Deadwood accumulation in deciduous dominated forests

Abstract

Deadwood is important structural element of forest ecosystem. The amount of deadwood started significantly to decrease in Lithuanian forest due to intensification of forestry. During the last year high problematics creates deadwood demand for energetic purposes. Protection of deadwood is one of mostly important modern challenges as it valuable stock as well as the habitat for endangered deadwood related species. Under conservationists the volumes of deadwood are far away from desired. The aim of study to evaluate cumulated amounts of deadwood in premature and mature deciduous dominated forests with different management status: intensive management, recently converted to conservation status and stands with long conservation history. The study performed in Bukta forest, that represent complex of described above conservation scenarios. The deadwood and stand was evaluated in systematically selected by GIS methods circle study plots with 500 m² area. Total evaluated area exceeds 3500 ha and study design consist of 261 study plots. During the analysis we evaluate landscape level factor effect (e.g. edge effect) on deadwood accumulation. The results shows different deadwood amounts due to different management scenarios and landscape.