Compositional Development of Deciduous Forests From Non-Forest Precursors In Northern Belgium: Evidence From Historical Ecology

Abstract

Vegetational composition of ancient (pre-1800) and recent (post-1800) forests has been analysed using 640 plots distributed over 183 woods in Flanders. Thirty five vegetation types have been identified. Particularly in birch-oak and ash-alder forests, marked compositional differences between ancient and recent forests have been found. They are related to the colonisation capacity (mainly dispersal, but also reproductive capacity and recruitement) of the woodland species. A tentative list of ancient woodland species of western Europe is presented. Most of these specis are myrmecochores, auto- and barochores (short distance dispersors). The consequences for the restoration and the development of forests are briefly discussed. Historical ecology enables us to assess the impact of former land use on the present forest and to evaluate the significance of colonization of woodland species