engleski

Ecophysiological disturbances of mycorrhiza caused by the application of forest operations in forest ecosystems – Review

Forest ecosystems are home to a variety of diverse organisms. These organisms require specific living conditions for their growth. One of the goals of forest management is to ensure the most favorable biological and ecological conditions for forest trees. However, forests have recently undergone extensive and numerous disturbances of biological and ecological balance (pests, changes in the natural composition of communities, weather disasters, pollution, etc). They all have a negative effect on the forest condition. One of the unfavourable effects on forests is generated by the use of forest operations. Direct and indirect adverse impacts of forest operations on forest trees and forest soil have been described in a number of papers. These impacts include tree damage and reduced tree growth, as well as compaction and degradation of forest soils. Moreover, forest operations have a negative effect on the ecological and physiological processes that are important for the development of forest trees. One of the most important ecological and physiological interactions between forest trees is symbiosis. It is predominantly developed throughout the upper layers of forest soils, at the root of most forest trees, and is therefore extremely vulnerable to forest operations. The most common form of symbiosis on forest trees is mycorrhiza, which has been established on over 2000 plant symbionts. The majority of commercial tree species in Croatia form ectomycorrhiza. There has been very little research into ecophysiological disturbances of mycorrhiza as the consequence of forest operations. The paper presents research into mycorrhiza development under unfavorable environmental conditions, with an emphasis on disturbances caused by the use of forest mechanization. Ecological, ecophysiological, economic and organizational aspects of the use of mechanization in forest ecosystems are discussed, and suggestions are given for future research. Special focus is placed on the estimate of damage and degradation of forest soils and disturbances in the development of forest trees and mycorrhizae due to forest operations in forests. Opportunities for the development and implementation of long- term sustainable management plans for forests with minimal adverse impacts on forest ecosystems are presented.

forest ecosystems; forest operations; mycorrhiza; ecophysiological disturbances; forest ecosystem management

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