C. Ammer, IMPACT OF UNGULATES ON STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF NATURAL REGENERATIONOF MIXED MOUNTAIN FORESTS IN THE BAVARIAN ALPS, Forest ecology and management, 88(1-2), 1996, pp. 43-53
For about the last 20 years, investigations have been carried out to d
etermine the influence of various ecological factors on the natural re
generation of a mixed mountain forest (Picea abies (L.) Karst, Abies a
lba Mill., Fagus sylvatica L., Acer pseudoplatanus L.) in the Bavarian
Alps. One of these factors is the influence of a ungulate population
involving three species (Capreolus capreolus (L.), Cervus elaphus L.,
Rupicarpa rupicarpa (L.)). Investigation results show that ungulates p
lay a very important part on the structure and dynamics of the regener
ation of this forest. Without browsing, growth rate and species compos
ition of the natural regeneration are mainly determined by the light c
onditions, which in turn are derived from difference silvicultural tre
atments. On the shelterwood and the clearcut plots height and height i
ncrement also increasingly depend on intra- and interspecific competit
ion effects. The impact of ungulates brings about a complete change in
the situation. A high percentage of fir and sycamore saplings is dama
ged. The survival rates of older fir plants are drastically reduced. I
n all species, except spruce, height is significantly reduced. A huge
loss of estimated biomass was observed. Subsequently the interference
processes amongst the saplings also changed. Competition, while still
intensive, is no longer important.