Disturbance-induced changes in the plant biomass in forests near Plešné and Čertovo Lakes

Abstract

Two forested catchments in the Bohemian Forest (Šumava Mts.) were investigated according to the species composition of herb layer and aboveground plant biomass. The bark-beetle gradation was observed in the Plešné Lake catchment during this study. The community dynamics depends mainly on the altitudinal zone of the site. Variability in the species composition was more pronounced in the sites of natural broadleaved mixed forests than in the sites of natural Norway spruce forests. Three processes were recorded after the tree layer damage: Tree regeneration (very rapid), appearance of some species typical of the clear-cuts (only limited, mainly after windthrows) and disappearance of some species (limited, probably for a short time only). The aboveground biomass was variable. Some relations to the canopy decline were observed for Vaccinium myrtillus. The stock changes depend on the population features of this species and can differ (increase or decrease) according to individual localities.