Projects / Programmes
Research of forest site productivity in Slovenia
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 4.01.01 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Forest - forestry |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B430 |
Biomedical sciences |
Sylviculture, forestry, forestry technology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 4.01 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
Site productivity, forest site, methods for site productivity estimation, spatial model, Slovenia
Researchers (5)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
10801 |
PhD Andrej Bončina |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Head |
2011 - 2013 |
0 |
| 2. |
08376 |
PhD Igor Dakskobler |
Biology |
Researcher |
2011 - 2013 |
0 |
| 3. |
27615 |
PhD Andrej Ficko |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Technical associate |
2011 - 2013 |
0 |
| 4. |
20035 |
PhD Aleš Kadunc |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Researcher |
2011 - 2013 |
0 |
| 5. |
25666 |
PhD Aleš Poljanec |
Forestry, wood and paper technology |
Researcher |
2011 - 2013 |
0 |
Organisations (2)
Abstract
In Slovenia, the inventory of forest site productivity has not been finished yet, although these knowledge represents an important basis for forest ecosystem management. There are several approaches in forest site productivity research. The applicability depends mainly on structural and compositional characteristics of forest stands. In most of Slovenian forests, the use of site index at different reference forest stand ages represents the most applicable method for the assesment of the productivity. The project proposal comprises five parts: (1) additional research on forest site productivity in certain sites (2) the synthesis of forest site productivity research, (3) the assessment and the completion of different methodological approaches in forest site productivity research, (4) setting the guidelines for the establishment of spatial model of site productivity determination, and (5) the proposal for the methodology for completion of forest site productivity database in Slovenia. On sites, where the productivity has not been determined yet, will be apply the site index (SI) method. The reference ages of forest stands (100, 50, or 20 years) used for the determination of SI will differ in regard to forest sites. On selected sites, site productivity analyses and increment analyses will be supplemented by phytosociological analyses. Ellenberg’s phytoindication values of releve plants will be tested as alternative method for the determination of forest site productivity. The method will be compared to conventional method of SI. On the basis of existent research on forest site productivity of selected site strata and available databases, we will analyse the relations between the site productivity measured with site indices and increments of forest stands. The relations between Ellenberg’s phytoindication values of plant species, other possible measures and site indices will also be checked on selected sites. We will employ GIS systems and multivariable statistical methods. With the consideration of existent knowledge of site productivity and our additional research on the possibilities of use of other methodological approaches, we will prepare the guidelines for the establishment of spatial model of site productivity evaluation. We will propose the framework for the finalisation of fundamental research on site productivity. The results shall contribute to fundamental knowledge of forest ecosystems, to forest management planning and spatial planning, will provide up-dated evaluation of production potentials of woodland, which will be important for forest valuation. The project will provide up-dated data for the calculations of possible carbon sink in forest ecosystems.
Significance for science
The project improved the gaps in knowing the forest site productivity to a large extent. Understudied or unstudied remain just the following forest site types : Dinaric dwarf pines ( 3,267 ha ; virtually no production of wood)8cm overbark) , submediterannean submontane calcareous beech forests ( 2,238 ha) , submediterranean mountain beech forests ( 1,905 ha) , pre-alpine spruce on moraines and lateral rubble ( 975 ha) , sessile oak forests with Common Cotton-grass ash ( 644 ha) , prealpine- alpine subalpine beech forests( 620 ha) , bushland willow ( 314 ha) , bogs ( virtually no production ; 162 ha) , and some other minor sites . It follows that there are only few areas that remained unstudied. Most of these sites cannot be analyzed by conventional techniques. In addition, the question remains how to determine the site productivity of alohtone species (e.g. black locust ) and large-scale plantation species widely used outside their natural distribution range . In this respect remains insufficiently studied the black pine (Primorska region) . We believe that under- researched area and understudied tree species can be investigated by the method used in the last 30 years (the site index (SI) method) .
Significance for the country
Forests in Slovenia covers more than 60% of the surface. In addition to numerous non-productive functions timber production remains the most important function. Before the use of its potentials we need to know the forest site productivity. Reliable understanding of the potentials significantly contributes to the forecasts and the possibility of increasing renewable energy potentials to enhance the economic growth with job creation in forestry and increase the opportunities for self-employment. Knowing site productivity also gives a more accurate assessment of the possibilities of CO2 sinks at the national level, thereby contributing to national environmental policy.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
