WOODLAND COMMUNITIES AND SITES AT 2 ALTITUDE PROFILES NEAR ACHENKIRCH(THE TYROL)

The survey area is situated along two altitude profiles, each covering an altitude difference of about 800 m, west of Achental at the northe rn fringe of the Alps. From dolomite and limestone Rendzic Leptosol an d Chromic Cambisol developed as predominant soil types. These are main ly resilient against (anthropogenic) depositions. Nine woodland commun ities (plant associations) were found. Montane spruce-fir-beech woodla nds and subalpine spruce woodlands are predominant. Aposerido-Fagetum and Adenostylo-Piceetum are further divided into subassociations and v ariants. 18 site types were classified and mapped. The forest line, fo rmed by Norway spruce (Picea abias), is situated at an altitude of abo ut 1700m, but is widely depressed due to anthropogenic impact and edap hic factors. Forest use started in the Middle Ages and was initialized by the needs of neighbouring salterns and mining. This caused changes of the tree species composition (decrease of Silver fn, Abies alba) a nd humus dynamics. More recent impacts are caused by tourism, especial ly skiing, and cattle grazing in the forest.