Search

Wildlife damage to forests has become an increasingly serious problem in recent years, and its impact is exacerbated by ongoing climate change. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, uneven precipitation distribution, and other factors affect forest ecosystems, which, in turn, affect cloven-hoofed animal populations, their food preferences, and ultimately, the extent of damage they cause. Based on 133 references, this review article focuses on the relationships between wildlife damage and climate change and presents possible strategies to address this issue in the Czech Republic. Wildlife damage includes not just browsing and fraying in natural and artificial regeneration but also damage to trees from bark stripping and the lesser-known rooting of seedlings. Concerning tree species, browsing is most damaging to silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.). The enticement to wildlife increases as the proportion of the tree species in the stand decreases. Browse damage is more severe at the edge of the stand. Bark stripping and secondary rot cause the most damage to the production quality of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). Total wildlife damage increases with elevation. Combined with the progress of climate change, game-induced damage significantly restricts close-to-nature forest management practices and limits the use of adaptive measures in response to climate change. In addition, mixed forests with species that attract wildlife and the rapid increase in the number of clearings following bark beetle salvage logging significantly increase game pressure. This is primarily the result of the overpopulation of native and introduced game species and the considerable inconsistency between forest and hunting management practices, with the latter not respecting the principle of ecologically tolerable game damage.

Crown dimensions are correlated to growth of other parts of a tree and often used as predictors in growth models. The crown-to-bole diameter ratio (CDBDR), which is a ratio of maximum crown width to diameter at breast height (DBH), was modelled using data from permanent sample plots located on Norway spruce ( (L.) Karst.) and European beech ( L.) stands in different parts of the Czech Republic. Among various tree and stand-level measures evaluated, DBH, height to crown base (HCB), dominant height (HDOM), basal area of trees larger in diameter than a subject tree (BAL), basal area proportion of the species of interest (BAPOR), and Hegyiâs competition index (CI) were found to be significant predictors in the CDBDR model. Random effects were included using the mixed-effects modelling to describe sample plot-level variation. For each species, the mixed-effects model described a larger part of the variation of the CDBDR than nonlinear ordinary least squares model with no trend in the residuals. The spatially explicit mixed-effects model showed more attractive fit statistics [conditional Râââ0.73 (spruce), 0.78 (beech)] than its spatially inexplicit counterpart [conditional Râââ0.71 (spruce), 0.76 (beech)]. The model showed that CDBDR increased with increasing HDOM â a measure that combines the stand development stage and site quality â but decreased with increasing HCB and competition (increasing BAL and CI), and decreasing proportions of the species of interest (increasing BAPOR). For both species, the spatially explicit mixed-effects model should be a preferred choice for a precise prediction of the CDBDR. The CDBDR model will have various management implications such as determination of spacing, stand basal area, stocking, and planning of appropriate species mixture.Picea abiesFagus sylvatica22

On the one hand, the European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is the tree of the future due to ongoing climate changes, on the other hand, there are questions about its expansion and economic use as a replacement for the declining Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). This literature review examines 140 studies summarizing basic research on beech in the context of climate change. As a climax tree species, beech is becoming dominant again in parts of its original range at the middle and higher altitudes of Central Europe, following spruce. It is a shade-loving species that can thrive in various types of mixed forest stands. To cultivate beech, close-to-nature methods, shelterwood, or selection management are optimal. The occurrence of the beech seed year is influenced by factors such as precipitation, temperature, drought, and air pollution. Although beech is generally considered resistant to abiotic and biotic factors, it often needs protection against hoofed game browsing in the earliest stages of development. As climate change progresses, it is essential to cultivate beech in areas rich in precipitation and nutrients where it can thrive even under more extreme conditions. In optimal conditions, beech has shown intensive regeneration in recent years, aggressively displacing other tree species. However, with insufficient precipitation and prolonged periods of drought, beech loses its vigor, production, and ability to compete. For adaptation to climate change, it is recommended to select appropriate beech provenance, promote natural regeneration, and cultivate structurally differentiated stands through positive-selection thinning from above.

Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) is the most important economic tree species in Central Europe. It has been affected by extensive windstorms and bark beetle disturbances, which have intensified in recent years. Spruce stands are subject to regular reoccurring disturbances with different intensities. This study examines timber harvests in the Czech Republic and the tree-ring series of Norway spruce from six permanent research plots across the country. The timber harvest shows a cyclical connection with the sunspot number, and of these, the percentage of spruce logging shows a substantial link with the sunspot number while the percentage of salvage logging indicates a relation with Total Solar Irradiance (TSI) and seasonal temperature. The seasonal North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) indicated a link with logging types as well. However, the connection between TSI and SunSpot Number (SSN) with logging types was statistically significant, while the tree rings were more related to seasonal NAO than timber harvests. The tree Ring Width Index (RWI) series shows reduced growth, which precedes the peak in the timber harvests by 1 year. Timber harvests peak one year after minimum RWI, and they coincide with solar minimum years. In summary, average tree ring series reach predominantly their lowest values one year before the solar minimum, coinciding with increased spruce and salvage logging. Conversely, during the solar maximum, harvests are lower, and tree ring series remain relatively stable. In the spectral analysis, tree-ring series and all types of timber harvests show a quasi-11-year cycle. Spruce trees indicate higher tree-ring growth and lower timber harvests during solar maximum compared to solar minimum and this may be associated with specific meteorological conditions that may be affected by solar variability. European forestry is unfamiliar with the effects of the solar cycle; nevertheless, this phenomenon is present in both spruce tree rings and the aggregate of timber harvests. Further research on this issue will be necessary, but it is already apparent that regularly recurring calamities in spruce stands are likely to be reflected in all of Central Europe.

The long-term decline of the black grouse population throughout Europe is influenced by many factors that affect populations differently depending on the distribution range, from Central Europe to the Scandinavian countries. Therefore, we analyzed available literature sources to describe the main reasons for the population decline of this species and to suggest conservation measures. In total, 228 pieces of literature from 1955 to 2024 were analyzed for this study. Based on the literature analysis, it is clear that the drivers of population decline differ across the distributional range. In Central Europe, where the population is declining rapidly, habitat loss and forest fragmentation are crucial factors, as is the negative impact of tourism. In Scandinavia, where the population is gradually declining, decreasing breeding success and increasing chick mortality rates are generally considered the main negative factors. However, these factors also affect black grouse populations in Central Europe. It is crucial to acknowledge that a significant proportion of the contributing factors, such as predation and habitat loss, can be attributed to human activities. Therefore, it is necessary to emphasize that environmental protection should work hand in hand with wildlife managers to improve the situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in wild ungulate population density harms the dynamics of forest ecosystems. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the initial degree of damage, as a key factor in the secondary spread of fungal pathogens, and other parameters as a result of bark stripping caused by red deer (Cervus elaphus L.). The research focused on young Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) stands (7-26 years) in a total of 20 permanent research plots at four locations in the Klášterec nad Ohří and Rumburk Forest Service, each with an area of 100 m² (10 m x 10 m). From the assessment of 783 spruce individuals, it follows that damage by bark stripping in particular stands amounted to 23.4-58.3%. Average circumferential damage ranged between 20.2-32.1% with a trunk wound length of 38.5-77.0 cm. Overall, a significant (p < 0.05) difference in dendrometric parameters (DBH and tree height) was found between undamaged "healthy" trees, and individuals with new and old damage in terms of attractiveness to game. The average DBH of undamaged trees varies between 2.0 and 3.7 cm, which is the size that wildlife prefers for initial damage. The lowest dimension of newly damaged trees starts from a DBH of 1.5 cm, and trees with a DBH > approx. 9 cm were no longer searched for wildlife. Effective hunting management and regulation of the abundance of ungulates to ecologically acceptable levels are the key to the protection of forest stands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) represents one of the most important commercial coniferous tree species, providing valuable timber. Due to climate change, it is experiencing serious problems in some areas, therefore, finding a suitable substitute for its wood is currently a challenge. In this study, we compared the wood quality of three different non-native pine species and Scots pine growing at the same site to ensure identical growing conditions. Black pine (Pinus nigra J. F. Arnold), a pine species native to Southern Europe, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex C. Lawson) native to North America were compared to Scots pine for selected quantitative (productivity) and qualitative (physical and mechanical) properties. Significant differences between pine species were found in all quantitative dendrometric parameters, except average diameter at breast height. The stand volume ranged from 157 m3 ha−1 for lodgepole pine to 356 m3 ha−1 for Scots pine. For qualitative characteristics, wood density, shrinkage, and compressive strength were used to find differences among species in choosing the best alternative. The highest wood density was obtained for Scots pine (458 kg m−3), followed by black pine with 441 kg m−3. The density of the remaining pine species was significantly lower. Scots pine also exceeded the tested species in compressive strength (44.2 MPa). Lodgepole pine achieved the second highest value (39.3 MPa) but was statistically similar to black pine (36.5 MPa). The tested pine species exhibited similar values in shrinkage, which were statistically insignificant, ranging from 14.3% for lodgepole pine to 15.1% for Scots pine. Based on applications and preferred characteristics, black pine or lodgepole pine could serve as the Scots pine substitute in some areas. And vice versa, ponderosa pine did not attain the Scots pine wood quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sri Lanka, as a developing tropical country, faces serious environmental challenges. Forests, as important ecosystems of Sri Lanka, are under pressure from intensive human activities and climate change. Invasive species represent a great hazard to autochthonous plant species and ecosystems, which are, at the same time, hosts to extraordinarily high biodiversity, of which a high percentage is endemic. In this paper, we reviewed the most challenging environmental problems of Sri Lanka and suggested the improvement of a number of them through silvicultural measures and cooperation with international experts, namely Czech foresters. We also reviewed the main forest biomes and addressed the specific problems and management of different forest types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change effects on tree reproduction are poorly understood, even though the resilience of populations relies on sufficient regeneration to balance increasing rates of mortality. Forest‐forming tree species often mast, i.e. reproduce through synchronised year‐to‐year variation in seed production, which improves pollination and reduces seed predation. Recent observations in European beech show, however, that current climate change can dampen interannual variation and synchrony of seed production and that this masting breakdown drastically reduces the viability of seed crops. Importantly, it is unclear under which conditions masting breakdown occurs and how widespread breakdown is in this pan‐European species. Here, we analysed 50 long‐term datasets of population‐level seed production, sampled across the distribution of European beech, and identified increasing summer temperatures as the general driver of masting breakdown. Specifically, increases in site‐specific mean maximum temperatures during June and July were observed across most of the species range, while the interannual variability of population‐level seed production (CVp) decreased. The declines in CVp were greatest, where temperatures increased most rapidly. Additionally, the occurrence of crop failures and low seed years has decreased during the last four decades, signalling altered starvation effects of masting on seed predators. Notably, CVp did not vary among sites according to site mean summer temperature. Instead, masting breakdown occurs in response to warming local temperatures (i.e. increasing relative temperatures), such that the risk is not restricted to populations growing in warm average conditions. As lowered CVp can reduce viable seed production despite the overall increase in seed count, our results warn that a covert mechanism is underway that may hinder the regeneration potential of European beech under climate change, with great potential to alter forest functioning and community dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European forests are facing ongoing climate change, and certain tree species are being critically impacted. The Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) is one of the most sensitive species to climate fluctuations, a fact manifesting itself through massive dieback resulting in a lack of high-quality timber and timber market destabilization. Therefore, the possibility of wood substitution with non-native spruce species, namely, black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) Britt., Sterns, et Poggenburg), Serbian spruce (Picea omorika (Pančić) Purk.), and blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.), under the specific conditions of forest reclamations with great potential for future afforestation was tested. Wood density, modulus of rupture, and modulus of elasticity were used to evaluate wood quality in comparison with native Norway spruce. The results confirmed that only the Serbian spruce reached the quality of Norway spruce and even exceeded it in terms of wood density (P. omorika 525 kg·m−3 vs. P. abies 517 kg·m−3) and exhibited comparable parameters with regard to other properties. The density of the other species was significantly lower for blue spruce (476 kg·m−3) and black spruce (468 kg·m−3). A similar trend was found for other wood parameters, which confirmed that Norway spruce quality was nearly comparable with that of Serbian spruce. On the other hand, black spruce and blue spruce did not match the quality of Norway spruce. The within-stem variability of the properties tested was low for all the spruce species examined. In conclusion, the Serbian spruce showed great potential for future usage in forest management and is one of the possible methods of Norway spruce replacement in times of unprecedented forest disturbances under the effects of global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest ecosystems in Sri Lanka are under pressure from intensive human activity and climate change. Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to autochthonous species and ecosystems. In Bundala National Park of Sri Lanka, there are efforts to control and limit the spreading of unwanted invasive Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. and Opuntia dillenii (Ker-Gawl.) Haw., which poses a significant risk to natural ecosystem conservation. Nine different treatment variants (four replications) were used to test which management approach provides the control of Prosopis juliflora. This research is based on nine repeated measurements from 2017 to 2021 on 36 permanent research plots (each 625 m2) with 27 observed plant species and a total of 90,651 recorded plant individuals. The results confirmed that the dynamics of species richness, heterogeneity, and evenness showed significant differences between treatments during the five years of dynamics. The lowest species diversity was found in the control variant, followed by treatments based on the hard pruning and thinning of Prosopis juliflora trees. In contrast, strategies emphasizing the complete uprooting of Prosopis juliflora trees, replanting, and support of the natural regeneration of native species showed high species diversity and a high overall number of plant species. Generally, treatments had a significant effect on species diversity and the number of individuals of Prosopis juliflora, while changes in the overall number of plant species were more affected by time and succession. Silvicultural treatments including pruning, uprooting, and thinning have proven to be essential tools for nature conservation across various sites, aimed at enhancing habitat diversity in the face of ongoing climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of climate change, Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) is dying across Europe. One of the primary reasons for this is the cultivation of unsuitable spruce provenances and ecotypes. This study deals with the growth and genetics of the ecotypes of Norway spruce, the most important tree species of the Czech Republic. At the study site, namely Cukrák, an experimental site was established in 1964 to plant three basic spruce ecotypes: low-elevation (LE), medium-elevation (ME) and high-elevation (HE) ecotype. A dendrometric inventory, dendrochronological sampling and genetic analyses were carried out on individual trees in 45 to 46 years old spruce stands. The ME ecotype was the most productive in terms of its carbon sequestration potential, while the HE ecotype had the lowest radial growth. All ecotypes exhibited a noteworthy negative correlation between tree-ring growth and seasonal temperature, annual temperature, previous year September to current year August temperature, June to July temperature, as well as individual monthly temperatures from previous May to current August. The relationship of annual and seasonal precipitation to growth was significant only for the LE and ME ecotypes, but precipitation from previous year September to current year August and precipitation from current June to July were the most significant for all ecotypes, where the ME had the highest r value. The HE ecotype does not adapt well to a dry climate and appears to be unsuitable compared to the other ecotypes under the studied conditions. This study also documented intra-population genetic variation within years of low growth, as evidenced by significant clonal heritability. The selection of the appropriate spruce ecotypes is essential for the stability and production of future stands and should become an important pillar of forest adaptation to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the evaluation of the effect of afforestation of previously arable land to soil characteristics changes. One of the main aims was to evaluate the effects of each forest species on the soil structure quality after afforestation. Soil samples were taken at two climatically distinct subregions within the Czech Republic. Based on the different site conditions, two study sites were chosen at each locality for a total of four research sites. Detailed soil survey and basic forest stand inventories were conducted at all four sites. The first locality was established in the Rychnov nad Kněžnou district in the Protected Landscape Area of the Orlické mountains (soil type a Haplic Cambisol). The second locality was established in the Prague-East district (soil type a Haplic Cambisol and a Haplic Stagnosol). Afforestation had a positive influence on the soil physical characteristics which are important for the maintenance of soil stability. Forest cover has a major influence on increasing the soil porosity, by decreasing the reduced bulk density and increasing capillary and gravitational pores, which is crucial. Afforestation was also found to be positively related to increases in soil organic matter content in different forms, both stable and unstable, and tendency of considerable soil organic matter accumulation not only in the layer of surface humus but also in the entire soil profiles of the research sites. The main contributor to soil improvement after afforestation is the formation of stable soil aggregates. This is typical also for spruce and pine cover.

Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) is a significant conifer tree species in Europe that holds significant economic and ecological value. However, it remains one of the most sensitive to climate change. This study describes the climate–growth relationship, focusing on dendroecology in hilly spruce forests (319–425 m a.s.l.) located in Bohemia, the Czech Republic, during 1950–2018. The results confirmed that the highest radial increment was obtained in locations with higher precipitation (Kostelec), while the lowest growth was observed in locations with lower precipitation (Karlstejn). Tree-ring growth shows very low increments for the years 1964 and 1976 for all plots, and the years with the least growth were confirmed by the negative pointer year analysis. This study confirmed precipitation as the main factor that affects the growth of spruce at lower altitudes. The radial growth for all study sites shows a statistically significant positive correlation with precipitation during the growing season, while no statistically significant values between radial growth and temperature were obtained. This study demonstrates that Norway spruce is affected more by precipitation than temperature, and the results indicate that this conifer is seriously affected by the lack of precipitation at lower altitudes in the Czech Republic, where the species is not native. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]