Natural Regeneration Of Norway Spruce In Mountain Forests: Effect Of Log Features On Seedling Establishment

We studied the spruce seedlings and saplings density (SSD) on logs in relation to: decay of logs, diameter, ground contact, origin, species of wood-decaying fungi, coverage by surrounding plants and maximum of spike penetration in the subalpine old-growth forests of Bohemian Forest and Ash Mts., Czech Republic. The SDD was on average 0.9, 5.5, 7.8 and 6.9 m-2 on decay stage 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively, and its distribution was over-dispersed with many zero and low values inside all decay stages examined The maximum of spike penetration, ground contact, Phellinus nigrolimitatus presence, Armillaria spp. present, diameter, wind uprooting and rot root cause of death was positively related to SDD on 2 and 3 decay stages. On the other hand, Fomitopsis pinicola presence, tree death as a result of bark beetle and competition was negatively related to SDD on 2 and 3 decay stages. The SDD was negatively related by coverage of surrounding plants and brown rot type on 4 and 5 decay stages. We suggest that the large logs originated after wind uprooting or rot root infection are the most appropriate for retaining in managed forest to support natural regeneration.