The assessment of vegetation in unmanaged nemoral forests in Zemgale

Abstract

Zemgale geobotanical region historically was dominated by large broad-leaved forests, but last centuries the high anthropogenic pressure on these territories has reduced the area of these forests. In fragmented landscape small patches of natural broad-leaf forests are protected to preserve the forest structural features, which also function as habitats for rare and protected species. The aim of this study was to compare the natural broad-leaf forest habitats and structural elements and vegetation in woodland key habitats in production forests and protected areas (nature park 'Te¯rvete' and nature reserve 'Ukru ga¯rsˇa') in Zemgale. In total, 12 sample plots were established (the size of sample plot 0.1 ha) in Aegopodiosa forest type. In all sample plots forest structural features were measured and vegetation survey using Braun-Blanquet method was made. In this study, we found that average amount of dead wood varies between 78.7 m3 ha-1 in woodland key habitats in production forests and 133.0 m3 ha-1 special protected areas. Considerable amount of broad-leaf natural forests represented by nemoral species (50-58% of species richness), which corresponds to these forest type communities in the region.