Down dead wood in a montane beech forest stands on Deshat Mountain. 5. Impact of forestry management practices
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59194/MJEE25272131vKeywords:
Mavrovo, firewood, tree density, suistainable forestry, down dead woodAbstract
Down dead wood (DDW) is a crucial component of forest ecosystems contributing to decomposition, nutrient cycling, soil formation and biodiversity. Despite its ecological significance, historical and ongoing forest exploitation has led to a decline in DDW, particularly in coppice forests. This study was conducted in montane beech forests on the eastern slopes of Deshat Mountain, in the Mavrovo National Park in North Macedonia. Its aim was to assesse the impact of traditional forestry practices on the amount of down dead wood and other forest parameters. Five forest stands were selected based on differences in forest management and stand structure. In each stand, three sampling plots (15 in total) were established to assess tree density, diameter at breast height (DBH) and shrub presence. Down dead wood (DDW) biomass was estimated by recording all fallen tree logs and categorizing their decay into five classes. Tree density in the investigated beech forests on Deshat Mountain varied significantly, with the highest recorded in coppice forest (7817 trees/ha) and the lowest in old-growth forest (1356 trees/ha). DBH ranged from 3 to 85 cm, with smaller trees (DBH 3–17 cm) dominating across all stands. A significant negative correlation was observed between stand density and dead branch biomass, indicating that intensive forest use near villages has reduced DDW availability. The spatial gradient of DDW accumulation suggests that human impact, particularly firewood collection by the local community has shaped forest structure. Historical and ongoing anthropogenic influences, coupled with rural depopulation, have altered DDW dynamics, with remote stands retaining more deadwood due to limited accessibility. These findings highlight the need for forest management strategies that balance conservation with sustainable resource use.
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