The poster documents the changes in forest ecosystems of the Orlické hory mountain range (NE Bohemia, Czech Republic). This region was heavily affected by human activities in the last centuries. The anthropic influences on forests manifested themselves as settlement effects, tree species change, harvest, road construction and game management effects. The immission load, soil destruction by heavy machinery and erosion contributed also to the forest ecosystem degradation recent years.
The tree species change of formerly predominant beech stands with fir, spruce and maple tree admixture into spruce monocultures of allochthonous origin is documented since the last century on the example of one forest district. Further, the herb layer dynamics is registered since 1951 and forest soil changes since 1959. The precipitation amount and chemistry on different localities (needle and broadleaved tree stands, clearcut) is followed since 1987. Results confirm profound changes of particular forest ecosystem compartments. On this basis, the counteracting treatments, like broadleaved trees reintroduction and site corresponding amelioration, are proposed.
Key words: forest decline, ecosystem degradation, tree species change, herb layer dynamics, forest soil change.
Correspondence: Václav Mares, Forest and Game Management Research Institute, Research Station Opocno, CZ-517 73 Opocno, Czech Republic
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