The Beskids Bulletin -- Content of 2/2011

Abstract: Balanda, M., Saniga, M. 2011: Spatial pattern of living trees among individual phases of developmental cycle of old- growth forest NNR Hrončecký grúň. -- Beskydy, 4 (2): 91--100

Submitted paper presents results acquired by analysis of spatial structure of mixed species old-growth forest in NNR Hrončecký grúň. Data were collected on two permanent research plots, 50×250m each. For determining of developmental stages the classification according Korpeľ 1995 was used. Concerning the course of developmental cycle significant specifications occurred. Typical stage of growth was not detected on the plot, dieback of ash is considered as a trigger mechanism for creation of breakdown stage, but a gradual productive domination of beech and ash in lower and middle layer slow down the process of disintegration of upper layer. Abovementioned process will result in developmental shift towards to optimal phase typical by bypassing of growth phase. However, it is necessary to mention that cited mechanism is sustainable during influence of small scale disturbances only

Keywords: mixed old-growth forest, developmental shift, developmental cycle

Abstract: Čepelka, L., Suchomel, J., Purchart, L., Heroldová, M.2011: Small Mammal Diversity in the Beskydy Mts. Forest Ecosystems Subject to Different Forms of Management. --- Beskydy, 4 (2): 101---108

The small terrestrial mammal community was studied in selected areas of the Beskydy Mts. in 2005--2011. The monitoring was conducted with the help of snap traps placed in lines at eight selected forest habitats at various stages of succession and subject to different forms of management. A total of 987 specimens of small terrestrial mammals in 16 species were captured over the course of the monitoring period. Apodemus flavicollis (D=45%) and Myodes glareolus (D=26%), which were found at all monitored plots, manifested the highest abundance. Muscardinus avellanarius, Sorex alpinus, Glis glis, Sicista betulina and Neomys anomalus occurred rarely to sporadically. Generally the highest number of species (n=10) was determined in plantations with a well-developed grass cover, while the lowest number was found in a mature spruce forest (n=3). The highest small mammal diversity was monitored in primary forest reserves, whereas mature even-aged production forests showed the lowest diversity. Differences in diversity between identical habitat types (plantations) located at various altitudes were determined as well. The results obtained indicate the importance of habitat diversity, with respect to the habitats' management, succession development and environmental factors, for the small mammal diversity in the Beskydy Mts. This conclusion is supported by the diversity dynamics related to habitats and also the monitored high number of species (n=16)

Keywords: small mammals, Rodentia, Soricomorpha, diversity, forest ecosystems, management

Abstract: Kmeť, J., Ditmarová, Ľ., Kurjak, D., Priwitzer, T. 2011: :Physiological response of Norway spruce foliage in the drought vegetation period 2009. -- Beskydy, 4 (2): 109--118

Today, we are facing the threat of fast decay of forest stands (so called modern decline) differing from the "classic" decay scenarios. Responding to the progressive worsening health condition of forests, not limited only to our country, there are emerging efforts to identify and eliminate the mechanism underlying this phenomenon. A frequently discussed issue in this context is the climate change -- one of the factors sharing in the decline of mostly the non-native, but also native spruce forest stands. The changes in soil moisture content and air humidity represent one of the supposed causes underlying the tree weakening and possibly leading up to a complete decay of entire forest stands. In this paper we discuss the physiological response of the assimilatory apparatus in spruce trees during the stemwood growth phase on the study plot Iviny. The research was carried out on a sample of six irrigated and six non-irrigated (control) trees. Oneyear-old needles sampled from each tree in 2009 were measured for photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll afluorescence parameters, pigments concentration and needle water potential. A continual monitoring of meteorological characteristics was carried out. The results of selected physiological parameters measured in the spruce stand on the study plot Iviny allow to conclude that no significant differences between the irrigated and the control spruce individuals were recorded.

Keywords: Picea abies, decline, drought, stress markers, ecophysiology

Abstract: Nič, J., Tóbis, Š. 2011: Effect of the first generation of spruce on ground vegetation -- Beskydy, 4 (2): 119--126

Nowadays, the changes in tree species composition represent a great threat for productive forests of Slovakia. The change of edificator species is coupled with the change of ground vegetation, which can be used as a phytoindicator of site conditions in forest stands. Our goal was to compare two communities with different tree species composition. In the first case, tree species composition resembled the natural composition, i.e. the mixture of spruce, fir, and beech. In the second case, tree species composition was changed to favour spruce. Both communities belonged to Abieto-Fagetum group of forest types. In both communities, 15 plant relevés were collected and subsequently evaluated using an ecological analysis according to Ellenberg (1992). The results of the analysis were presented in graphs to visualise the changes. Statistical test and ecological analysis did not detect any differences between ground vegetation communities in the stands with natural and changed tree-species composition. Therefore, we conclude that the first generation of spruce in the altered forest stands has not significantly affected species composition of ground vegetation communities yet.

Keywords: fir-beech plant communities, ecological analysis, quantitative and qualitative features of plant communities

Abstract: Suchomel, J., Čepelka, L., Purchart, L. 2011: Pilot Study of the Impact of Arvicolinae on European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) Plantations in the Jeseníky Mts. (Czech Republic). -- Beskydy, 4 (2): 127--132

The impact of vole (Arvicolinae) on artificial regeneration of the common beech in the Jeseníky Mts. was studied. Damage to 18 selected plantations fluctuated from 1.5 to 33 % (mean value 13.6 %). Sites with north-western exposure were most sensitive to damage. Increase in damage positively correlated with increase in vole populations. The extent of damage decreased with increasing altitude. This was related to a similar decrease in abundance of genus Microtus whose impact proved to be decisive (89%). The decrease in abundance was explained by a significant negative correlation between grass cover and growing altitude. A reverse trend was manifested in bank vole (Myodes glareolus) whose abundance increased with altitude due to increasing cover of dicotyledonous plants. However, owing to its lower impact (10% proportion on impact), its overall impact was marginal. Only damage on saplings, which was located higher than 20 cm on stem, correlates positively with this species abundance. Relation between the age of planted saplings and gnawing intensity was not verified.

Keywords: field vole, bank vole, Arvicolinae, European beech, artificial plantations, bark gnawin

Abstract: Drápela, K., Drápelová, I., 2011: : Application of Mann-Kendall test and the Sen's slope estimates for trend detection in deposition data from Bílý Kříž (Beskydy Mts., the Czech Republic) 1997--2010. -- Beskydy, 4 (2): 133--146

Data from precipitation monitoring station located at Bílý Kříž in Beskydy Mts. were analyzed in order to find out whether and how the decrease of emissions in the Czech Republic and neighbouring countries is reflected in the composition of precipitation. Statistically significant decrease of mean annual concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Fe in bulk precipitation and of H+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, NO3-, SO4-, Cl- and conductivity in wet only precipitation were found by applying Mann-Kendall test. No trend was found for Na+, Mn, F- and for total wet deposition of potential acid. The decrease in deposition of acidifying substances is accompanied by simultaneous decrease of Ca 2+ and Mg2+ what can hinder the recovery from acidification. Cluster analysis has indicated the influence of the sea spray at this upcountry site and the common source of Pb, SO42-, Cd.

Keywords: atmospheric deposition, pollution trends, Moravian-Silesian Beskydy Mts., trend analysis, Mann-Kendall test, Sen's slope estimates

Abstract: Mauer, O., Palátová, E. 2011: Root system development of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) after different site preparation in the air-polluted area of the Krušné hory Mts. -- Beskydy, 4 (2): 147--160

The paper analyzes the development and health condition of root system in European beech aged 8--10 years, planted in the Krušné hory Mts. within the framework of reconstructions on plots prepared by various technologies before the establishment of substitute tree species stands. Root systems from natural regeneration in the Krušné hory Mts. and beech trees planted in the Bohemian-Moravian Upland served as controls. Only a third of trees from the natural regeneration developed a taproot. Planted between non-spread mounds, all beech trees developed a superficial root system. In other stands, a half of the trees had a root system with substitute taproots and a half of the trees had a superficial root system. No material differences were found in the development of the root system between beech trees in the Krušné hory Mts. and those in the Bohemian-Moravian Upland. Even in the Krušné hory Mts., the beech can be regenerated on screened localities sized up to 0.50ha.

Keywords: European beech, root system, Ore Mts., reconstruction of substitute tree species stands, natural regeneration

Abstract: : Kukla, J., Kuklová, M. 2011: : Impact of long-term cultivation of spruce monocultures on development of forest soils. -- Beskydy, 4 (2): 161--172

The impact of long-termed cultivation of spruce stands and of acid atmospheric pollutants was studied on vertical transect in the Working-plan area Forests of city Spišská Nová Ves. Statistical analyses showed that the mean values of active and exchange reactions found in loamy sand Podzols were significantly lower compared with sandy loam to loam Cambisols. The results showed, that the active reaction in A horizons of Cambisols was already shifted below value 3.9, i.e. in the span of oligotrophic order of geobiocoens. The process of podzolization is reversible, because the albic horizons of Podzols were not still formed. The loamy sand Podzols occurring in upper part of transect are reach in skeleton (80--90%) and their maximum water capacity represents only 60--80mm of water column (28--58% of water capacity in studied Cambisols).

Keywords: spruce ecosystems, acid soils, podzolisation, water capacit

Abstract: : Kellerová, D., Janík, R. 2011:The influence of stocking on proton load in two submountain beech ecosystems. -- Beskydy, 4 (2): 173--178

Air quality was investigated in two regions, model for the Central-European beech sub-mountain forests: one situated near an aluminium plant in the Štiavnické vrchy Mts, heavy polluted in the past, and the other situated in the relatively slightly polluted Kremnické vrchy Mts, both in the West Carpathians Mts. In the years 1994--2006, we compared H+ concentrations between two beech stands at rotation maturity, a small-area clear cut and an open, non-forested plot. The highest proton load (H+) values (21.0mmol H+ day -1 m-2) were recorded on the small-area clear cut in the Kremnické vrchy Mts, the highest in the mature forest stands: 7.9 mmol H+ day -1 m-2 in the Štiavnické vrchy Mts, and 7.1mmol H+ day -1 m-2in the Kremnické vrchy Mts. It follows that forest stands can act as filters capturing polluting substances. The results of the study show that the small-area forest regeneration at specific growth phase (small pole stage) starts to perform as a filter for gases and precipitation, that means, starts to perform the role of a forest stand. Apart from temporal and spatial trends, there was also evaluated the dynamics of proton load. The linear decreasing trend in the Štiavnické vrchy Mts was affected by airborne pollutants, points out a reduction in polluting substances over the last two decades. On the other hand, the tendency in the Kremnické vrchy Mts has been moderately increasing since the turn of the centuries.

Keywords: proton load, cutting phases, forest beech, aluminium plant, the West Carpathians Mts.

Abstract: :Tesař, V., Dobrovolný, L. 2011:: Growth response of spruce stands to subsiding air pollution load at promoted development of crowns. -- Beskydy, 4 (2): 179--190

Development of artificial spruce stands grown under air pollution load in different stand tending regimes was studied in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids in Spruce-Beech altitudinal vegetation zones (980--1075m a.s.l.) with the aim to check in the mountain forest the efficiency of a so-called crown management focused on the creation of large crowns with abundant assimilatory apparatus. The authors worked with a false time series of values from three cases of stand comparison. The stands were aged 1) 18 years, 2) 41 and 46 years and 3) 52 and 62 years. Changes of stand density, stand basal area, diameter structure and slenderness ratio were recorded for 23 or 19 years. It was demonstrated that the release of crowns had the greatest effect in young stands; even if carried out at the age of about 40 years of the stand, its effect still cannot be considered negligible. Through stimulating the diameter increment, the mean stem diameter increases along with the proportion of large-diameter trees and with the improving slenderness ratio. The stands responded to the decreased air pollution load by the increased diameter growth.

Keywords: mountain spruce forest; stand improvement; crown release effect; growth response; stand density change; slenderness ratio; air pollution decrease.