engleski

IMPACT OF THE ACTUAL STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE PEDUNCULATE OAK FORESTS IN EASTERN CROATIA

Spatial distribution and status of forest resources are based on national forest inventory data and their stratifications on eastern Croatia’s five counties and according to forest types and age classes within the pedunculate oak forests. The projection of the spatiotemporal oak forest development was conducted using the computer program SIMPLAG. The initial data was taken from Croatian Forests Ltd. and the development projection included structure of 6.538 stands covering. Starting from the actual status, the development of pedunculate oak forest was based on the intensity and spatiotemporal dynamics of stand regeneration. According to various quantity of forest regeneration associated with the development of the age structure of forests (forest area, area of last age class, area of last two age classes, area of stands older than rotation half), but also with different models of stand regeneration success (optimal, realistic), scenarios of the future management and development of forests are defined. Selection of stands for the regeneration within a 10-year felling cut area is based on the stands ranking according to regeneration priority regarding to the potential rent’s difference. The potential rent is a consequence of a decision on the implementation or regeneration delay of potentially mature pedunculate oak stand. In eastern Croatia pedunculate oak forest cover an area of about 129.000 ha (33.6% of the total forest area) with a growing stock of 44.158.000 m3 (37.3%). Area of floodplain forests of pedunculate oak is about 56.200 ha, while the mixed oak and hornbeam forests are more prevalent (72.700 ha). The age-class distribution in both forest types is characterized by large area of stands in fifth age class. Extremely low density of pedunculate oak trees in young stands as well in those older than 100 years are indicators of past management and guidelines for future management requirements. Actual state, but also the importance of pedunculate oak forests makes a particular challenge for future management planning expressed by determination of amount and felling cut area distribution. According to the results of this research, 10-year gross revenues of about 4.4 billion Kuna may be supported by management approach according to which the spatiotemporal dynamics and intensity of forest regeneration are based on the area dynamics of stands older than 100 years and also, with respecting several objective criteria (economic, structural and habitat features stands). This approach stands out as the most acceptable in the sense of sustainable forest management.

pedunculate oak; forest age structure; stocking; rent; stand regeneration planning

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