Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) represents a key forest tree species whose ecological and silvicultural importance is increasing under conditions of global climate change (GCC) in Europe. This study assessed stand structure, biodiversity, productivity, and radial growth in relation to climatic variables (air temperature and precipitation) in 109–126-year-old mixed stands of silver fir and Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) in the West Bohemian Uplands, Czech Republic (408–602 m a.s.l.). Stand volume in these mature mixed silver fir stands ranged from 237 m3/ha on nutrient-poor pine sites to 459 m3/ha on more fertile sites. Overall biodiversity, expressed as the comprehensive diversity index (B), ranged from 3.87 to 5.76 and increased with a higher proportion of mixed-species admixtures. Climatic fluctuations significantly influenced the radial growth of both species. Silver fir exhibited greater tolerance to variability in air temperature. Still, it was susceptible to late-spring frosts, whereas Norway spruce was negatively affected by the synergistic effects of high air temperatures and summer drought. July emerged as the most influential month for radial growth in terms of air temperature, while February was critical for precipitation. Silver fir demonstrated a stronger growth response to monthly air temperature and precipitation variations compared to Norway spruce, particularly on nutrient-poor sites. These findings confirm silver fir as a keystone species due to its shade tolerance, high ecological plasticity, and resilience to variable climatic conditions, highlighting its potential role in adaptive management of mixed forests under GCC scenarios.
Tree species, used in agroforestry systems, have both the environmental and economic value. They can serve, among other uses, for feeding domestic animals, and they can be also the fodder for hoofed browsing game. Twig fodder represents the shoots of woody species including foliage. It represents a traditional source in many countries. In the presented study, the basic nutrition characteristics of twig-fodder of lime tree (Tilia cordata L.) and black mulberry (Morus nigra L.), sampled in two terms (10 May and 16 August 2023) are presented. The bulk samples from 5–10 individuals of each species were formed; the samples were analyzed in specialized laboratory. The nutritional characteristics were compared with maize silage as reference fodder. Results confirmed twig-fodder as a convenient and perspective source of animal alimentation when compared to conventional fodder. At the same time, a higher nutritional value of mulberry in comparison to lime (linden) tree and seasonal changes in nutritional quality were confirmed.
Douglas-fir is one of the most successful examples of introduction in forestry. It plays also important role in the European as well as Czech forestry for its production, site stabilization and effects on soil. Presented article compares Douglas-fir and Norway-spruce forest soils at an oakbeech acidic-Cambisol site at an altitude of 455 m above sea level; the age of both monospecific parts of the stand was 39 years. Holorganic horizons (L+F1, F2+H) were sampled quantitatively (the samples were enclosed in 25 cm × 25 cm steel frame), mineral horizons (Ah, B) only qualitatively in 5 replications under both tree species. Results showed a higher accumulation of holorganic matter (67.82 t/ha vs. 53.36 t/ha) under Douglas-fir. Under this species, soil properties (higher pH, bases content, base saturation, lower exchangeable acidity and aluminum content) were more favorable. The total and plant-available nutrient contents were more variable, but in general indicated better nutrient dynamics under Douglas-fir. For this reason, Douglas-fir can be considered as site improving species in the Norway spruce stands.
Accurate and timely prediction of bark beetle-related timber volumes is essential for minimizing economic losses and for ensuring effective logistics management in both the forestry and wood-processing sectors. Therefore, this study focuses on analysing the predictive capacity of interim reports on salvage logging volumes to estimate the final annual impacts of bark beetle outbreaks. Based on a regression analysis of time-series data from the Czech Republic (2007–2024), we examined the relationship between mid-year and three-quarter reports and the total annual volume of bark beetle–affected timber. The results demonstrate a very strong correlation for both reporting periods. However, the analysis revealed that the relationship between mid-year and annual volumes does not correspond to a simple linear doubling; instead, it requires the application of a multiplication factor of approximately 3.1. This pattern reflects the phenology of the spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) and delays in detecting infestations during the first half of the year. In contrast, three-quarter reports show high stability and align with the theoretical expectation of volume completion at the end of the year. The study confirms that interim reporting can serve as a robust tool for early prediction and strategic planning in forest management.
Soil biodiversity reflects human impact on forest soils. It can be assumed that biodiversity will decrease with the increasing degree of soil disturbance compared to close-to-nature forests. This paper aims to compare the soil environment and soil microbial biodiversity in habitats with different degrees of disturbance within the Krkonoše National Park (KRNAP). A close-to-nature beech forest, a same-aged spruce monoculture and footpaths/roads were selected. Soil samples were taken from each area at 10 locations, based on the soil horizons present (mixture of organic horizons FH, organo-mineral A and mineral B). Basic soil characteristics were determined (organic C (Cox), active pH and base saturation). The composition of microbial communities and the reciprocal Simpson index were also determined for individual locations. Paths showed higher active pH and saturation of the sorption complex compared to forest habitats. No differences were found in the amount of Cox between habitats, apart from the FH horizon, where more Cox was determined in the near-natural stand. Prokaryotic and microeukaryotic communities are different in individual horizons and between habitats. Paths show a higher diversity of microbial populations in A horizons and B horizons showed higher numbers, even in prokaryotic microorganisms, compared to forest stands. Paths are an intrusion into the forest environment and are a significant element in the biodiversity of the forest environment of the KRNAP, most likely due to the differences in the soil environment, lower acidity and higher availability of nutrients compared to acidic and nutrient-poor forest areas.
Climate change is a problem primarily driven by fossil fuel emissions, and mitigation strategies necessitate a shift to alternative energy sources. One potential source is bioenergy. Forest biomass is a widespread energy source favored for its renewability, abundance, and versatility. However, its carbon neutrality is debated. In their scoping review, Selivanov et al. (2023) identified eight carbon neutrality concepts, highlighting the lack of a unified definition and emphasizing the importance of temporal and spatial boundaries, feedstock origin, and production practices. A potential solution is to evaluate the environmental impact of bioenergy production across its entire life cycle using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, rather than simplistically labeling a biomass source as carbon neutral. Selivanov, Cudlín (2025) performed an LCA study to evaluate the environmental impact of heat production from wood pellets derived from sawmill residues in Northwest Russia. The goal of this short communication is to summarize the findings of these two studies, and conclude whether the use of forest biomass for bioenergy contributes to climate change mitigation.
Presented monitoring in the Hrubý Jeseník Mountains is part of a research project focused on the impact of large-scale clear-cuts carried out during the extensive bark beetle outbreak in 2015–2020 on hydrological processes in small forest catchments. During the 2022–2024 growing seasons, precipitation, soil moisture, and soil water potential were monitored in clear-cuts and Norway spruce stands. Soil moisture was the highest at the beginning of vegetation season, then declined as the evapotranspiration increased. In open areas, significantly higher soil moisture was generally measured compared to Norway spruce stands due to their relatively high interception (29–69 %) and transpiration. However, the drought stress episodes with the strongly negative soil water potential (≈ -1.5 MPa) were identified rather exceptionally and exclusively in forest stands and in upper 10 cm of mineral soil. We conclude that the loss of forest cover, which temporarily occurred because of the bark beetle outbreak, does not have a fundamental impact on the development of soil moisture – at least there is no “drying out of the landscape”. The potential issue is rather the reduction in the retention capacity of soils to absorb larger amounts of torrential rainfall due to higher water reserves in the soil in clear-cut locations and reduced interception.
Large-scale forest disturbances caused by wind and bark beetle outbreaks have created extensive clearings that require efficient, site-specific, and climate-adaptive regeneration strategies. This study evaluates the effectiveness of artificial, combined, and alternative regeneration approaches on a 40-hectare experimental site in Heraltice, Czech Republic, established in 2019 after severe disturbances. Artificial regeneration consisted of pure and mixed plantings of Fagus sylvatica and Quercus robur, with Carpinus betulus used as an auxiliary species. The combined regeneration approach involved low-density planting of Picea abies and Alnus glutinosa (1,800 plants/ha), complemented by subsequent natural regeneration. The alternative variant applied a mixture of Prunus avium and Betula pendula at a density of 2,400 plants/ha. After five growing seasons, all regeneration variants met the legal criteria for an established plantation. While some pure plantations showed higher initial mortality, natural regeneration effectively compensated for planting losses. Pioneer species, particularly birch and alder, showed rapid height growth, exceeding 100 cm on average after five years, whereas oak and beech exhibited slower early development. Economic evaluation revealed significant cost differences between the regeneration methods: the combined regeneration method had total costs approximately one-third those of traditional artificial regeneration of broadleaves. The alternative Prunus–Betula mixture also substantially lowered establishment costs, though timely thinning remains essential to promote the target species. Overall, the results demonstrate that combining artificial and natural regeneration methods can accelerate reforestation, enhance structural and species diversity, reduce costs, and improve resilience to future disturbances. Such integrated strategies provide practical, cost-effective, and sustainable pathways for restoring large areas of disturbed forest under changing climatic conditions.
Forest floor properties strongly reflect nutrient cycling, yet widely used rapid classifications may overlook important soil properties‘ variability. We described humus forms and quantified C/N ratios (0–5 cm) in four forest stand types – deciduous and coniferous monocultures, even‑aged mixed, and uneven‑aged mixed stands – distributed across lowland, mid‑altitude and high‑altitude conditions in the Czech Republic. A total of 122 soil pits across 5 localities were described. Field sampling followed a star‑shaped design with soil pits at fixed intervals; humus forms were assigned using the French classification (Brethes et al. 1995) as a basis for Humus Index (Ponge et al. 2002). Despite large contrasts in climate, bedrock and stand composition, three humus forms were described (dysmoder, eumoder, dysmull), indicating possible limited sensitivity of the classification. C/N ratios varied widely and were consistently lowest under broadleaved monocultures and highest under conifer‑dominated stands. Mixed stands often showed intermediate C/N values. Several differences were statistically significant within lowlands and mid‑altitudes. Our results suggest that stand composition can outweigh climatic setting in shaping topsoil organic matter quality. Moreover, the Humus Index may be a suitable tool for quick topsoil conditions assessment although, it is important to select and verify the correct classification of humus forms.
This research focused on comparing two spruce-dominated micro-watersheds with relatively similar natural conditions, located in different forest vegetation zones (FVZ). We followed two hydrologically different years 2023 and 2024, and observed differences in the amount and characteristics of extreme runoff events, which we primarily interpret as the effect of forest stands referring to their hydric functions. The local nature of the study and the short time period should be seen in the broader context of global climate change as contribution to the understanding of the changing role of forest stands in flood protection and also to the issue of extensive changes in tree species composition. Our results highlight the fact that spruce catchments in the lower altitudes (3rd FVZ) achieve significantly lower water management efficiency than spruce catchments closer to their ecological optimum (5th FVZ). This finding is important because it reminds us that challenges connected to spruce management cannot be categorically generalized but must be evaluated in local conditions. This applies, among other things, to extensive changes in tree species composition, which can have a significant positive effect on hydric conditions in the long term, but this effect can only be expected with a lag of several years.
Urbanization fundamentally influences mammalian behavior, yet quantitative data from Central European cities remain scarce. We deployed 60 camera traps across Brno (Czech Republic) from January 2024 to April 2025 along an urban–peri-urban–rural gradient, ranging from the historical city center to surrounding forests and agricultural land. In total, we collected 30,488 detections representing 23 mammal species; five species (European hare, roe deer, red fox, wild boar, domestic cat) accounted for over 75% of all records. Synanthropic species (cat, fox) were strongly associated with built-up areas, whereas hare, roe deer, and wild boar primarily used the peri-urban zone and connected green areas. Daily activity patterns corresponded with known ecological rhythms: hare and roe deer showed crepuscular peaks, wild boar and fox were mostly nocturnal, and cats exhibited activity distributed throughout the day. Seasonal shifts in activity were statistically confirmed for hare and fox. Three invasive species (nutria, muskrat, raccoon) were also documented. Our findings show that cities do not act as barriers but rather as heterogeneous mosaics enabling coexistence of species with different space-use strategies. Camera trapping proved effective for detecting early signals of wildlife and invasive species presence in urban environments.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of a modular wooden trap designed for wild boar (Sus scrofa) population management in Central Europe. The trap consisted of a pentagonal wooden structure 2 m in height equipped with a selective mechanical trigger and constructed to prevent visual contact with the surroundings, thereby reducing stress in captured animals. Camera monitoring and subsequent assessment of sex, age class and body weight demonstrated that the trap could capture a broad spectrum of age categories, including females with piglets. Capture success was significantly higher in spring and summer, reflecting increased foraging activity and the presence of larger family groups, whereas autumn captures included a greater proportion of adults and yearlings. The average body weight of captured individuals remained relatively low due to the predominance of piglets. Statistical analyses confirmed clear seasonal differences in capture efficiency, showing that trap performance is closely linked to group dynamics and food availability. Overall, the results indicate that the wooden trap is a functional, safe and welfare-friendly capture method suitable for forested and conflict-prone areas where conventional hunting methods cannot be used, and it can therefore substantially contribute to the sustainable management of expanding wild boar populations.
Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) represents a key forest tree species whose ecological and silvicultural importance is increasing under conditions of global climate change (GCC) in Europe. This study assessed stand structure, biodiversity, productivity, and radial growth in relation to climatic variables (air temperature and precipitation) in 109-126-year-old mixed stands of silver fir and Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) in the West Bohemian Uplands, Czech Republic (408-602 m a.s.l.). Stand volume in these mature mixed silver fir stands ranged from 237 m(3)center dot ha(-1) on nutrient-poor pine sites to 459 m(3)center dot ha(-1) on more fertile sites. Overall biodiversity, expressed as the comprehensive diversity index (B), ranged from 3.87 to 5.76 and increased with a higher proportion of mixed-species admixtures. Climatic fluctuations significantly influenced the radial growth of both species. Silver fir exhibited greater tolerance to variability in air temperature. Still, it was susceptible to late-spring frosts, whereas Norway spruce was negatively affected by the synergistic effects of high air temperatures and summer drought. July emerged as the most influential month for radial growth in terms of air temperature, while February was critical for precipitation. Silver fir demonstrated a stronger growth response to monthly air temperature and precipitation variations compared to Norway spruce, particularly on nutrient-poor sites. These findings confirm silver fir as a keystone species due to its shade tolerance, high ecological plasticity, and resilience to variable climatic conditions, highlighting its potential role in adaptive management of mixed forests under GCC scenarios.
Accurate and timely prediction of bark beetle-related timber volumes is essential for minimizing economic losses and for ensuring effective logistics management in both the forestry and wood-processing sectors. Therefore, this study focuses on analysing the predictive capacity of interim reports on salvage logging volumes to estimate the final annual impacts of bark beetle outbreaks. Based on a regression analysis of time-series data from the Czech Republic (2007-2024), we examined the relationship between mid-year and three-quarter reports and the total annual volume of bark beetle-affected timber. The results demonstrate a very strong correlation for both reporting periods. However, the analysis revealed that the relationship between mid-year and annual volumes does not correspond to a simple linear doubling; instead, it requires the application of a multiplication factor of approximately 3.1. This pattern reflects the phenology of the spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) and delays in detecting infestations during the first half of the year. In contrast, three-quarter reports show high stability and align with the theoretical expectation of volume completion at the end of the year. The study confirms that interim reporting can serve as a robust tool for early prediction and strategic planning in forest management.
Tree species, used in agroforestry systems, have both the environmental and economic value. They can serve, among other uses, for feeding domestic animals, and they can be also the fodder for hoofed browsing game. Twig fodder represents the shoots of woody species including foliage. It represents a traditional source in many countries. In the presented study, the basic nutrition characteristics of twig-fodder of lime tree (Tilia cordata L.) and black mulberry (Morus nigra L.), sampled in two terms (10 May and 16 August 2023) are presented. The bulk samples from 5-10 individuals of each species were formed; the samples were analyzed in specialized laboratory. The nutritional characteristics were compared with maize silage as reference fodder. Results confirmed twig-fodder as a convenient and perspective source of animal alimentation when compared to conventional fodder. At the same time, a higher nutritional value of mulberry in comparison to lime (linden) tree and seasonal changes in nutritional quality were confirmed.
The presented article presents a hydrological analysis of the extreme flood in September 2024 in the experimental catchments of the Sluci, Sokoli and Such) brook, which are right-hand tributaries of the & Ccaron;ern & aacute; Opava River. The interruption of monitoring and morphological changes in the riverbeds in these catchments due to the destruction of water-gauging stations forced the reconstruction of the flood using mathematical models, which is generally an obvious fact for the Jeseniky region with the greater or lesser meaning. The rainfall-runoff models HYDROG, HEC-HMS, MIKE SHE, SIMWE and the hydraulic models HEC-RAS and DHI MIKE were used for this analysis. The Mnichov hydrological station on the Cerna Opava was chosen as the calibration profile. The causal precipitation belongs among the absolute measured records in the stations in several locations in the Jeseniky Mountains, and the propagation of the flood further down the Opava catchment represented an absolute maximum in the measured water level and evaluated flow for some stations. The situation was not different in the catchments of the Slu & ccaron;& iacute;, Sokol & iacute; and Such) brook. The analyses also included a comparison of the results of individual rainfall-runoff models and the methods they implement, e.g. SCS-CN, Horton or Green-Ampt. The simulated hydrographs show good correlation between the measured and evaluated data, with the Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient not falling below 0.7, mostly due to the declining part of the flood hydrograph, when standard rainfall-runoff models are unable to simulate the slowdown of runoff due to water accumulation in inundation areas. For this and other reasons, it is appropriate to use a combination of rainfall-runoff and hydraulic models. For more information see Summary at the end of the article.
Douglas-fir is one of the most successful examples of introduction in forestry. It plays also important role in the European as well as Czech forestry for its production, site stabilization and effects on soil. Presented article compares Douglas-fir and Norway-spruce forest soils at an oak-beech acidic-Cambisol site at an altitude of 455 m above sea level; the age of both monospecific parts of the stand was 39 years. Holorganic horizons (L+F1, F2+H) were sampled quantitatively (the samples were enclosed in 25 cm x 25 cm steel frame), mineral horizons (Ah, B) only qualitatively in 5 replications under both tree species. Results showed a higher accumulation of holorganic matter (67.82 t/ha vs. 53.36 t/ha) under Douglas-fir. Under this species, soil properties (higher pH, bases content, base saturation, lower exchangeable acidity and aluminum content) were more favorable. The total and plant-available nutrient contents were more variable, but in general indicated better nutrient dynamics under Douglas-fir. For this reason, Douglas-fir can be considered as site improving species in the Norway spruce stands.
Sequestering carbon in forest ecosystems is an important nature-based solution for mitigating climate change. One way to assess the effectiveness of carbon uptakes in forestry is to determine the effect that the inclusion of carbon price has on the length of economic rotation period of forest stands. Whether and until when forests should be left unharvested and store carbon in living biomass and deadwood, or harvested and store carbon in harvested wood products is the issue, which is investigated in this study by computing rotation ages that consider both commercial timber and carbon prices. The optimization is carried out with an economic-ecological model that includes size-structured matrix growth model and accounts for climate effects on forest dynamics. The study concerns with uneven-aged mixed-species forests consisting of Norway spruce (Picea abies L.), European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and silver fir (Abies alba Mill.). The data on forest initial distributions comes from the Czech National Forest Inventory. The results showed that inclusion of carbon pricing to economic criteria for determining optimal rotation ages prolongs the rotation period. An increase in the carbon prices postpones optimal harvest age and leads to higher total net carbon sinks. However, the optimal solutions are sensitive not only to the discount rate, but also to the growth conditions of forest site and future climate evolution.
Pan-European decline of Tetraonidae populations in Central and Southern Europe presents a serious problem for species conservation and biodiversity in general. Addressing the issue through the reinforcement of residual populations via reintroductions is very costly and is usually based on a patchwork of empirical knowledge from various sources. As a result, the success rate of such projects is minimal. The following information focuses on the biological quality of artificially reared individuals that seems to be largely underestimated issue. Based on a previously developed feed recipe (seed mixture) for raising black grouse chicks, with parameters matching the natural food in the wild, the selective intake of individual seed species was verified. The feed was presented to a breeding group of birds (1 male, 3 females). The goal was to assess whether the selective intake of components from the feed mixture led to a shift in the original nutrient composition of the mixture. The potential influence of the attractiveness of individual components (seed species) in the feed mixture on the actual nutrient intake by the birds (dry matter, crude protein, fats, ash, fiber, and nitrogen-free extract) was therefore tested. This was done by evaluating the quantity and quality of the presented and residual feed mixture (color, gloss, shape, length, and nutrient content of the seeds). A statistically significant difference was demonstrated between the composition of the presented and residual feed mixture (χ2 = 231.91; df = 17; p < 0.001). The color, gloss, and shape of the seeds had no significant effect on their attractiveness to the grouse (p > 0.05). Regarding the nutrient content of the individual seed species, the content of dry matter (W = 66; p = 0.014) and fats (W = 65; p = 0.018) were confirmed to be significant. However, no statistically significant preference was found for seeds with higher or lower contents of crude protein, ash, fiber, or nitrogen-free extract (p > 0.05).
The root biomass represents a significant carbon pool in forest ecosystems. However, directly determining belowground biomass is challenging, and using allometric equations or root-to-shoot ratios is associated with a high degree of uncertainty. This study aimed to review available models for estimating root biomass and based on a comparative analysis, identify suitable allometric equations for quantifying the belowground biomass of major forest tree species in the Czech Republic. A total of 49 models from across Europe were tested for spruce, pine, beech, and oak. Among the equations derived from empirical data, the suitable models for our coniferous species are those by Repola (2009); for beech, the models by Huet et al. (2004) are recommended, and for oak, the model by Offenthaler, Hochbichler (2006) is preferred. The models by Forrester et al. (2017), based on pseudo-data generated from available European models, are applicable to all the tree species studied. The selected equations can be recommended for national forestry reporting (e.g. Forest Europe, UNFCCC).
