CAN WE IDENTIFY MANNA ASH (FRAXINUS ORNUS L.) 'SMART FORESTS' IN BANATULUI MOUNTAINS?

Smart forests can be identified based on forest management plans if 15 stand, landscape or stational characteristics are taken into account. A total number of 34 smart stands were identified after these characteristics were graded based on the studied area and the manna ash’s ecological requests. These stands are located in Dognecei, Aninei and Locvei Mountains, at altitudes between 225 m and 780 m, on South expositions and on fields with inclinations between 7° and 50°. These forests have relatively young ages (specific to manna ash) even though the presence of forests with extremely old ages was also identified. They belong to some stands located in strict conservation areas such as national parks (very well represented in Banatului Mountains) or in production areas. The characteristic soils are eutric cambisol or rendzic leptosol, while hill common beech stands are located on skeletal or chalky soils. Knowing the characteristics of smart manna ash forests is useful for conserving and promoting them.