engleski

Role of coppice forests in maintaining forest biodiversity

Tis contribution gives an overview about forest diversity of coppice forests in general and describes the plant species richness, stand structure and protection status by means of examples from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia and Macedonia. Tere is a trend of decreasing tree species richness observed in coppice forests in several countries in Central and South Eastern Europe, which is considered as one of the main shortcomings of this management approach, both historically as well as in recent years. On the other hand coppice forest management can maintain and improve the characteristic habitats and levels of forest diversity. In this context the overall conversion of coppice forests to high forests and/or the strict protection of sites could lead to a loss of forest diversity in the long run. Te authors conclude that there is still lack of information and knowledge regarding the importance of coppice forests in maintaining forest diversity at various levels.

conservation management; conversion; coppice forests; natura 2000; species richness

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