Year 2022, Volume 7, Issue 2
| Year : | 2022 |
| Volume : | 7 |
| Issue : | 2 |
| Authors : | Tamás MISIK, Imre KÁRÁSZ |
| Title : | LONG-TERM DYNAMICS OF SUBCANOPY LAYER AS NEW LAYER IN AN OAK FOREST OF HUNGARY |
| Abstract : | Structural dynamics of the shrub layer were analysed in a Hungarian oak forest after the serious oak decline pandemics. Vertical foliage distribution changed in the understory and a new subcanopy layer appeared below the oak canopy in the last decades. This paper focuses on the following questions: (1) how have the new foliage layer developed after oak decline? (2) Which woody species are the most frequent in this layer? (3) How have the mean sizes of these species changed? The forest association in the monitoring site is Quercetum petraeae-cerridis with Quercus petraea Matt. L. (sessile oak) and Quercus cerris L. (Turkey oak). The site was subdivided into 144 permanent subplots. Woody individuals were classified as subcanopy trees between 8.0–13.0 m in height. Measured structural parameters were carried out in the period 1982-2017. Three woody species, Acer campestre L. (field maple), Acer tataricum L. (Tatar maple) and Cornus mas L. (European cornel) played a key role in the new layer and their height was between 8.0–13.0 m or higher than 13.0 m. The density of species in this layer increased considerably between 1982 and 2002. The most frequent woody species was A. campestre. The mean height, diameter and mean cover of the dominant woody species increased significantly after the decreasing oak density. Our results suggest that the mixed oak forest responded to oak decline with significant structural rearrangement in the shrubs and three woody species compensated for the remarkable foliage loss in the canopy. These species formed a new subcanopy layer. |
| For citation : | Misik,T., Kárász, I. (2022). Long-term dynamics of subcanopy layer as new layer in an oak forest of Hungary. AGROFOR International Journal, Volume 7. Issue No. 2. pp. 85-94. DOI: 10.7251/AGRENG2202085M |
| Keywords : | Shrub community, Oak decline, New foliage layer, Acer campestre, Dominant woody species. |
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ISSN 2490-3434 (Printed)
ISSN 2490-3442 (Online)
ISSN 2490-3442 (Online)
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