Introduced tree species in European forests: opportunities and challenges

0467415 - ÚVGZ 2017 RIV DE eng M - Část monografie knihy
Bednář, Pavel - Vaněk, P. - Vítková, L.
Eastern white pine in the Czech Republic.
Introduced tree species in European forests: opportunities and challenges. Freiburg: European Forest Institute, 2016 - (Krumm, F.; Vítková, L.), s. 386-394. ISBN 978-952-5980-31-8
Institucionální podpora: RVO:67179843
Klíčová slova: white pine * Czech Republic * seeds of eastern white pine
Kód oboru RIV: GK - Lesnictví

Pines (Pinus spp.) are an important component of the Northern Hemisphere’s forest cover where they occupy a wide range of habitats and are an important source of timber (Hadincová et al. 2007). Introduction of non-native tree species of pines to central Europe has a long history with the first introductions having taken place over 200 years ago. The potential of eastern white pine was recognised shortly after its introduction from North America two centuries ago. Excessive natural regeneration of eastern white pine causes shifts in species composition within the ground vegetation layer and changes to the dynamics of native habitats. Although eastern white pine has not been officially listed as invasive in the Czech Republic, it has behaved invasively in certain areas under specific conditions. Although several diseases are found on eastern white pine, within its introduced range, only white pine blister rust causes serious damage. As for the volume production performance elsewhere in Europe, the increment of eastern white pine was reported to exceed that of native Scots pine in e.g. Germany (Waldherr 2000), Switzerland (Svoboda 1953), Estonia (Kasesalu 2000), Bulgaria (e.g. Ratknic et al. 2002), and Croatia (e.g. Perić et al. 2004). The level of natural regeneration of either pine is also influenced by the degree of canopy openness. Since eastern white pine was reported to be much more shade-tolerant than Scots pine, it has a clear advantage for regeneration in stands with closed canopy. The contribution of introduced tree species to Czech forestry is relatively minor and the perceptions of such species vary; although it should be absent from protected areas, it could form a minor component of commercial forests. Additional research on eastern white pine in the Czech Republic is necessary in order to further evaluate its invasive potential
Trvalý link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0265516