Half a century of succession in a temperate oakwood: from species-rich community to mesic forest

0347156 - BÚ 2011 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Hédl, Radim - Kopecký, M. - Komárek, J.
Half a century of succession in a temperate oakwood: from species-rich community to mesic forest.
Diversity and Distributions. Roč. 16, č. 2 (2010), s. 267-276. ISSN 1366-9516. E-ISSN 1472-4642
R&D Projects: GA AV ČR IAA600050812; GA ČR GD206/08/H049
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60050516
Keywords : homogenization * long-term change * biodiversity loss
Subject RIV: EF - Botanics
Impact factor: 4.248, year: 2010

This paper investigates the influence of two key factors, abandonment of coppicing and increased pressure of ungulates, in thermophilous oakwoods. In the case of Milovice Wood, there is a marked successional shift towards species-poorer communities growing in cooler, moister and nutrient-richer conditions. The change was significantly different in parts affected and unaffected by high numbers of ungulates yet only for herbs, not the woody species. A sharp decline in plant species typical for thermophilous woodland communities and in endangered species indicates that the original character of the woodland has been gradually lost. Lowland oakwoods in continental parts of Europe historically depended on active management, which kept the understorey conditions light and warm. Successional processes in the 20th century caused a critical loss of species diversity at various spatial levels.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0187996