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Scrub vegetation in the Slivenska Planina Mt, Bulgaria

Marius Dimitrov* and Alexandra Alexandrova

Department of Dendrology, University of Forestry, 10 St. Kl. Ohridski Blvd., 1797 Sofia, Bulgaria. *E-mail: mariusdimitrov@ltu.bg

Abstract:

This study deals with the diversity of scrub vegetation in Slivenska Planina Mt (Eastern Stara planina Mts). On the basis of analisys of 29 relevés, the scrub phytocoenoses were classifyied into 1 association, 2 variants and 4 plant communities. They have been identified and characterized in the article. The studied communities belong to the the class Crataego-Prunetea, order Paliuretalia with alliance Buxo-Syringion and in order Prunetalia spinosae with the alliances Berberidion vulgaris and Brachypodio pinnati-Juniperion communis. The phytocoenoses belong to 4 habitat types of EUNIS, 2 habitat types of Annex I of the Habitat Directive and 3 habitat types of Red Data Book of Bulgaria, v. 3, Natural habitats.

Received: 12 April 2023 / Accepted: 26 May 2023 / Available online: 03 June 2023

Open Access: This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

(Forestry Ideas, 2023, Vol. 29, No. 1) [Download]
Downloads: 156

Structure of a riparian forests in Western Greece

Georgios Efthimiou and Panagiotis Stergiannis*

Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, Athens 118 55, Greece.
E-mails: efthimiou@aua.gr, panagsterian@gmail.com*

Abstract:

Purpose of this research was to study the structure of the riparian forests of Trichonida Lake in the Western Greece (a protected area of Natura 2000 network with Code GR2310009). The research recorded four different types of structure consisting of mixed stands of Platanus orientalis and Salix alba and pure stands of Platanus orientalis or Salix alba. The mixed stands of Platanus orientalis-Salix alba were at the stage of the medium to thick trunks. They were dominated by 80 % plane trees and belonged to habitat 92C0. In the mixed stands of Salix alba-Platanus orientalisSalix alba (60 % of the trees) appeared on the upper and middle storey and was absent from the under storey, where only Platanus orientalis occurred. In this type of structure there were also a few stems of Salix alba and Platanus orientalis in the aging phase with DBH> 120 cm. Platanus dominated at the upper and middle storey and was absent from the understorey, which was dominated by Salix. Mixed willow-plane stands resulted from penetration of willows into original plane stands, which were at their eventual dominance due to the rapid growth of willows. These stands were classified as habitat 92A0. The pure stands of Platanus were stable, multi-storieyed and at the stage of medium-sized stems. The pure stands of Salix alba were very stable (slenderness index 39) two-storieyed stands (without understorey). Platanus was the pioneer tree species, while Salix colonized the old Platanus stands and participated in all tree storeys. The intense human presence in the area has had a negative impact on the structure and dynamic of the riparian forest, leading to the risk of possible change of habitat types. It is proposed to draw up immediately a management plan, which should set limitations of human pressures, rehabilitation, restoration and protection of the structure and habitats of the forest Trichonida’s Lake with the appropriate silvicultural measures.

Received: 02 May 2022 / Accepted: 26 May 2023 / Available online: 03 June 2023

Open Access: This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

(Forestry Ideas, 2023, Vol. 29, No. 1) [Download]
Downloads: 155

A brief study on the Grey wolf (Canis lupus) diet on the Northern slopes of Central Stara Planina Mts, Bulgaria

Blagoy Koychev (1)* and Katelina Uzunowa (2)

1. Department of Forest Ecology, Forest Research Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,
Sofia, 1756, Bulgaria. *E-mail: palaearctica@gmail.com
2. Department of Animal husbandry – Non-ruminant animals and special branches, Faculty of
Agriculture, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, 6000, Bulgaria. E-mail: ky.uzunowa@yahoo.com

Abstract:

The diet of the Grey wolf (Canis lupus Linnaeaus, 1758) in the mountainous region of central Bulgaria was studied. Based on 200 excrements collected and analyzed, it was found that among wild ungulates, remains of red deer Cervus elaphus were the most frequent (20.9 %), followed by roe deer Capreolus capreolus (15.6 %) and wild boar Sus scrofa (12.6 %). The most preferable prey for wolf was the horse Equus caballus (33.5 %), and domestic ungulates consumption included also cattle (7.28 %). In the studied region, the consumption of horse biomass (34.3 %) was also the greatest, followed by that of roe deer (19.2 %) and red deer (18.0 %). Rodents, sheep, hares and wild cats are considered additional food sources for the species. It can be concluded that the studied near-natural habitat offers the wolf a diverse food base and that it benefits approximately equally from wild and domestic ungulates.

Received: 10 March 2023 / Accepted: 30 May 2023 / Available online: 09 June 2023

Open Access: This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

(Forestry Ideas, 2023, Vol. 29, No. 1) [Download]
Downloads: 154

Influence of local vegetation on soil properties in riparian habitats along the Iskar River in the region of Sofia, Bulgaria

Simeon Bogdanov

University of Forestry, 10 Kliment Ohridski Blvd., 1797 Sofia, Bulgaria.
E-mail: sbogdanovs@abv.bg

Abstract:

The aim of the present study is to trace the correlation between major types of local riparian vegetation and soil properties under their slope in a section along the Iskar River. The objects of study were Alluvial Fluvisols spread on the territory between Plana and Lozenska Mountains in the area of Kokalyane village, Sofia region. In order to investigate the influence of vegetation on soil properties, 3 representative sample plots were defined with vegetation in the initial stage, composed respectively of annual grass communities in SP-1, in an advanced stage composed of perennial grass communities in SP-2 and in the final stage – a tree community with a distinct tree floor in SP-3. The obtained data show а significant soil properties alternation depending on the specifics of plant communities. The increase of soil organic matter under the different types of vegetation follows the natural successional order – from an initial stage with annual grass communities to stable tree communities with a clearly defined floor structure. The content of soil organic matter, total N and plant available water capacity are the most reflective indicators showing the importance of plant communities for the formation and changes of soil fertility. The statistically proven differences in the values of these indicators point out the role of vegetation in soil formation processes.

Received: 31 January 2023 / Accepted: 12 June 2023 / Available online: 14 June 2023

Open Access: This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

(Forestry Ideas, 2023, Vol. 29, No. 1) [Download]
Downloads: 175

Physical and mechanical properties of Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud. wood under the conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Andrii Ivaniuk (1), Vasyl Zayachuk (1), Roman Lysiuk (2)*, Taras Kharachko (1),
and Mykola Lisoviy (1)

 

1. Ukrainian National Forestry University, Lviv, Ukraine.
2. Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine.
*E-mail: pharmacognosy.org.ua@ukr.net

Abstract:

The forest raw material base of Ukraine needs a long-term recovery, caused by current shortage of wood and in the long-term perspective, as well. One of the ways to solve this problem is to create plantations of Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud., which are able to accumulate in a very short time a significant stock of wood, suitable for industrial use. Determination of the physical and mechanical properties was carried out on samples of standard sizes. It has been established that the density of paulownia wood, grown under the conditions of the Western Forest Steppe of Ukraine, ranges from 329–342 kg·m-3 (sapwood, heartwood) to 416 kg·m-3 (middle part between the sapwood and heartwood). Under the conditions when only air moisture influences the wood, the moisture content increases up to 12.9 %. Static bending strength, compressive strength parallel to grain, static hardness, modulus of elasticity of sapwood and heartwood parts of the trunk are characterized by minimum values, and the middle part (between the sapwood and heartwood) – by maximum ones. Therefore, in terms of appearance and texture, the wood has the most similarity with the wood of common ash; considering its density value, paulownia wood resembles the wood of Norway spruce and silver fir, but due to lower moisture absorption and the content of tannins, it is more resistant to decay than the mentioned species; the middle part according to some mechanical indicators is close to common pine wood, therefore, it can be widely used in building industry. Paulownia tomentosa wood is advisable to be used as a promising material for the production of firewood and wood pellets. The data we have obtained can be taken into account by specialists in the woodworking, furniture and agricultural industries when planning the creation of plantations and the use of its wood.

Received: 29 April 2023 / Accepted: 27 June 2023 / Available online: 04 July 2023

Open Access: This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

(Forestry Ideas, 2023, Vol. 29, No. 1) [Download]
Issues: 1-5 | 6-10 | 11-15 | 16-16