Decay rates of woody debris were estimated and used to model the decay of various diameters of branches and stems in a beech stand in Central Germany. In addition, use of wood density, volume and mass loss to quantitatively describe the degree of decay was tested. The mass loss during decay could be described by a simple exponential function. Under the presented climatic conditions, beech coarse woody debris (CWD) with a diameter [10 cm decays completely in about 35 years. In the first 8 years of decay the mass loss is determined by the decrease in wood density, and subsequently by the loss in volume. Estimation of wood density allows the first three of the four classes of decay to be distinguished, while trees in the last two decay classes could be distinguished using wood volume. Beech fine woody debris with a diameter between 1 and 10 cm decays within about 18 years. The litter fraction of \1 cm is part of the humus layer after 4 years. If there are goals for the amounts, types and dimensions of woody debris to be provided for conservation of biological biodiversity and other ecological functions in managed beech forests, this study offer indications for how long existing woody debris can meet its functions and how frequent new input of CWD is required.

The purpose of the study was to investigate fine-root growth in gaps created for beech (Fagussylvatica L.) regeneration. Fine-root growth was measured using the ingrowth core technique. Measurements were carried out in gaps 30 m in diameter, which were either untreated or treated with lime, and in a mature beech stand. Ingrowth core experiments showed that growth of beech fine roots in gap centres was negligible during the 2nd and 3rd year after gap creation, indicating that although fine roots from stumps stayed alive long after trees were cut, they did not grow. It also indicated that trees surrounding gaps did not effectively grow fine roots that reached 10 m into the gap centre. At the edge of unlimed gaps (5 m away from the stems), fine-root growth was one-third that of the mature stand. In the stand the amount of live fine roots in ingrowth cores (390 g•m−2) had attained the standing crop level after 16 months. In limed gaps, where herbaceous vegetation had established, herbaceous root growth was 800–970 g•m−2 after 16 months. Neither fine-root growth nor aboveground biomass of herbaceous plants was substantial in untreated gaps. The slow recovery of biomass production in unlimed gaps showed that the resistance of this beech forest to nutrient losses following disturbance is low.

Biomass equations are a helpful tool to estimate the tree and stand biomass production and standing stock. Such estimations are of great interest for science but also of great importance for global reports on the carbon cycle and the global climate system. Even though there are various collections and generic meta-analyses available with biomass equations for mature trees, reports on biomass equations for juvenile trees (seedlings and saplings) are mainly missing. Against the background of an increasing amount of reforestation and afforestation projects and forests in young successional stages, such equations are required. In this study we have collected data from various studies on the aboveground woody biomass of 19 common tree species growing in Europe. The aim of this paper was to calculate species-specific biomass equations for the aboveground woody biomass of single trees in dependence of root-collar-diameter (RCD), height (H) and the combination of the two (RCD2 H). Next to calculating species-specific biomass equations for the species available in the dataset, we also calculated generic biomass equations for all broadleaved species and all conifer species. The biomass equations should be a contribution to the pool of published biomass equations, whereas the novelty is here that the equations were exclusively derived for young trees

No abstract

Despite the importance of gaps in the dynamics and management of many forest types, very little is known about the medium- to long-term soil C and N dynamics associated with this disturbance. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that gap creation and lime application, a routine measure in many European forests to ameliorate soil acidity, lead to accelerated litter decomposition and thus a reduction in the forest floor and soil C and N pools. Four gaps were created in 1989 in a mature European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest on acid soil with a moder humus, and lime (3 t dolomite·ha–1) was applied to two of these and surrounding areas. Litter and fine-root decomposition was measured in 1992–1993 and 1996–1998 using litterbags. Forest floor (L, F, and H layers) and mineral soil (0–40 cm) C and N pools were determined in 1989 and 1997. Eight years following silvicultural treatments, there was no change in C and N over the entire forest soil profile including forest floor. Reductions in the F and H layers in limed gaps were compensated for by increases in soil C and N in the surface (0–10 cm) mineral soil. Decomposition of F litter was significantly accelerated in limed gaps, leading to the development of a mull–moder, whereas gap creation alone had no effect on mass loss of F material in litterbags. Gap size disturbances in this acid beech forest appear to have minimal influences on soil C and N stocks. However, when combined with liming, changes in the humus form and vertical distribution of soil C and N may occur.