Implementation of innovative forest regeneration procedures on large-scale clearings with regard to the support of biodiversity and increasing the functionality of forest ecosystems
The project is supported by Norway grants and the State Environmental Fund of the Czech Republic
The extreme drought in recent years and the associated outbreak of bark beetles has led to a dramatic increase in sanitary felling and the creation of extensive clearings. Czech forestry has thus found itself in an unprecedented situation, where it is necessary to establish new forest stands resistant to the predicted climate changes and at the same time fulfil all ecosystem and economic functions. The knowledge schemes used so far are hardly applicable under these circumstances.
The current total extent of clearings presents us with a fundamental question of whether to choose the traditional one-phase procedure of artificial and natural restoration with a relatively high risk of problems with their stability in the future, or to use “new” methods of restoration. The results of forestry research from recent years clearly recommend the second path. However, alternative procedures based on the use of a wide range of tree species and the choice of multi-phase restoration place increased demands on the precise planning of successive steps and also on the actual implementation of the proposed measures.
Aim and purpose of the project
The aim of the project is the forest restoration on large-scale calamity clearings using alternative procedures that will lead to higher biodiversity and improved status of forest ecosystems. The result of the implementation will serve as an example of good practice for other owners of forests affected by bark beetle outbreak.
Measures to support biodiversity will include the use of two-phase regeneration to foster species, age and spatial diversity of emerging stands; a combination of natural regeneration and artificial afforestation to achieve more diverse species mixtures; consistent support for the presence of mother trees; leaving part of dead wood (logging residues and whole trunks) in the forest for spontaneous colonization by other organisms; selection and preservation of habitat trees.
In addition, the project will also include a proposal for the establishment of advanced restoration elements (gaps) in adjacent mature spruce monocultures, whose existence is acutely threatened not only by the further spread of bark beetles, but also by abiotic factors, especially wind.
As part of the proposed measures, efforts will be made to support the retention function of the forest through the care of naturally wet areas.
Place of project implementation
The project is implemented on the forest property of the Forest Cooperative of Municipalities (FCM) Přibyslav, which is located in the area of the Czech-Moravian Highlands (Vysočina Region) affected by the large-scale decline of spruce stands due to the gradation of bark beetles in recent years. The restored clearings are located in the forest districts Račín and Nové Veselí.
Project schedule
Project duration 4/13/2022-4/30/2024.
Activity / Implementation date
- Selection of clearings / March 2022
- Initial promotion of the project / March-June 2022
- Mapping of site conditions / March-July 2022
- Assessment of biodiversity parameters / March-December 2022
- Proposal of forest restoration procedures / July-August 2022
- Implementation of measures / September 2022-November 2023
- Educational event for schools / May-June 2023
- Two articles in the local journals / August-December 2023
- Preparation of a management plan of restored areas and habitat trees / December 2023-February 2024
- Elaboration of the sustainability plan / January-February 2024
- Final seminar / March 2024
Planned output
- Realized example of good practice showing the restoration procedure using pioneer tree species (e.g. birch, aspen) and their subsequent underplanting (two-phase restoration)
- Realized example of good practice showing a restoration procedure using combined regeneration, i.e. establishing a mixture of different preparatory and target tree species
- A realized example of good practice showing a restoration procedure with advanced restoration elements (gaps) in adjacent mature spruce stands threatened by biotic (e.g. bark beetle) and abiotic (e.g. drought, wind) factors in the future
- Map output from the initial investigation of site conditions
- Expert report on biodiversity survey and habitat tree inventory
- Active promotion of alternative forest restoration procedures among experts and the lay public
