Relation of dead wood course within the development cycle of selected virgin forests in Slovakia

Abstract

Following measurements of dead wood (20 to 40 years) at various developmental stages of the life cycle of selected virgin forests of the 1st to 7th altitudinal zone the relation of its course was derived. The dynamics and course of dead wood in the life cycle of virgin forests were best represented by a polynomial of the third degree. An analysis confirmed that virgin forests consisting of stable tree species with approximately the same physical age (Boky) showed small differences between maximal increase and decrease in necromass during the whole development cycle. Virgin forests at sites rich in nutrients consisting of several tree species with various physical age had high values of necromass during their whole development cycle. Spruce stands at the upper forest boundary also had a relatively high ratio of necromass at the advanced optimum stage.

Keywords

• dead wood
• development cycle
• virgin forest
• developmental stages