at different altitudes of the National Natural Reserve Kněhyně-Čertův Mlýn in the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy Mts. Studied populations of fern A. distentifolium represented young populations (lower size categories of genet are presented more frequently), established at the lower altitude particularly. The effect of higher input of nitrogen on biomass and morphometric leaf parameters of fern resulted in a greater allocation of biomass into supporting parts of fern leaves (fronds) which can play an important role in resorption of nutrients at the end of the growing season. The decomposition rate of native A. distentifolium litter was approximately the same (29--30%) at both nitrogen availabilities. However, decomposition rate of cellulose was two times greater in fern stands than in adjacent spruce stands without ferns.
Keywords: decomposition, leaf growth parameters, N fertilization, population structure

Abstract: Wilczyński S., Durło G. 2008: The disturbance in course of monthly average air temperature and monthly sums of precipitations in western part of Poland, in years 1971--2005. -- Beskydy, 1 (1): 99--104
The disturbance in course of cliamatological indexes in west part of Poland, in years 1971--2005 is presented. The source data concerning the mean monthly temperature and monthly total precipitation were obtained from the meteorological stations in Poznań Branch of Polish Institute of Meteorology and Water Management. The anomalous events were looked for among monthly values, values of differences, as well as among frequencies of the occurrence of signs of differences between monthly values. The conception "disturbance in the progress of monthly values", used in this study, concerns the inversion of the arrangement of monthly values typical for a long period of time. Applied method is new approach to problem about diagnosing climatic anomalies in Central Europe. The results of present work will help to explain cause of plant phenology anomaly in the area of western part of Poland.
Keywords: climate change, air temperature, precipitation, anomaly, Poland