The impact of thinning on ground vegetation in the pine forest

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess vegetation and undergrowth development after thinning in pine forest. 25 plots were selected in thinned and pine control stands of different years (from one to 5 years) after thinning. The size of the plots was 10x10 m. The data were collected in July of 2008 in Sudvajai forests district of Alytus forest enterprise. We recorded amount of saplings and projection cover in percent of undergrowth, herbs and mosses layers. It was determined that amount of saplings of pine and spruce increased after thinning. Projection cover of undergrowth, herb and moss layers increased after thinning. The highest projection cover was of Frangula alnus. The highest projection cover was 3-5 years after thinning. Overall species number increased after thinning. New non forest species appeared in the stands after thinning, therefore common forest species dominated even after the thinningVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij