FORESTRY AMELIORATION AS A PART OF SILVICULTURAL INVESTIGATION IN THE FOREST RESEARCH STATION IN OPOCNO

Frantisek Sach


The forestry amelioration has formed an integral part of solving lots of research projects and consultative activities from the beginning of silvicultural investigation at Opocno. The raising adverse impacts of human activities into forests and forest environment resulted in the establishment of Forestry Amelioration Section in 1987. Arrangement physical and chemical properties of soil environment, of water and soil conservation, and of silviculture encouraging the wood's hydrological functions represent main investigation themes.


The researchers of the Forest Research Station at Opocno and of the Forestry Amelioration Section has connected acquirement and assertion of findings in forestry amelioration with forest regeneration and forest stand tending. They brought new knowledge of protection of forest soil against degradation (especially by atmospheric deposition, by mechanization means, and by erosion) and in sustainability and improvement of its productivity (including soils of forest nurseries) by proper site and soil preparation and using the proper regeneration methods. Learning of ameliorative influences of special tree species and of biological improving procedures was been extended. The new information of risks of using fertilization and new information of using natural ameliorative materials (composts, rock meals, and enriched earth) has been added. The hydrological function of woods has been known better, the special partition of forest stands by its hydrological importance has been proposed and the best management practices have been recommended.