Forest site classification of forest ecosystems in Bohemian Karst (Czech Republic)

Self Cite

ABSTRACT:In 2002 a study focused on the evaluation of height and density of expanding natural regeneration of Fraxinus excelsior L. (FE) was carried out on Velká hora Hill, a locality in the Bohemian Karst (Český kras). The examined area is located in Karlštejn National Nature Reserve and takes up around 31 ha. The parent rock is limestone. The expansion depends on soil and exposition conditions and relates to the water balance gradient. FE reached the highest densities (up to 6,000 individuals/400 m 2 ) on Velká hora's peak plateau on medium-deep, heavy-textured decarbonized soils. The lowest expansion (508 individuals/400 m 2 ) was found on slopes fully exposed to south (S) with water retention capacity lower than 20 mm. In total, the average density was 1,190 individuals/400 m 2 . FE natural regeneration reached the highest average heights (around 210 cm) on Fageto-Quercetum illimerosum mesotrophicum, the smallest heights on Carpineto-Aceretum saxatile. Average height in the locality was 47 cm. No relation was found between FE natural regeneration height or density and the distance of a fertile specimen. The distance exceeded 70 m only in 3.4%. FE seeds could be detected almost everywhere at the area. FE is capable to establish itself on any location of the studied locality except ecologically extreme parts of rock steppe without forest and Fagus sylvatica L. stands occupying S slopes. On less favourable sites it is capable to use the protection of other tree species and as a low growing tree it can eventually dominate the site. In more favourable conditions it expands on the whole area, where it can dominate the undergrowth already at 1-m height. If the forest sites are left to natural development, a distinctive change in the tree species composition could take place in a short time period. Such a change could have an essential impact on light conditions, energy flux and species composition of plant and animal communities.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological valence of expanding European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) in the Bohemian Karst (Czech Republic)

Střeštík¹,

Šamonil²

2006

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“…Although the EQ values in this instance range from 29-33, the 2 nd FVZ is prevalent in Hercynicum. However, due to the influence of mesoclimate, conditions for both the 1 st and 3 rd FVZ can emerge (Šamonil, Viewegh 2005;Šamonil et al 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the Ellenberg quotient as a practical tool for vertical vegetation zonation

Dujka¹,

Kusbach²

2023

The Ellenberg quotient (EQ) is a climate index defined as a ratio of the hottest month's temperature and the average annual precipitation sum. The quotient indirectly expresses the relationship between climate and vegetation, and its application is related to the ecological niche of Fagus sp. Although the quotient was curated on the grounds of field research primarily on German vegetation, the possibilities of its utilisation are not limited to the Central European region. The objective of this study is (i) to compare the EQ values calculated for the forest vegetation zones in the Czech Republic with the published data using the ecological niche of Fagus sylvatica; and (ii) to compare the new EQ-based vertical model with field empirical mapping. The study area is the Czech Republic, Central Europe. We used climate data from 1970-2000 and the data of the National Forest Inventory, 2 nd cycle (2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015), representing an objective data design. Geospatial analytic methods, machine learning (boosting), and verification through statistical testing were performed. The results indicate higher EQ values between the two most substantial spatial frames -the Hercynicum and Carpaticum regions. By comparing empirical mapped units to their climatic potential (in the EQ), a match was found only within the Carpaticum region. The study presents a concretisation of the general climate index for a specific region, adds to the knowledge about the Fagus ecological niche in context with the Central European vegetation, and also points to the EQ's potential for evaluating the concept of vertical differentiation of forest communities, as well as a possible prediction tool for the vegetation migration in context with climate change.

Plant community variability within potential natural vegetation units: a case study from the Bohemian Karst

Šamonil¹,

Polesná²,

Unar³

2009

Based on a map of potential natural vegetation (PNV), actual vegetation was studied in the Mramor locality (106.4 ha). A total of 188 relevés were examined using stratified random sampling. A comparison was made between trends in vegetation variability throughout the entire locality and variability within the defined PNV units. The stratification of the locality according to PNV units was only partly representative of the main trends in vegetation variability, especially at ecologically distinctive sites. On the other hand, in areas with a relatively limited ecological gradient, the sites were "oversampled". The variability of plant communities within PNV units was high. The results of this case study suggest that the need for delineation of PNV units which are homogeneous in terms of production, site and phytocoenosis is overestimated. This delineation neither corresponds to the characteristics of actual ecosystems nor is necessary for the application of a PNV system. A more suitable unit for the development of such a system would be, for example, forest type series.