Impact of browsing on forest regeneration within the restoration of secondary Norway spruce forests (Kobernausserwald and Wilhelmsburg)
Abstract
The aim of the project is to enlarge the knowledge basis regarding the impact of browsing on forest regeneration. In specific it is focussing on the interaction between browsing by ungulates and the development of the forest regeneration under different silvicultural conditions. In the experimental approach the special conditions of forest restoration are taken into account (conversion of secondary spruce stands into broadleaf stands). The project started in 1998 within the Special Research program (SRP). The study areas in Wilhelmsburg (NÖ) and Kobernausserwald (OÖ) have been established in close partnership with the forest enterprises. In each area five plots have been established. On the plots two different types of timber cutting (clearcut, shelterwood cutting) were carried out to set different conditions for regeneration. Except on plot, where artificial regeneration with spruce, fir and beech was carried out, natural regeneration is targeted. To assess the impact of ungulates (in general roe deer) the established plots consist of fenced and unfenced partititions. Up to now four surveys were carried out and 3000 trees of the species spruce, fir, beech were marked. In the surveys data on the individual tree level, on ground vegetation and the overstory have been collected. The research project is adressing the following questions: ¿ Impact of browsing on the growth dynamic and mortality of spruce, fir and beech (as the target species of forest restoration in this areas) ¿ Impact of the overstory on regeneration density, diversity and mortality of forest regeneration ¿ Impact of browsing on the growth competition between the tree species and between the tree species and the ground vegetation Ungulate browsing can be a major cause of obstructing forest regeneration or forest regeneration targets. But in forest practice no thresholds of browsing impact are defined which are tolerable. Scientific sound and applicable thresholds can be found only through long-term investigations in different forest-growth regions. Up to now research results derived from long-term studies are rare. In this project the foundation is laid for future research on this topic.
keywords browsing impact forest restoration forest regeneration roe deer
Publikationen
Project staff
Hubert Sterba
Em.O.Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Hubert Sterba
hubert.sterba@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-91416
Project Leader
20.05.2001 - 31.01.2003
BOKU partners
External partners
Institute of Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Nutrition and Wildlife Diseases
none
coordinator