Precipitation regime in selected gaps and mature stands of Dinaric silver fir-beech forest

Količina, oblika in časovna razporeditev padavin so izrednega pomena za gozdneekosisteme, saj pomembno vplivajo na preskrbo z vodo, kroženje hranil indinamiko ogljika v ekosistemu. Namen naše raziskave je bil analizirati padavinski režim v dveh sestojih in vrzelih različne velikosti v dinarskem jelovo-bukovem pragozdnem rezervatu Rajhenavski Rog ter v gospodarskem sonaravnem gozdu Snežna jama. V vegetacijskem obdobju v letih 2003 in 2004 smospremljali prepuščene padavine in odtok po deblu v vrzelih in sestojih, padavine na prostem pa v letih od 2001 do 2007. Meritve padavin v gozdni krajini so redke, čeprav so pomemben vhodni podatek za modeliranje procesov v gozdnih ekosistemih. Uporaba meritev z najbližjih meteoroloških postaj je zaradi njihove oddaljenosti vprašljiva, zato smo dnevne in mesečne količine padavin na prostem primerjali z vrednostmi za klimatološko postajo Kočevje ter EMEP-postajo Iskrba pri Kočevski Reki.The precipitation amount, form and timing are of particular importance to forest ecosystems. They have a significant impact on water supply, nutrient cycling and dynamics of carbon in the ecosystem. In our study, the precipitation regime of the selected forest stands and gaps in the Snežna jamamanaged forest and in the Rajhenavski Rog virgin forest remnant has been determined. During the 2003 and 2004 growing seasons, throughfall and stemflowwere recorded in the gaps and forest stands. In the years 2001 till 2007, monthly precipitation in the open was measured. Precipitation measurements are rarely performed in forested landscapes, although they constitute an important input variable for process modelling in forest ecosystems. Substitution with measurements from the closest meteorological station is, due to their distance, questionable. Therefore we compared the measured precipitation in the open to daily and monthly precipitation at the Climatological Station Kočevje and EMEP Iskrba Station at Kočevska Reka

Phenological development of fagus sylvatica L. and Aesculus hipocastanum L. in relation to mean monthly temperatures for the Kočevje locality during 1961-1990

Long-term phenological development of forest trees and shrubs is an important indicator of changes in the onset of specific phenological phase at different sites in relation to meteorological conditions. Correlation analysis and linear multiple regression were used to establish relationship between phenological phases for Fagus sylvatica and Aesculus hippocastanum and mean monthly air temperatures for the Kočevje locality in the period 1961-1990. Correlation coefficients between the onset of phenological phases with air temperature of the previous 2-3 months were relatively high. For Fagus sylvatica, the highest variability was explained with phenological model for the beginning of leaf colouring (58 %) with first independent variable mean monthly temperature for the months of February, April and May and as second independent variable mean monthly temperature for the months of July, August and September. For Aesculus hippocastanum, the highest variability was explained with phenological model for the beginning of flowering (65 %) with first independent variable mean monthly temperature for the months of April and May and as second independent variable mean monthly temperature for the months of January, February and March. In general, the beginning of leaf colouring in Fagus sylvatica is a good indicator of temperature characteristics of the site

Phenological development of fagus sylvatica L. and Aesculus hipocastanum L. in relation to mean monthly temperatures for the Kočevje locality during 1961-1990

Analiza nastopa fenoloških faz gozdnega drevja in grmovja v dolgem časovnem nizu nam pojasnjuje odvisnost med časom pojavljanja določene fenofaze ter meteorološkimi razmerami. Na lokaciji Kočevje smo ugotavljali korelacijo med nastopom fenofaz za bukev (Fagus sylvatica L.) ter navadni divji kostanj (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) ter povprečnimi eno-, dvo- in tromesečnimi temperaturami zraka za obdobje od leta 1961 do 1990. Korelacije so tesnejše, če uporabimo povprečja temperatur dveh ali treh zaporednih mesecev. Največji delež pojasnjene variabilnosti pri bukvi smo dosegli z modelom za napoved začetka rumenenja listja (58 %). Kot prva pojasnjevalna spremenljivka se pojavlja povprečna temperatura v mesecih februarju, marcu in aprilu, kot drugapa povprečna temperatura mesecev julija, avgusta in septembra. Pri navadnem divjem kostanju smo največji delež pojasnjene variabilnosti dosegli zmodelom za napoved začetka splošnega cvetenja (65 %), na katero najbolj vplivajo povprečne temperature mesecev aprila in maja ter mesecev januarja, februarja in marca. Na splošno je začetek rumenenja listja pri bukvi dober kazalec temperaturnih razmer rastišča.Long-term phenological development of forest trees and shrubs is an important indicator of changes in the onset of specific phenological phase at different sites in relation to meteorological conditions. Correlation analysis and linear multiple regression were used to establish relationship between phenological phases for Fagus sylvatica and Aesculus hippocastanum and mean monthly air temperatures for the Kočevje locality in the period 1961-1990. Correlation coefficients between the onset of phenological phases with air temperature of the previous 2-3 months were relatively high. For Fagus sylvatica, the highest variability was explained with phenological model for the beginning of leaf colouring (58 %) with first independent variable mean monthly temperature for the months of February, April and May and as second independent variable mean monthly temperature for the months of July, August and September. For Aesculus hippocastanum, the highest variability was explained with phenological model for the beginning of flowering (65 %) with first independent variable mean monthly temperature for the months of April and May and as second independent variable mean monthly temperature for the months of January, February and March. In general, the beginning of leaf colouring in Fagus sylvatica is a good indicator of temperature characteristics of the site

Phenological phases of trees on the intensive forest monitoring plots in Slovenia

Preučevanje razvojnih faz gozdnega drevja v dolgem časovnem nizu je vse pomembnejše orodje za ugotavljanje medsebojne odvisnosti vremenskih spremenljivk in z njimi povezanih bioloških odzivov. V naši raziskavi smo analizirali nastop fenofaz prvih listov in iglic ter splošnega rumenenja listja za listavce na 11 ploskvah intenzivnega monitoringa gozdnih ekosistemov v Sloveniji v letih od 2004 do 2011. Obravnavali smo fenofaze za dob (Quercus robur L.) na ploskvah Krakovski gozd in Murska šumabukev (Fagus sylvatica L.) na ploskvah Lontovž pod Kumom, Temenjak na Vinski gori, Borovec v Kočevski Reki, Fondek v Trnovskem gozdu, Gorica v Loškem Potokusmreko (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) na ploskvah Kladje na Pohorju in Krucmanove Konte na Pokljukirdeči bor (Pinus sylvestris L.) na ploskvi Brdo pri Kranjučrni bor (Pinus nigra Arnold) na ploskvi Gropajski Bori pri Sežani. V povprečju je fenofaza prvih iglic (BGS) smreke nastopila na 166 julijanski dan. Za rdeči bor je BGS nastopila na 128 julijanski dan, za črni bor pa 149. julijanski dan. Fenofaza prvih listov (BGS) je za bukev v povprečju nastopila na 128, za dob pa 117. julijanski dan. Splošno rumenenje listov (EGS) za bukevje v povprečju nastopilo na 297, za dob pa 308. julijanski dan. Dolžina vegetacijskega obdobja (LGS) doba je bila v povprečju 75 dni daljša kot za bukev. Ugotavljamo, da se je v obdobju od leta 2004 do 2011 nakazoval zgodnejši nastop fenofaze prvih iglic (BGS) smreke, rdečega bora ter črnega bora na vseh obravnavanih ploskvah. Zgodnejši nastop prvih listov (BGS) bukve in doba smo zaznali le na posameznih ploskvah, ne pa vseh. Kasnejši nastop splošnega rumenenja listov (EGS) za bukev smo zaznali le na dveh ploskvah (Borovec in Gorica), za dob pa smo ugotovili kasnejše pojavljanje EGS le na ploskvi Murska Šuma. Značilna je velika variabilnost dolžine vegetacijskega obdobja (LGS) za bukev in dob po letih. Daljšanje LGS za bukev je statistično značilno za tri ploskve (Fondek, Borovec in Gorica), za dob pa spremembe LGS v opazovanem obdobju niso bile statistično značilne.Study of developmental stages of forest trees in a long time series is of increasing importance for determination of interdependence between meteorological variables and the associated biological responses. In our study we analyzed the needle appearance and leaf unfolding of conifers and deciduous trees and the autumn colouring for broad-leaved tree species. We considered the phenological phases for oak (Quercus robur L.) in research plots Krakovski gozd and Murska šuma, beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in research plots Lontovž, Temenjak, Borovec, Fondek, Goricaspruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in research plots Kladje and Krucmanove KonteScotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in the research plot Brdo, black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) in the research plot Gropajski bori. On average, the needle appearance (BGS) of spruce started on the 166th Julian day. BGS of Scotch pine started on the 128th Julian Day, BGS of black pine on the 149th Julian day, respectively. The leaf unfolding (BGS) for beech started, on average, on the 128th Julian day and BGS for oak on the 117th Julian day, respectively. The autumn colouring(EGS) for beech, on average, started on the 297th Julian day, for oak on the 308th Julian day. It was assessed that BGS possibly commenced earlier for spruce, Scotch pine and black pine in all research plots during the 2004 to 2011 period. However, earlier BGS for beech and oak was noticed only in limited number of pots. Later EGS for beech could be confirmed in only two plots (Borovec in Gorica), whereas changes in EGS for oak were later only in plot Murska Šuma. There was a large variability of LGS for beech and oak over the years. Prolonged growing season (LGS) of beech was statistically significant for 3 plots (Fondek, Borovec in Gorica) during the 2004 to 2011 period. For oak prolonged LGS was not statistically significant during the observation period

Identification of Key Indicators for Drinking Water Protection Services in the Urban Forests of Ljubljana

Background and purpose: The importance of forest ecosystem services, related to provisioning of fresh water and water purification are of increasing importance, especially in urbanized areas. This study investigates key indicators for ecosystem services, related to drinking water protection, provided by urban and peri-urban forests. Materials and methods: Seven different monitoring programs, projects or directives, assessing water quality variables were analysed. We determined which indicators, describing the drinking water protection services in forest ecosystems, can be applied to urban forests. A list of core indicators sensitive to the specifics of the drinking water supply and urban forest ecosystems in Ljubljana were suggested. Results and conclusions: Analysis included over 86 potential indicators related to nutrient regulation, storage capacity and water purification in forest canopies, forest soils, surface streams, lakes and groundwater. Through scientific review and the application of “necessary” and “feasible” criteria to urban forests the number of indicators was reduced to 62. According to the specifics of drinking water supply and urban forest in Ljubljana 52 core indicators have been selected. Due to the influence of urbanization on water bodies, special emphasis should be given to indicators for storage capacity and water purification capacity of urban forest ecosystems for hazardous substances. This might increase the willingness of decision and policy makers to acknowledge the water protection capacity of urban forests

Vpliv vremenskih spremenljivk in osutosti krošenj na fenološke faze dreves na ploskvah intenzivnega monitoringa gozdnih ekosistemov v Sloveniji

Data from the forest monitoring programme in Slovenia were used to assess the relationship between tree phenology, crown defoliation and meteorological conditions in Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur and Picea abies forests in the 2004-2013 period. We hypothesized a species-specific response of first leaf unfolding, general leaf colouring, the length of the growing season to crown defoliation, air temperature, precipitation and soil water. In accordance with the hypothesis, we found a high sensitivity of first leaf unfolding to air temperature and precipitation for all species, exhibiting contrasting responses. We observed strong sensitivity of beech defoliation to precipitation and soil water conditions. Oak crown defoliation and next-year phenology were correlated, with higher crown defoliation contributing to earlier leaf unfolding, later autumn leaf colouring and longer growing season of oak in next year. Correlation between crown defoliation and phenology was found neither for beech nor spruce.V naši raziskavi smo na podlagi podatkov spremljanja stanja gozdnih ekosistemov v Sloveniji ugotavljali povezanost fenofaz dreves, osutosti krošenj dreves in vremenskih razmer v gozdovih bukve, doba in smreke v letih 2004-2013. Predpostavili smo, da je odziv fenofaz prvih listov in iglic, splošnega rumenenja listja in dolžine vegetacijskega obdobja na osutost krošenj, temperaturo zraka, padavine in vsebnost vode v tleh vrstno specifičen. Ugotovili smo veliko odzivnost nastopa fenofaze prvih listov in iglic na temperaturo zraka in padavine za vse obravnavane drevesne vrste, vendar so se odzivi razlikovali. Ugotovili smo tudi veliko odzivnost osutosti krošnje bukve na količino padavin in vsebnost vode v tleh. Osutost krošenj in fenofaze doba v sledečem letu so bile korelirane, pri čemer je večja osutost krošenj prispevala k zgodnejšemu nastopu fenofaze prvih listov, splošnega rumenenja listja in dolžine vegetacijskega obdobja za dob v sledečem letu. Nismo pa ugotovili povezanosti med osutostjo krošenj in fenofazami bukve ali smreke

Importance of Forest Ecosystem Services to Secondary School Students: a Case from the North-West Slovenia

Background and Purpose: Forest managers are facing challenges in balancing the demands for forest social services raised by the general public and forest productive services. Knowing local people’s attitudes, taking into account their needs and respecting their opinions, introducing social aspects should become a management priority to ensure success of conservational activities and sustainable use of natural resources. This study investigates the attitudes of one category from the general public which is secondary school students related to forest ecosystem services in order to determine and present a useful basis for further research of people’s attitudes towards forests and forest management. Materials and Methods: In 2013 and 2014 410 Slovenian students from secondary schools in the Vipava valley and Goriška area in northwestern Slovenia completed a questionnaire testing for the influence of gender and frequency of forest experiences on attitudes to forest ecosystem services. Students’ attitudes to forest ecosystem services were investigated via 15 statements about provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting services. The gathered data was analysed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), using ANOVA, Tukey post-hoc test, Spearman’s product moment correlation and the nonparametric Mann–Whitney (U) test. Results and Conclusions: Students acknowledged the high benefits of ecosystem services provided by forests, though not all forest ecosystem services hold the same importance to secondary school students. Students placed the highest importance on supporting services; especially on the value of forests as habitats for animal and plant species. Also the importance of forests for clean air production was emphasized. Students with more frequent experiences in the forest environment placed more importance on cultural services as well as regulating services, especially for clean water and air production. Gender differences were not significant, other than in the valuation of the forest as a place for relaxation and reflection, where female students were more supportive than male students

Pestrost tipov ektomikorize v smrekovem sestoju na Pokljuki

Types of ectomycorrhizae were studied in soil cores from a young regeneration center in an autochthonous Norway spruce stand on Pokljuka (Triglav National Park, 1200 m.a.s.l.). Soil cores of equal volume (274 ml, 0 - 18 cm deep) weretaken from 33 sampling plots. In the samples all the roots were counted and types of ectomycorrhizae briefly characterized. From these data diversity indices (species diversity (d) and Shannon- Weaver index of diversity (H)) were calculated. Interactions among mycorrhizae, light regime and survival of spruce seedlings were studied. Out of about 50,000 root tips approximately 1 %were non-mycorrhizal, 63 % were old unviable mycorrhizae and 36 % were identifiable ectomycorrhizal root tips, forming 27 different types of ectomycorrhizae. Sixteen types of ectomycorrhizae were briefly characterized. The Shannon diversity index for types of ectomycorrhizae was high (3.13) with respect to the above-ground diversity of vegetation (1.7). The direct site factor was shown to be negatively correlated to ~Piceirhiza cornuta. The diffuse site factor was negatively correlated to Cortinarius sp. (obtusus type) and positively correlated to Inocybe sp. The ground vegetation cover waspositively correlated to Piceirhiza gelatinosa and the total vegetation cover to Elaphomyces sp.V majhni vrzeli domnevno avtohtonega smrekovega sestoja na Pokljuki (Triglavski narodni park) smo proučevali tipe ektomikorize na smreki. Vzorce tal smo jemali na 33. zvezdasto razporejenih vzorčnih ploskvicah s sondo prostornine 274 ml iz globine 0-18 cm. Iz vsakega vzorca smo izločili vse koreninice smreke, jih prešteli, ter na kratko opisali prisotni tip ektomikorize. Izračunali smo Indeks bogastva vrst (d) in Shannonov indeks pestrosti (H). Zanimal nas je vpliv ekoloških dejavnikov (svetlobnih razmer, naravnega pomlajevanja, zastiranja vegetacije) na porazdelitev tipov ektomikorize. Od skupno 50.000 korenin smreke je bilo približno 1 % nemikoriznih, 63 % je bilo nedoločljivih, pretežno starih tipov ektomikorize ter 36 % določljivih ektomikoriznih korenin, ki so skupaj tvorile 27 tipov ektomikorize. Predstavljenih je 16 kratkih opisov za do sedaj neopisane tipe ektomikorize. Shannonov indeks pestrosti za tipe ektomikorize (3,13) je visok glede na pestrost vegetacije (1,7). Ugotovili smo negativno korelacijo direktnega sončnega sevanja s tipom ~Piceirhiza cornuta. Difuzno sončno sevanje je v negativni odvisnosti s tipom Cortinarius sp. (obtusus tip) in v pozitivni odvisnosti s tipom Inocybe sp.. Zastiranje pritalne vegetacije je v pozitivni odvisnosti s tipom Piceirhiza gelatinosa, skupno zastiranje vegetacije pa je v pozitivni odvisnosti s tipom Elaphomyces sp