Forest gaps effect on ground vegetation and forest regeneration in the Vištytgiris botanical-zoological reserve

Abstract

Aiming to assess the effect of microclimate on vegetation in forest gaps and to determine the changes of woody and ground vegetation in the gaps of different size the study was carried out in Vištytgiris botanical-zoological reserve in 2013.After the assessment of the woody vegetation, projection coverage of ground vegetation, soil temperature, moisture and soil pH, also solar radiation, the peculiarities of woody vegetation in forest gaps of different size were evaluated and the causing microclimatic factors were distinguished. Six naturally regenerated species were determined in small forest gaps, seven species - in medium-sized forest gaps and five species – in large forest gaps. Low-light demanding tree species were dominated in small gaps, low-light demanding species and requiring more light were mostly frequent in the medium-sized gaps, and more light and higher temperature demanding species were dominated in large gaps. The highest amounts of herbaceous species were found in the large forest gaps. The highest total radiation was recorded in large plots. The highest soil temperature and the lowest moisture content were found in small gaps, and the lowest soil temperature and the highest soil moisture content was - in the medium-sized gaps. The obtained findings showed that the most optimal conditions for self-regeneration of the forest were in the medium-sized forest gaps in Vištytgiris botanicalzoological reserve.