Joining of the historical research and future prediction as a support tool for the assessment of management strategy for European beech-dominated forests in protected areas

• Published in: Nature Conservation Vol. 22; no. 22; pp. 51 - 78
• Main Authors: Machar, Ivo, Vozenilek, Vit, Simon, Jaroslav, Pechanec, Vilém, Brus, Jan, Fulnecek, Petr, Vitek, Tomas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sofia Pensoft Publishers 03.10.2017
• Subjects: Beeches; Biodiversity; Distribution; Ecosystem assessment; Ecosystems; Fagus sylvatica; Forecasts and trends; Forest management; Forests; Mountains; Protected areas; Protection and preservation; Terrestrial ecosystems
• ISSN: 1314-6947; 1314-3301
• DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.22.12902

European beech-dominated forests are crucial for maintaining biodiversity in forested mountain landscapes of the European temperate zone. This paper presents the results of research and assessment of management strategy for mountain beech-dominated forests in the Jeseníky Mountains (Czech Republic). Our approach is based on combining research on historical development of the forest ecosystem, assessment of its current state, and predictions of future dynamics using a forest growth simulation model. Using such a method makes it possible to understand the current state of the mountain beech-dominated forest ecosystem and predict its future development as a response to specific management strategies. The application of this method is therefore appropriate for assessing the suitability of selected management strategies in mountain protected areas. Our results show that a non-intervention management for mountain beech forest in the next 80 years complies with the Natura 2000 requirement to maintain the existing character of the forest habitat. Thus, the current management plan for the beech-dominated forests in the Jeseníky Mountains does not require significant corrections in the context of its conservation targets (i.e. maintaining biodiversity and current character of the forest ecosystem dominated by beech). The results of this study suggest that combining the knowledge on historical development with forest growth simulation can be used as a suitable support tool to assess management strategies for forest habitats in protected areas. Keywords: Beech-dominated forest, biodiversity, forest history, forest management plan, growth simulation model, Natura 2000