University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal

Go directly to the nagivation.
Go directly to the content.

Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:

Ajdin Starcevic (2022): Forest dynamics of the natural forest reserve Schiffwald.
Master / Diploma Thesis - Institut für Waldbau (WALDBAU), BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur, pp 86. UB BOKU obvsg FullText

Data Source: ZID Abstracts

Abstract:: Changes in forest characteristics, primarily influenced by natural disturbances, characterize forest dynamics. Natural forest reserves (NFR) provide a unique chance to study natural forest dynamics since they are unaffected by human management. In this regard, 45 sample plots with a 9.77 meter fixed radius were resampled in the NFR Schiffwald in 2021 to examine forest dynamics over the previous 12 years. The NFR Schiffwald is located on the northern slopes of the Hochschwab massif between 960 and 1500 meters above sea level and, and with 692 hectares, one of the largest NFRs in Austria. To assess the current state of the NFR a descriptive analysis of the growing stock, diameter and height distribution, natural regeneration, and deadwood volumes was required. Besides this, a comparison with the data from the last inventory cycle from 2009 was undertaken to examine the natural forest dynamics. In 2021, the growing stock was 284.90+/-155.03 m3/ha, which was 16.81 m3/ha less than in 2009. In 2021, the volume of deadwood increased by 14.68 m3/ha and averaged at 71.62 m3/ha. In 2021, around 80% of the deadwood was categorized as standing deadwood, while 60% of the deadwood was in the early stages of decomposition. Due to the limited amount of advanced and heavily decomposed deadwood, the number of individuals in the natural regeneration in 2021 was considerably lower than in 2009. Due to a higher vulnerability of Norway spruce to natural disturbances, the heterogeneity of various development stages could increase in the following decades due to a higher mortaility. To determine the actual causes of tree morality and to continuously study the future dynamics of forests, additional research and monitoring is needed.; Beurteilende*r: Vacik Harald; 1.Mitwirkender: