Are Forest Functions a Useful Tool for Multi-objective Forest Management Planning? Experiences from Slovenia

The concept of forest functions evolved in Central Europe as an important tool in the practice of multi-objective forest management. It is based on designating forest function areas that are relatively more important for the selected services. Recent practice has raised a number of concerns regarding the suitability and effectiveness of the concept of forest functions in satisfying increasing social demands on forests. This paper presents the main results of a survey of forest functions in Slovenia as seen by forestry experts (n=162). There was broad agreement among respondents that there are too many forest function types, and that at most two levels of importance should be applied. Principal component analysis identified four main purposes for designating forest function areas: harmonisation of forest uses, identification of conflict areas, and argumentation for land use planning; setting management priorities and strategies such as limitations for harvesting and skidding; providing a framework for financial subsidies for adjusted forest management; guiding forest road planning and construction. Respondents identified designation of forest function areas in both public and private forests, and their high importance for land use planning as the major strengths of the concept. Major weaknesses were an insufficient monitoring and planning system, and complicated forest function mapping. It seems that forest functions have remained an important tool in the practice of multi-objective forest management. However, improved planning methods, increased public participation and greater integration of forest functions in forest policy are needed

Are Forest Functions a Useful Tool for Multi-objective Forest Management Planning? Experiences from Slovenia

The concept of forest functions evolved in Central Europe as an important tool in the practice of multi-objective forest management. It is based on designating forest function areas that are relatively more important for the selected services. Recent practice has raised a number of concerns regarding the suitability and effectiveness of the concept of forest functions in satisfying increasing social demands on forests. This paper presents the main results of a survey of forest functions in Slovenia as seen by forestry experts (n=162). There was broad agreement among respondents that there are too many forest function types, and that at most two levels of importance should be applied. Principal component analysis identified four main purposes for designating forest function areas: harmonisation of forest uses, identification of conflict areas, and argumentation for land use planning; setting management priorities and strategies such as limitations for harvesting and skidding; providing a framework for financial subsidies for adjusted forest management; guiding forest road planning and construction. Respondents identified designation of forest function areas in both public and private forests, and their high importance for land use planning as the major strengths of the concept. Major weaknesses were an insufficient monitoring and planning system, and complicated forest function mapping. It seems that forest functions have remained an important tool in the practice of multi-objective forest management. However, improved planning methods, increased public participation and greater integration of forest functions in forest policy are needed

An analysis of horizontal structure in beech stands using data from permanent sample plots

Na vzorcu petih izbranih gozdnogospodarskih enot smo po glavnih sestojnih tipih analizirali horizontalno zgradbo bukovih sestojev. Zgradbo smo prikazali z indeksi diverzitete, podrobneje smo obravnavali razmestitev dreves in diferenciacijo njihovega premera. Ugotavljali smo vpliv nekaterih okoljskih dejavnikov ter intenzivnosti poseka na razmestitev. Za analizo smo uporabili podatkovno zbirko stalnih vzorènih ploskev (SVP) Zavoda za gozdove Slovenije. Razmestitev v sestojih se priblizuje naključni enakomerni razmestitvi, opazne so posamezne tendence dreves k sopasti oziroma sistematični razmestitvi. V sestojih prevladuje povprečna diferenciacija premerov, kar kaze na veèjo enomernost. V mlajših razvojnih fazah je nekoliko močneje nakazana sopasta razmestitev, diferenciacija premerov je manjsa. Na manjšo diferenciacijo premera vplivamo z večjo intenziteto poseka, šopasta razmestitev dreves je močneje nakazana na terenih s strmejsimi nakloni. Različne indekse diverzitete lahko izračunamo s podatki s SVP, ki so primerni predvsem za metodo izbranega drevesa in njegovih štirih najbližjih sosedov. Vzorec horizontalne zgradbe omogoča natanènejsi vpogled v sestojno zgradbo, pomemben je pri ocenjevanju mehanske stabilnosti sestojev, biodiverzitete, sestojne gostote in učinkov gospodarjenja.On the sample of five forest management units, we analysed horizontal structure of beech stands by prevalent stand types. We used several diversity indices to describe horizontal stand structure (spatial distribution of trees and differentiation of their DBH). We checked if spatial distribution is influenced by site parameters and cutting intensity. Data was used from measurements on permanent sample plots of the Slovenia Forest Service. The results show mainly average DBH differentiation and random tree positions withsome tendency to clustered and regular arrangement. Trees in younger stages are prone to clustered distribution and their DBH differentiation is smaller. Small DBH differentiation in younger stages is caused by higher intensity of cutting and clustered arrangement is more common on steeper slopes. Several diversity indices can be calculated based on data from PSP, which are suitable mostly for sampling method of reference tree and its four nearest neighbours. A pattern of horizontal stand structure gives a more precise insight in stand structure and is also important when assessing stand stability, biodiversity, stand density and management impact

An analysis of horizontal structure in beech stands using data from permanent sample plots

On the sample of five forest management units, we analysed horizontal structure of beech stands by prevalent stand types. We used several diversity indices to describe horizontal stand structure (spatial distribution of trees and differentiation of their DBH). We checked if spatial distribution is influenced by site parameters and cutting intensity. Data was used from measurements on permanent sample plots of the Slovenia Forest Service. The results show mainly average DBH differentiation and random tree positions withsome tendency to clustered and regular arrangement. Trees in younger stages are prone to clustered distribution and their DBH differentiation is smaller. Small DBH differentiation in younger stages is caused by higher intensity of cutting and clustered arrangement is more common on steeper slopes. Several diversity indices can be calculated based on data from PSP, which are suitable mostly for sampling method of reference tree and its four nearest neighbours. A pattern of horizontal stand structure gives a more precise insight in stand structure and is also important when assessing stand stability, biodiversity, stand density and management impact