In recent decades, changes in stand structure in Central European fir-beech forests, such as accumulation of large-diameter firs, fir dieback, and poor regeneration, have been well documented. Besides environmental factors, light harvesting was suggested as one of the main drivers of the negative structural dynamics of these forests in Croatia. This study applied the MOSES 3.0 stand simulator on permanent sample plot data to reconstruct stand development over the past 20 years and simulate long-term projections of selection stand structure and regeneration with respect to theoretical values, using three management regimes differing by the applied harvesting intensity (traditionally applied, theoretical intensity, and no management). Sample plot data from three sets of detailed measurements (1992, 2002, and 2012) were used for validation of the simulator, and eleven 10-year cycles of management were then simulated under the above management scenarios. Results showed a positive influence of harvest intensity on stand regeneration and the achievement of a targeted selection structure in the long term. Two management scenarios predicted a decrease in stand volume (34% and 40%, respectively), an increase in the initial percentage (28%) of beech and maple (58% and 75%, respectively), and the achievement of optimal stand regeneration of 11-13 recruited trees per hectare annually (60% firs). No management scenario could achieve old-growth structure (accumulation of standing stock, large trees, and deadwood). The theoretical intensity scenario was evaluated as the better approach to be applied in this type of forest stands in Croatia.

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The age, size and morphology of trees, including crown dimensions, can influence crown defoliation. In Croatia, the selection management of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) forests involves pure or mixed stands, either of which can be affected by various disturbances, resulting in unbalanced stand structures. The aim of this study was to estimate the probability of trees transitioning from one defoliation class to the next, examine the influence of tree attributes on that process and analyze the changes in survival over time. The study was conducted over a 18-year period (1990–2007) on two sites with contrasting stand structures: a uniform stand with a dominant share of silver fir (Site A) and an uneven-aged mixed beech–fir stand (Site B). Logistic regression was used to model tree transitions between defoliation classes. Uniform stand structure increased the likelihood of silver fir trees transitioning to a higher defoliation class, with limited dependence on the tree crown position. In contrast, suppressed and central trees in uneven-aged stands were more likely to transition to a higher defoliation due to greater competition between them. Diameter at breast height (DBH) was found to be a significant predictor of tree transition to higher defoliation classes, with a linear trend of increasing probability with increasing DBH. Crown position and crown length were also found to be significant predictors of changing defoliation class, with observed differences between sites occurring due to differences in stand structure. To ensure a balanced stand structure and enhance tree vitality, careful consideration of easily measurable tree elements such as DBH, crown length, and tree crown position is imperative when selecting trees for felling.

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U radu je prikazan utjecaj mjeritelja i pogrešaka mjerenja na izmjeru prsnog promjera stabla. Istraživanje je provedeno na nastavno-pokusnom šumskom objektu Zagreb: u nizinskoj sastojini hrasta lužnjaka i običnog graba te u sastojini obične jele i bukve (na nagnutom terenu). Pokušalo se obuhvatiti najčešće pogreške pri izmjeri prsnog promjera te su tri mjeritelja mjerila unakrsne prsne promjere stabala na samoodređenoj i označenoj prsnoj visini. Također, mjeren je promjer na način da je promjerka pozicionirana deset centimetara ispod i iznad stvarne prsne visine, zatim sa krakovima promjerke odmaknutim od debla, s normalnim i jačim pritiskom na krakove te izmjera promjera stabla sa krakovima promjerke okrenutim prema gore radi lakšeg očitanja vrijednosti. Rezultati su pokazali da je razlika između dva unakrsna promjera (eliptičnost stabla) veća nego pogreška izmjere promjera pri subjektivnoj procjeni prsne visine. Također, izmjera provedena ispod i iznad stvarne prsne visine daje statistički značajnu pozitivnu odnosno negativnu vrijednost prsnog promjera u odnosu na stvarnu. Kod krakova odmaknutih od debla dobivene su očekivane niže vrijednosti prsnog promjera kao i kod izmjere sa krakovima okrenutim prema gore. Utvrđene su i razlike u izmjeri promjera između samih mjeritelja. Obzirom da je prsni promjer stabla osnova za procjenu volumena pojedinačnog stabla i sastojine, iz svega spomenutog jasno je da pogreške pri izmjeri prsnog promjera, bile one uzrokovane nepažnjom mjeritelja ili metodološke, mogu imati značajan utjecaj na dobivene rezultate.