Spontaneous ingrowth of tree species in poplar plantations in Flanders

Today a tendency exists to transform a number of traditionally managed poplar plantations, which are considered to have a poor nature conservation value, towards closer to nature stands. Herewith the question arises to what extent such conversion can occur naturally by spontaneous ingrowth of native tree species. Therefore this study formulates the following objectives: To what extent does spontaneous ingrowth occur in poplar plantations? Which parameters determine this process? Can this ingrowth be used as a base for an indirect conversion of poplar plantations? To answer these questions, surveys were carried out in 175 poplar plantations. It is found that spontaneous ingrowth of many tree species in poplar plantations is often so important that it can be used as a base for stand conversion. This ingrowth is related to the parameter "forest age", meaning the number of years that the site has been planted with poplars. The ingrowth can often be used for the development of mixed, well structured and multifunctional forest stands, with higher ecological, recreational and landscape value