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Forests
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Structure and Species Composition of Forests – Prospects and Challenges...
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Structure and Species Composition of Forests – Prospects and Challenges for Adaptative Forest Management

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 24 January 2025 | Viewed by 9953

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ion Catalin Petritan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Forest Management Planning and Terrestrial Measurements, Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University, Sirul Beethoven 1, ROU-500123 Brasov, Romania
Interests: forest ecology; forest management; dendroecology; old-growth forests; deadwood decomposition
Prof. Dr. Jarosław Paluch

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Forestry, Agricultural University Krakow, aleja Adama Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Kraków, Poland
Interests: silviculture; old-growth forests; natural regeneration; mixed-species stands

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forests are facing natural and anthropogenic hazards on an unprecedented scale. Therefore, one of the most urgent challenges for forestry is to integrate measures undertaken for adapting to climate change and for mitigating the loss of natural biodiversity and to manage the consequences of these measures for society and local economies. Responding to this challenge requires the active role of all stakeholders in the forestry sector and the exchange of ideas and experiences. The diversity of forest ecosystems and local socioeconomic conditions means that management scenarios aiming at the reconciliation of multiple goals may vary considerably. Nonetheless, solutions proposed from a local perspective have the potential to inspire planners and forest managers working with ecosystems formed by the same functional groups of species under similar natural hazards or climate change scenarios. We invite the submission of reviews and original research articles dealing with analyses of alternative scenarios of forest management aimed at increasing the adaptive potential of forests worldwide. Scientific papers from around the world dealing with examples of resilient forest structures from managed and natural forests, silvicultural techniques of adaptive forest management, hazard risk analyses, and the consequences of implemented solutions for commodity and non-commodity forest services are welcome.

Dr. Ion Catalin Petritan
Prof. Dr. Jarosław Paluch
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • adaptive forestry
  • multi-objective forestry
  • resilient forest structures
  • forest conversion
  • mixed-species stands
  • uneven-aged forests
  • risk analysis

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 3333 KiB  
Article
Species Composition and Diversity of Plants along Human-Induced Disturbances in Tropical Moist Sal Forests of Eastern Ghats, India
by Madhab Chandra Behera, Uttam Kumar Sahoo, Tanmay Lalitendu Mohanty, Piotr Prus, Laura Smuleac and Raul Pascalau
Forests 2023, 14(10), 1931; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14101931 - 22 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1786
Abstract
Plant biodiversity data are prerequisites for the sustainable management of a forest. We used quantitative ecological tools to determine the species composition, diversity (richness and evenness), population structure, distribution patterns, and regeneration status of trees in a Tropical Moist Sal Forest of Eastern [...] Read more.
Plant biodiversity data are prerequisites for the sustainable management of a forest. We used quantitative ecological tools to determine the species composition, diversity (richness and evenness), population structure, distribution patterns, and regeneration status of trees in a Tropical Moist Sal Forest of Eastern Ghats, India. For this purpose, a field inventory was conducted during 2020–2022 in sixteen 1.0 ha forest stands along a human-induced disturbance gradient. A total of 161 species (61 trees, 40 shrubs, 60 herbs) belonging to 77 families and 143 genera were recorded in the 16.0 ha of forest area. The results revealed a significant (p < 0.01) decrease in the tree and shrub species density, basal area, species richness, and diversity along the gradient of disturbance. However, in the case of herbs, the Shannon–Weiner diversity index increased significantly (p < 0.01) with increasing disturbance levels. Irrespective of forest types and disturbance levels, the tree diameter class (10–30 cm) accounted for the highest stem density in the forest. A mixed trend was found in the case of the basal area; the >41 cm diameter class constituted the highest basal area in the Pure Sal Forest while the 10–30 cm class was in the Moist Deciduous Forest without Sal. Tree species richness was found higher in lower diameter classes. Disturbances impacted the distribution pattern of trees; in the Pure Sal Forest, the contagious distribution of trees were 61.54%, 40%, and 12.5% in undisturbed, low-disturbed, and moderately disturbed sites, respectively. The percent of trees showing random and regular distribution increased with the increased level of disturbance in all forest types. The number of tree species having good regeneration decreased with the increased disturbance intensity in all forest types. Frequent grazing, repeated forest fires, and poor soil seed banks at the Moderately Disturbed site were the main reasons for the poor/no regeneration of Pterocarpus marsupium, Adina cordifolia, Terminalia bellerica, and some other economical species. Significant changes in structural attributes of the tree community revealed the impact of human-induced disturbances in the Moist Sal Forests of Eastern Ghats. The disturbance mosaics promoted the growth of many invasive weed species and lianas, depleting the number of valuable species in the forest. This study suggests the adaption of sustainable biodiversity conservation approaches through the active participation of the tribal so that the remnants the Moist Sal Forests of Eastern Ghats can be controlled to prevent further degradation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure and Species Composition of Forests – Prospects and Challenges for Adaptative Forest Management)
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17 pages, 2328 KiB  
Article
Effect of Species Composition on Growth and Yield in Mixed Beech–Coniferous Stands
by Avram Cicșa, Gheorghe-Marian Tudoran, Maria Cicșa (Boroeanu), Alexandru-Claudiu Dobre and Gheorghe Spârchez
Forests 2022, 13(10), 1651; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13101651 - 9 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1767
Abstract
Research Highlights: In mixed stands, competitive and supportive relationships occur between trees, illustrated by their dendrometric characteristics. Background and Objectives: We investigated the effect of species composition on growth and yield in mixed beech–coniferous stands in the Romanian Carpathians. Materials and Methods [...] Read more.
Research Highlights: In mixed stands, competitive and supportive relationships occur between trees, illustrated by their dendrometric characteristics. Background and Objectives: We investigated the effect of species composition on growth and yield in mixed beech–coniferous stands in the Romanian Carpathians. Materials and Methods: We selected sites with similar trophicity levels, as determined by the site mapping method. Under the same site conditions, we generated models to determine, for each species (spruce, fir, and beech), the main parameters of the site index, including mean height, dominant height, standing volume yield, and mean annual volume increment for different compositional species proportions (psp) and categories of proportions (i.e., low psp, between 10 and 50%, and high psp, ranging between 60 and 90%). Results: Overall, up to the age of 100 years, mixed stands with low psp had enhanced tree height growth, characterized by mean values 2.2% higher for spruce and 4.8% higher for fir and beech. Dominant height showed similar values, regardless of psp. Mixed stands in which the psp increased (i.e., psp > 50) were more productive, with the mean yield differences at the age of 100 years ranging from +1.7% (for fir) to +3.8% (for spruce and beech), increasing to +6% at 140 years. Conclusions: When setting management targets, the management of mixed forests should be based on an understanding of the relationship between the site, species ecological requirements, and their yield potential. Mixed stands can influence individual tree growth and stand yield through psp. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure and Species Composition of Forests – Prospects and Challenges for Adaptative Forest Management)
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13 pages, 1726 KiB  
Article
Unraveling the Importance of Forest Structure and Composition Driving Soil Microbial and Enzymatic Responses in the Subtropical Forest Soils
by Taimoor Hassan Farooq, Xiaoyong Chen, Awais Shakoor, Muhammad Haroon U. Rashid, Uttam Kumar, Majid Alhomrani, Abdulhakeem S. Alamri, Balasubramani Ravindran and Wende Yan
Forests 2022, 13(10), 1535; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13101535 - 21 Sep 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2161
Abstract
As the responsive soil properties, soil microbial fractions and enzymatic activities are often recommended for assessing soil environment. Different flora, silvicultural practices, and anthropogenic activities regulate essential ecosystem processes. They could substantially affect biological properties, nutrient budgets, and biogeochemical cycles at local and [...] Read more.
As the responsive soil properties, soil microbial fractions and enzymatic activities are often recommended for assessing soil environment. Different flora, silvicultural practices, and anthropogenic activities regulate essential ecosystem processes. They could substantially affect biological properties, nutrient budgets, and biogeochemical cycles at local and regional scales. This study examined how different forest compositions influenced by various anthropogenic activities (land use change, over-exploitation, species translocation) affect soil microbial properties and enzymatic activities, as well as the effects of soil chemical properties on these patterns in important sub-tropical forest ecosystems in Southern China. The research was conducted at Lutou forest research station, located in Yueyang, Hunan Province, China. Soil samples were collected at 0–10, 10–20, and 20–40 cm depths from natural broadleaved forest (NBF), coniferous monoculture plantations (CPF), and mixed forest stand. CPF stands are directly affected by human interference and frequent harvesting practices, whereas mixed forest and NBF stands are naturally grown forests with minimal human interference. Enzymes continually play a positive role in preserving soil health. The results showed that the interaction effect of forest type and soil depth significantly influenced urease, sucrase, and protease activity (all p < 0.001); however, no clear patterns were observed. Soil microbial carbon (MBC) and soil microbial nitrogen (MBN) were remarkably higher in 0–10 cm in mixed forest and NBF stand compared to CPF stand. For the upper soil layer, soil organic carbon (SOC) was higher in mixed forest, whereas, for the remaining two layers, it was observed to be highest in NBF. Moreover, the microbial quotient (MBC/SOC) was considerably higher in NBF forest in all soil layers than in mixed forest and CPF stand. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (TN) had a strong positive relationship with MBC compared to MBN. Our study contributes toward an enhanced understanding of soil enzymatic responses and microbial soil dynamics’ biological patterns, controls, and activities in different rural forest ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure and Species Composition of Forests – Prospects and Challenges for Adaptative Forest Management)
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21 pages, 2583 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Productivity of Monospecific and Mixed Oak (Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl. and Quercus robur L.) Stands in Germany: Growth Dynamics and the Effect of Stand Structure
by Kilian Stimm, Michael Heym, Ralf-Volker Nagel, Enno Uhl and Hans Pretzsch
Forests 2022, 13(5), 724; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13050724 - 5 May 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2672
Abstract
Wood production is one of the most important ecosystem service that forests provide to society. However, under changing climatic conditions, this appears to be subject to increasing uncertainties. In the present study we analyzed how long-term productivity of oak (Quercus petraea [Matt.] [...] Read more.
Wood production is one of the most important ecosystem service that forests provide to society. However, under changing climatic conditions, this appears to be subject to increasing uncertainties. In the present study we analyzed how long-term productivity of oak (Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl. and Quercus robur L.) stands has developed, how oak behaved on tree and stand level depending on the stand structure and which trade-offs can be observed. For the analyses, data from 147 long-term monospecific and mixed stands were investigated, which have been regularly recorded since 1898. Firstly, long-term stand productivity has increased up to 21% until 2020 as compared to 1960. This trend was observed for both, monospecific as well as mixed oak stands. Secondly, stand productivity was on average 19% higher in mixed compared to monospecific oak stands. This superiority can be explained by higher stand densities, a vigorous understory and the admixture of beech in particular. With increasing age, the observed positive effect of stand density was higher. Thirdly, individual oak productivity slowed down under interspecific competition, especially in young to mid-aged stands. In this context, the productivity of individual oaks depended strongly on their social position within the stand. Fourthly, in terms of growth partitioning larger trees contributed most in young oak stands, regardless of mixture. In order to preserve oak as a productive component of future mixed forests, the results suggest a silvicultural promotion of oak. Consistent management of dominant and vital oaks can achieve high productive trees while maintaining the positive characteristics of highly structured and mixed forests. A vigorous secondary stand can increase overall stand productivity at lower densities and allows silvicultural flexibility at the stand level. Creating vertical stand structure to reduce competition has only a limited positive effect on productivity of individual oaks that is highly related to its social status. Special attention should still be paid to beech as admixed tree species, which can continue to crowd oak even at higher stand ages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure and Species Composition of Forests – Prospects and Challenges for Adaptative Forest Management)
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