Determining density and moisture content of the European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) coarse woody debris from the secondary virgin forest Rajhenavski Rog

Abstract

Measuring density of wood samples with mercury volumemeter is a standard throughout the world. To find out the reliability of another less toxic density measuring technique, samples were measured in a mercury medium and in a water medium as well. This study is a revision of the previously published results (Finžgar et al., 2013), since the determination of decay phases was questionable and correct results are presented here. New data is also presented herewith. For water measurements, the MSA 323S scale (Sartorius, Germany) with YDK01 Density Determination Kit (Sartorius, Germany) was used for the first time in our labs. We measured density of coarse woody debris from the secondary virgin forest reserve Rajhenavski Rog, Slovenia. Results of the two methods employed were not comparable due to different density definitions. Also, lower densities in higher decay phases were not detected, although expected. Nevertheless, the scale MSA 323S proved to be a reliable method of measuring wood sample density in water. However, some optimizations will have to be considered in the future.