Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: G. Debnárová Author-Workplace-Name: Centre of the Control of Forest Reproduction Material Liptovský Hrádok, National Forest Centre Zvolen, Slovakia Author-Name: Ľ. Šmelková Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia Title: Seasonal fluctuation in germination of short and long-term stored Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) seeds Abstract: Routine laboratory testing is done throughout the year to determine the quality of forest seeds. This raises the question of how the results are affected by possible seasonal effects on germination energy and germination capacity of seeds. To answer this question, fluctuations in germination energy (GE) and germination capacity (GC) of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) seed was determined throughout the year. The test seeds had been stored for either a short time (2 months and 1 year) or a long time (12 and 13 years). Seed testing was done according to ISTA rules two times (in the first year T1 and the second year T2) in each month during a year. Ten seed lots from five Norway spruce seed zones in Slovakia were used for each treatment. Obtained data were processed by analysis of covariance (independent factors - T and months, covariate - altitude of seed origin). The monthly germination indicators were compared to annual average (using absolute differences and relative seasonal indexes). The results showed that GE and GC of short-term stored seeds were 59% and 92%, and 35% and 81% for long-term stored seeds. Compared to the annual average, the monthly germination indicators fluctuated very differently: for GE three times more than for GC, for long-term stored seeds 2-3 times more than for short-term stored seeds. For GE, significant deviations were found in six months during a year (in the range 11-23%), for both variants of seed storage. In contrast, for GC values such deviations were confirmed only for short-term stored seeds in February and March, but the differences (-2%) were very small and can be neglected. For use in forestry practice, three methods that eliminate existing seasonal fluctuations are proposed. Seasonal indexes seem promising since they enable converting the observed germination indicators at any one time to a value characterising the entire year average (formula 3). Keywords: Picea abies [L.] Karst., short-term stored seed, long-term stored seed, germination energy, germination capacity, seasonal fluctuation Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 389-397 Volume: 54 Issue: 9 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/4/2008-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/4/2008-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-200809-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:54:y:2008:i:9:id:4-2008-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: D. Dobrowolska Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forest Ecology and Wildlife Management, Forest Research Institute, Raszyn, Sękocin Stary, Poland Title: Growth and development of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) regeneration and restoration of the species in the Karkonosze Mountains Abstract: The main task of the study was to investigate the growth conditions of silver fir natural regeneration in the Karkonosze Mts. (Poland). The paper examines the quantity and quality of light reaching the forest floor in stands of different canopies. The aim of the study was also to define the optimal site conditions for silver fir planting under stand canopy. Data on the natural regeneration and stand structure of each investigated stand were collected on circular plots in a grid of 15 × 15 m in 1999 and 2000. Biometric measurements of fir plants planted under various stand canopies were done three times (May 1999, autumn 2000 and 2001). It was found that the fir was not a dominant tree in all size classes from seedlings to saplings. Seedlings (both phases) of spruce, beech, sycamore and rowan occurred in all studied stands. The optimal conditions for fir development were found under larch canopy. That was demonstrated by the highest increment of height, diameter and offshoots. The worst conditions for fir growth were under beech and spruce canopy, which was indicated by the lowest diameter and height. The highest PAR was recorded under pine canopy, whereas the lowest one under beech canopy. Beech stand induced a lower R:FR ratio than the other tree species both on sunny and cloudy days. The highest R:FR ratio was found under the canopy of larch and pine stands. Keywords: natural regeneration, planting, light, biometric measurements Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 398-408 Volume: 54 Issue: 9 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/29/2008-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/29/2008-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-200809-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:54:y:2008:i:9:id:29-2008-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Nawrot Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forest Utilization, University of Life Sciences in Poznań, Poznań, Poland Author-Name: W. Pazdrowski Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forest Utilization, University of Life Sciences in Poznań, Poznań, Poland Author-Name: M. Szymański Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forest Utilization, University of Life Sciences in Poznań, Poznań, Poland Title: Dynamics of heartwood formation and axial and radial distribution of sapwood and heartwood in stems of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) Abstract: The study was an attempt to determine the dynamics of heartwood formation and the radial and axial distribution of sapwood and heartwood in stems of European larch (Larix deciduas Mill.) representing the dominant stand according to Kraft. Correlations were found between the rate of heartwood formation and the social class of tree position in the stand, the age of trees, forest site type and height of trees. Moreover, radial and axial variation was observed in the distribution of analyzed wood zones depending on the height of measurement, the age of cambium and the dimensions of the analyzed tree. Results were analyzed statistically, which facilitated an assessment of the relation between the dynamics of heartwood formation and age, the social class of tree position in the community as well as dimensions, i.e. the thickness of the sapwood ring and the radius of heartwood cylinder. The greatest strength of the relation was determined between the ray of the heartwood and the stem radius (R2 = 0.98), with cambium age and number of heartwood rings (R2 = 0.93). A much smaller relation was determined between the width of the sapwood ring and the stem radius (R2 = 0.13). Keywords: sapwood, heartwood, dynamics of heartwood formation, social class of tree position, European larch Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 409-417 Volume: 54 Issue: 9 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/30/2008-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/30/2008-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-200809-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:54:y:2008:i:9:id:30-2008-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: V. Gryc Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: H. Vavrčík Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Š. Gomola Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Selected properties of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Abstract: The paper deals with the variability of tree-ring width, with the density and swelling (volumetric swelling and swelling in individual anatomical directions) of wood from two different locations. Further, the variability of the explored properties along the stem radius is researched. The ring analyses show that the ring width decreases along the stem radius from the pith to the stem outer perimeter. Location 2 (a lower altitudinal vegetation zone) had on average wider rings (a statistically insignificant difference), higher density and higher volumetric swelling of wood in comparison with location 1 (a statistically significant difference). The relation between volumetric swelling and wood density has been confirmed. The results show that the wood density and its volumetric swelling change along the stem radius. With the increasing wood density the volumetric swelling also increases. The average density of beech wood from both locations is 752 kg/m3 with moisture content of 12%. Keywords: beech wood, ring width, density, swelling Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 418-425 Volume: 54 Issue: 9 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/59/2008-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/59/2008-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-200809-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:54:y:2008:i:9:id:59-2008-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: I. Machar Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Palacký University in Olomouc, Czech Republic Title: Historical development of floodplain forests in the Upper Moravian Vale (Vrapač National Nature Reserve, Czech Republic) Abstract: The paper deals with historical development of floodplain forests in the area of Vrapač National Nature Reserve in the floodplain of the Morava River (Protected Landscape Area Litovelské Pomoraví, Czech Republic). The aim of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the anthropogenic influences that have over centuries led to the present state of floodplain forests in the study area. Thus, it will be possible to define more efficiently the management plan of this floodplain forest ecosystem. Keywords: floodplain forest, historical development of forests, coppice-with-standards, national nature reserve, forest management Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 426-437 Volume: 54 Issue: 9 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/46/2008-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/46/2008-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-200809-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:54:y:2008:i:9:id:46-2008-JFS