Nutrition of silver fir (Abies alba Mill) growing at the upper limit of its occurrence in the Šumava National Park and Protected Landscape Area

Abstract

In the second half of 20th century silver fir regeneration has been observed throughout all of the Europe, including the Czech Republic. The Bohemian Forest - Šumava Mts. is one of the regions where the silver fir percentage in forest stands is supposed to be increased from the present 2% to nearly 12%. During the period 2006-2007, in the Czech part of the Bohemian Forest, samples of silver fir were taken mainly in the upper altitudinal limit of silver fir occurrence. In the present paper the results of performed analyses are compared with similar surveys conducted in the other European regions. Samples from the Bohemian Forest, in contrast to other results, differ in higher phosphorus content and lower contents of calcium and manganese. Nitrogen content is slightly higher. Our values for the other elements (magnesium, potassium, zinc, sulphur) are comparable to those reported in Poland and Slovakia. In Germany, aside from the above mentioned differences, higher magnesium content was also found within the locality sampled.

Keywords

• abies alba
• silver fir nutrition
• šumava national park and protected landscape area
• upper limit of occurrence