The Beskids Bulletin -- Content of 1/2011

Abstract: Janík, R., Schieber, B., Bublinec, E., Dubová, M.2011: Content and concentration SO₄^2- in soil water and throughfall in submountain beech ecosystems. -- Beskydy, 4 (1): 9--18

The paper deals with the results of the sulphate sulphur content and its concentration in soil water from the beech forests situated in the the Kremnické vrchy Mts. (West Carpathian Mts.). The S-SO4 2- content in bulk precipitation, throughfall and soil water for the 1989--2008 period was studied at two sites with different emission load. During the research at the low polluted area the Kremnické vrchy Mts. the highest SO4 2- values were found at the open field, for bulk precipitation and soil water 480.7 kg.ha -1 . The sulphur amount in soil water in the beech stand declined with the soil depth from about 23.1 kg.ha -1 .yr -1 (K00 soil horizon) to 7.7 kg.ha -1 .yr -1 (K25 soil horizon). However the mean concentration of SO4 2- increased from 15.52 mg.l -1 in the K00 layer to 17,34 mg.l -1 in the K25 layer. Similar trend was found at the open field (13.99 mg.l -1 in the H0 0 layer, 15.41 mg.l -1 in the H25 layer). The regression analysis found out a statistically significant influence of the sulphur content in the atmospheric deposition on the sulphur content in soil water. A significant correlation between the precipitation amount and the content of sulphur in precipitation and in soil water was observed. Student's t-test for dependent variables confirmed statistically strong significant differences of the sulphur content in soil water in the 0.1m and 0.25m depth between the study areas. No significance of differences between the years at the same plot was found

Keywords: soil water, throughfall, bulk precipitation, S-SO4 2- , Western Carpathians Mts

Abstract: Kukla, J., Kuklová , M., Kontrišová, O., Kontriš, J., Kováčová, I. 2011: Content of potentially toxic elements in herb species of spruce ecosystems affected by air pollutants. -- Beskydy, 4 (1): 19--26

The contamination of Spodic Cambisols and selected herb species (Dryopteris dilatata, Luzula luzuloides, Prenanthes purpurea, Rubus idaeus, Senecio ovatus and Solidago virgaurea) by potentially toxic elements (Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr) issuing from polluted atmosphere was studied in spruce stand and parallel clear-cut area on the locality Stolíky situated in the buffer zone of the NP Slovenský raj close city Spišská Nová Ves. The element contents determined in extracts of soil samples by 2 mol. dm-3 HNO3 were the following (mg kg -1 d.w.): Fe 3600--4300, Mn 1100--1300, Cu 81.1--100.6, Cr 1.16--2.00. The contents of elements in aboveground phytomass of dominant herb species ranged as follows (mg kg -1 d.w.): Cr 0.052--0.419, Cu 8.6--22.4, Fe 70.2--191.0 and Mn 1043--3457. Increased amounts of Cu and Mn (compared with the background values) were ascertained in all herb species, whereas the contents of Fe were higher only in Luzula luzuloides (clear-cut area) and Prenanthes purpurea (spruce stand) species and Cr contents were lower than background value. The values of Fe:Mn ratio (0.03--0.12) were markedly lower, while the values of Fe:Cr (403--1867) and Cu:Fe (0.086--0.203) ratios were substantially higher compared with the normal values in herb species and they indicate disturbance in herb nutrition and nutrient cycling in the spruce ecosystems.

Keywords: spruce ecosystem, Spodic Cambisols, herb species, air pollution, potentially toxic elements, contamination

Abstract: : Merganič, J., Merganičová, K., Vorčák, J. 2011: Height structure of spruce mountain forests of Babia hora -- Oravské Beskydy. -- Beskydy, 4 (1): 27--38

The paper analyses the height structure of mountain spruce forests in the nature reserve Babia hora, Slovakia. The analysis consisted of the three partial tasks (1) analysis of the relationship between maximum tree height and elevation, (2) derivation and evaluation of height-diameter curves separately for species and elevation categories, (3) frequency analysis of tree heights. The results revealed a tight correlation of maximum tree height to elevation (correlation index equal to 0.91), and between tree height and diameter (correlation index varied from 0.93 to 0.99). For Norway spruce (Picea abies L./Karst), height-diameter relationship was described by a five-parameter exponential function, because simpler functions were not able to represent the small values below the usual truncation point satisfactorily. In case of rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.), Gompertz function was used for the description of height-diameter relationship. Tree height frequencies were analysed by frequency analysis. The results indicated that the most differentiated vertical structure is in the stage of growth. The stage of breakdown is characterised by bimodal distribution. With increasing elevation the differences between the vertical structure of the stage of optimum and breakdown diminish, while the differences between the stage of growth and the stages of optimum and breakdown become more distinct.

Keywords: Heigh-diameter curve, height frequency, elevation, developmental stages, natural fores

Abstract: : Saniga, M., Kucbel, S., Anić, I., Mikac, S., Prebeg, M. 2011: Structure, growing stock, coarse woody debris and regeneration processes in virgin forests Dobroč (Slovakia) and Čorkova Uvala (Croatia). -- Beskydy, 4 (1): 39--50

Selected production characteristics and dynamics of regeneration processes in virgin forests Dobroč (Slovakia) and Čorkova Uvala (Croatia) are analysed in this work. Despite the fact that compared virgin forests are approximately in the same elevation and the research plots were established in the same group of forest types, virgin forest Čorkova Uvala has significantly lower spruce representation, higher annual precipitation and different parent rock. Higher average volume of living trees with dbh over 8 cm was determined in virgin forest Čorkova Uvala in amount of 753.3 m3 .ha -1 . This production characteristic was lower in virgin forest Dobroč (686.5 m3 .ha -1 ). The reason for higher average volume of trees over 8 cm dbh in Čorkova Uvala is significantly higher annual precipitation and more favourable texture of virgin forest with a higher proportion of optimum stage. Regarding the production ability of tree species, higher maximum heights and diameters for all tree species were recorded in virgin forest Dobroč. The average deadwood volume is higher in Čorkova Uvala (290.8 m3 .ha -1 ) and corresponds to the living tree volume. Dynamics of the regeneration processes is different regarding the seedbed. The trees occur very rarely on the decaying deadwood in virgin forest Dobroč. Tree species regenerate on the decaying deadwood in virgin forest Čorkova Uvala with higher abundance, where Norway spruce is the dominant tree species. Despite the low surface of deadwood as the seedbed (4.14% from the total investigated plot), the number of natural regeneration individuals of all tree species on deadwood represents 71.5%. Regarding the tree species composition of the natural regeneration, there is a difference in shifting into the higher height category in case of fir. In virgin forest Čorkova Uvala, it continuously shifts into the height category over 50 cm up to dbh <1 cm. In virgin forest Dobroč, fir does not reach heiht over 50 cm due to the high number of red deer and their intensive browsing

Keywords: fir, spruce, beech, virgin forest, deadwood, forest structure, regeneration

Abstract: : Saniga, M., Kucbel, S., Jaloviar, P., Balanda, M. 2011: The stand development of "forest of age classes" in TANAP after the wind disturbance. -- Beskydy, 4 (1): 51--58

The paper presents the results of research of forest stands partly managed by irregular shelterwood system. There were the initial stages of fir and spruce natural regeneration present on the plot. The permanent research plot (PRP) was established in 1999. The regeneration felling was marked and subsequently performed in the same year. This stand was affected by wind storm in November 2004. The stand condition was evaluated in 2005. The total area secured by natural regeneration was 0.17 ha. The rest of the plot (0.08 ha), in form of scattered spots, showed no signs of natural regeneration. The analysis in 2010 confirmed that whole stand area including PRP was secured by natural regeneration of climax tree species (fir, spruce) and pioneer tree species (birch, goat willow). The height growth dynamics analysis of selected plots showed the same rate of height growth of both climax tree species in the advance growth stage. The height growth of spruce individuals was significantly higher in thicket growth stage. The fir maintains the position of middle and lower layer in vertical profile of advance growth stage or thicket respectively. There was determined successive birch invasion followed by consecutive arrival (with 2--3 years delay) of goat willow on the plot secured by regeneration of pioneer tree species. The average height of birch individuals was 4.01 m in time span from its origin in 2005 to presence. It represented the same height value as spruce had reached, that was in advance growth phase during the windstorm impact. The research confirmed that stands with realized regeneration fellings with initial phases of natural regeneration create the preconditions for achieving of the mosaic stand structure on the research plots in TANAP.

Keywords: spruce, fir, birch, goat willow, natural regeneration, succession

Abstract: : Bajer, A., Kučera, A. 2011: Soil characteristics of selected localities on Smrk Mt. and Kněhyně Mt. in the Moravian Silesian Beskids Mts. -- Beskydy, 4 (1): 59--72

The paper deals with soil characteristics of selected localities on Smrk Mt. and Kněhyně Mt. in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids (38 segments of forest ecosystems). Based on the main soil forming factors defined for studied soils the correctness of classification of groups of forest types into edaphic categories localities were evaluated. Six main soil forming factors were detected. Some of the soils were strongly influenced by surplus of water in the profile. Regardless the altitude, the most soils contained considerable share of skeleton. On the rest of the localities, the main soil forming factors were the cambic and podzolization processes. Both of these pedogenic processes (either of them being dominant) were found at most of the localities. Two of the forest soils were predominantly affected by fluvial processes. This soil survey was a part of an extensive multithematic research.

Keywords: soil taxonomy, mountain soils, podzolization, soil forming processes, the MoravianSilesian Beskids

Abstract: : Bíba, M., Janová, K., Vícha, Z. 2010: Hydrological year 2009 in the small watersheds Červík and Malá Ráztoka. -- Beskydy, 4 (1): 73--78

Unique experiment, not only with respect to time, is ongoing within the two small watersheds in Beskid Mts. The year 2009 represents already the 56-th year of this long-term forestry-hydrological research. Experimental watershed Červík (CE) is situated near the village Staré Hamry, watershed Malá Ráztoka (MR) near Trojanovice. The aim of the research is to study the impact of forest on the water runoff from the watershed, and the impact of forest management on water balance in the headwater regions. Compared to the long-term time series, the data measured in 2009 seems to be relatively balanced. In 2009 the year precipitation amount within two watersheds was only slightly higher than the long-term average. Snowing had started in the middle of November; more intensive snow fall was registered in February, March, and also at the end of the hydrological year (mid-October). The average year temperatures within the two watersheds are again much higher than the averages of the last 56 years. During the vegetation season only few short period without precipitation was recorded, forest vegetation was not threatened by dryness in this year.

Keywords: Watershed, precipitation, runoff, forest hydrology, 2009, Beskid Mts.