Open AccessStructure and dynamics of a 215-years old broadleaved forest stand recently installed as a total forest reserve
Author(s) -
K Van Den Berge,
Peter Roskams,
Alex Verlinden,
Paul Quataert,
Bart Muys,
Danny Maddelein,
J Zwaenepoel
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
sylva gandavensis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0587-1476
DOI - 10.21825/sg.v55i0.905
Subject(s) - forest structure , canopy , nature reserve , forestry , stand development , geography , forest ecology , regeneration (biology) , forest regeneration , forest dynamics , ecology , environmental science , agroforestry , ecosystem , archaeology , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Since 1983, a 215-years old broadleaved stand in the state owned Zoniën Forest (Belgium, Flanders) has been withdrawn from all silvicultural treatments. Thanks to the completely reviewed forest law in Flanders of 1990, the stand is now officially installed as a total forest reserve. The present contribution gives an overview of the principal site characteristics, and then focuses on the woody component of the ecosystem. Stand structure analysis starts from the situation of 1986, i.e. dating from before the spring tempests of 1990. Subsequently, the impact of those gale forces is evaluated as a driving factor in forest dynamics. In this particular stand, it was found that an abrupt change-over took place from the regeneration phase to a real decaying phase, resulting in a mosaic pattern with remnants of the old stand, consolidated regeneration, canopy gaps and windfall areas of different size.