Successional Pattern, Stand Structure and Regeneration of Forest Vegetation According to Local Environmental Gradients
Journal Title: Ecologia Balkanica - Year 2013, Vol 5, Issue 1
Abstract
Despite the attempted botanical and ecological studies so far, integrated picture of successional and regenerative pattern of the forest vegetation in the studied area have not been achieved. Moreover, stand composition and development of these forests have never been studied in the context of environmental gradients. This study aims to integrate and clarify the accumulated knowledge about the successional pattern, stand structure and regeneration in the studied territory. It has also attempted to test some classical viewpoints about the forest vegetation pattern, placed in the context of environmental gradients. We hypothesized that most forest stands will follow the normal diameter distribution. Gradient-transect sampling procedure was used. Accumulated field samples were classified using TWINSPAN clustering method. Obtained forest community types were tested for consistency. Distribution of stand stem number by diameter classes was tested with Shapiro-Wilk test for normality. Stand successional distribution followed its own trajectory and no convergence has been found. All stands had normal diameter distribution and compromised seed regeneration, i.e. they were in “stagnant” condition. Dominant trees also had normal stem distribution except beech stands from the most xeric habitats, but this was due to their sprouting regeneration. We hypothesized that this regeneration pattern is due to erroneous management and lack of major natural disturbances in the area during the last decades, which could have drew the stands from “stagnancy” and restart the seed regeneration. If this tendency is maintained we suppose that it will lead to continuing degradation of local forest vegetation.
Authors and Affiliations
Nikolay R. Dyakov
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP94605
- DOI -
- Views 182
- Downloads 0
Preliminary Data on Age Estimation and Body Size of the Dwarf Lizard, Parvilacerta parva (Boulenger, 1887) (Reptilia: Lacertilia) from Akşehir, Konya (Turkey)
In this study, age determination was done by using the skeletochronology method on Akşehir, Konya (Turkey), 14 (5♂♂; 9♀♀) Parvilacerta parva specimens. Cross-sections of femurs were examined in total 14 individuals, the...
Rare and Endangered Geophyte Plant Species in Serpentine of Kosovo
Our study documents information on rarity, geographical distribution, taxonomy and conservation status of 11 geophyte species in serpentine soils of Kosovo, already included in the Red Book of Vascular Flora of Kosovo. K...
Susceptibility of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to Spinosad (Tracer®) as a Eco-friendly Biopesticide
Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) are internal feeder of various stored grains and introducted as major stored product insect pests. Due to the resistance by insect pests and negative effects of synthe...
Eco-physiological Study on the Influence of Contaminated Waters from the Topolnitza River Catchment Area on Some Crops
The present study is a small part of a program for an investigation of the water conditions in the Topolnitza Dam Lake, Topolnitza River and its catchment area. The sensitivity of seeds and young wheat, sunflower and mus...
Dispersion Modeling of the Air Pollution, Emitted by the Traffic in the Transport Tunnel under the Old Town of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Аir quality control and management is one of the areas in which Europe has been the most active in recent years. Air quality assessment is the process of determining the nature of ambient air pollution using monitoring a...