University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Maria-Barbara Winter
(2009):
Natural regeneration and protection efficiency of the upper montane forests in the Natural Forest Reserve Goldeck, Carinthia.
Master / Diploma Thesis,
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 89.
UB BOKU
obvsg
FullText
- Abstract:
- Many mountain forests growing in the European Alps protect the site, subjacent infrastructure and settlements against the impact of natural disasters. Natural regeneration is of prime importance for a permanent forest cover and continuous protection. The regeneration preconditions of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in the upper montane zone of the Austrian southern inner Alps are however insufficiently understood. The aim of this study was therefore to characterise favourable conditions of site factors for germination and establishment of Norway spruce and to quantify the protection efficiency of unmanaged forest stands in this zone. The case study was conducted on the north facing slopes of the Natural Forest Reserve (NFR) Goldeck in Carinthia. Forest structure was investigated on 30 regular sample plots 300 m2 in size, including 480 subplots of 0.25 m2 and 1 m2 where seedlings and saplings were recorded respectively. Binary logistic regression models were used to examine the importance of micro site characteristics on the occurrence of Norway spruce regeneration.The potential current and future protection efficiency under natural development was assessed following the NaiS-Guidelines of the Swiss Federal Office of the Environment. The existence of regeneration was significantly related to the amount of direct and indirect radiation at the position of the individual plant. Spruce germination decreased on thin humus layers. Spruce saplings were negatively linked to soil humidity and slope gradient but positively influenced by the dominance of mosses. The results of the protection efficiency assessment prove a satisfactory stability of the forest stands and good conditions for germination. Long, permanently unstocked gullies crossing the reserve and the absence of Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) regeneration which would be part of the natural vegetation in the Galio rotundifolii-Abietum led however to deficiencies in protection performance. The forest stands of the reserve are characterised by a strong heterogeneity and un-even structure with groups of old trees next to regeneration patches. This will reduce the length of critical periods with low protection efficiency.
- Beurteilende(r): Vacik Harald