RESEARCH PROJECTS (2004 - 2008)

Research projects of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic

Stabilisation of the forest functions in biotops disturbed by athropogenic activity under changing ecological conditions
(coordinator A. Jurasek; 2004 - 2008; No. MZE 0002070201)

In the framework of reserch intention, the problematics of stabilization and sustaining of forest stands in bio-tops disturbed by anthropogenic activity in changing condition of environment is investigated. The systemic approach of the intention includes monitoring of the health condition of forest stands and environment, the study of effect of biotic factors on forest functions and consequent investigation of biotechniques and silivcultural measures of forest regeneration and tending. With respect to the extent and complexity, the research intention coordinates six interconnected partial intentions oriented on specified problems listed below:

Partial intention 05
Sustainment of forest functions by silvicultural measures with regard to changing conditions of environment (coordinator V. Černohous)
Partial intention 05: "Sustainment of forest functions by silvicultural measures with regard to changing conditions of environment" (Černohous) solves regeneration and silviculture treatments with special relation to cognition and amendment of environment, namely in mountain regions. Research of treatments protecting forest soil from degradation is preferred: low-impact harvesting practices, careful site preparation inclusive of water regime modifying, soil-conservation treatments, use of remedy matters, biological amelioration, etc. Addition and modification of management treatments use system of long-term experimental objects in a mountain and submontane regions. The partial intention concerns recent problems of plantation declining (namely Norway spruce) on sites with extreme ecotope conditions.
The partial intention divides into four thematic circles:

Partial intention 06
Thinning of forest stands in changing environment conditions with respect to forest functions (coordinator M. Slodičák)
Partial intention 06 "Thinning of forest stands in changing environment conditions with respect to forest functions" (Slodicak). According to Principles of the State Forest Policy, the partial intention 06 will be oriented on investigation of the effects of different thinning regimes (regime without thinning, positive selection from above, negative selection from below) on diversification of stand structure, age and species composition of spruce and pine monocultures with the aim of increasing their stability, biodiversity and positive effects on environment. The investigation will also be oriented on the effect of thinning on wood-producing function (quantity and quality as well as sustainability and safety of production) and on the effect of different thinning regimes on litter-fall, decoposition and consequent accumulation of biomass in forest humus horizons (Carbon fixation).
Partial intention 06 is divided into three thematic circles:

Research projects of the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic

Mountain forest ecosystems and their management with the aim to reduce floods
(solvers: P. Kantor, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology at Brno,
F. Sach, V. Cernohous, Forest Research Station at Opocno 2002 - 2004)

Catastrophic floods in Bohemia and Moravia in the last 4 years induced a renewed interest in hydrological effectiveness of mountain forest ecosystems. Intensive precipitation in mountain forest watersheds was the main cause of the floods. Four long-term field hydrological research plots are available in the Orlicke hory Mts. and the Giant Mts. In the oldest field research plot Destenska stran, all components are studied of the water balance of main tree species (Norway spruce and European beech) of mountain locations since 1976. The second research plot Ceska Cermna serves for the study of slope runoff. Differences in runoff between clear felling, shelterwood felling and a mature Norway spruce stand are studied since 1979. The third research plot, a small forest watershed U Dvou loucek, was established in 1991 for the study of soil water and runoff regulations of the watershed in the ridge part of the Orlicke hory Mts. (affected by the extensive dieback of spruce monocultures). The last research plot determined for the measurement of surface erosion on stony slopes was established in the Giant Mts. in 1988. Quantification of the intro-skeleton erosion makes it possible to detect changes in the character of soils and runoff conditions after felling induced by air pollution. Thus, long-term and continuous series of observations including measurements in the course of disastrous floods will be a background for the evaluation of management methods in mountain forests (species composition, regeneration methods, water regime regulation, intro-skeleton erosion prevention etc.). The study will make possible to determine maximum retention and retardation of precipitation in forest stands from the viewpoint of flood reduction.

Another research projects

Precipitation-runoff conditions of mountain forests and their possibilities in mitigating extreme situations - floods and drought
(P. Kantor, F. Šach, V. Černohous, Z. Karl, 2005 - 2008, NAZV no. 1G57016)

Catastrophic floods in Bohemia and Moravia during the last 7 years induced a renewed interest in hydrological effectiveness of mountain forest ecosystems. Intensive precipitation in mountain generally wooded watersheds was the main cause of the floods. On the other hand, the importance of water-management functions is perceived both in general public and in professionals during long periods without precipitation, i.e. in periods of drought. Three long-term water-management research stations are available for the project research workers in the Orlicke hory Mts. which can contribute to the study of these exceptionally serious all-society problems. In the oldest field research station (FRS) Destne, all components are studied of the water budget of main tree species (Norway spruce and European beech) in mountain locations since 1976. The second FRS Ceska Cermna serves for the study of slope runoff. Differences in runoff between clear felling, shelterwood felling and a mature Norway spruce stand are studied since 1979. The third FRS, a small forest watershed U Dvou loucek, was established in 1991 for the study of soil water and runoff of the watershed in the ridge part of the Orlicke hory Mts. (affected by the extensive dieback of spruce monocultures). Thus, long-term and continuous series of monitoring including measurements carried out in the course of disastrous floods will be a basis for the evaluation of management methods in mountain forests (species composition, regeneration methods, water regime regulation, erosion control etc.). These studies will make possible to determine maximum retention and retardation of precipitation waters in forest stands from the viewpoint of flood reduction and determination of the water regime of forest stands in extreme periods of drought.

System of valuation of socio-economic importance of forest functions including criteria and indicators of multifunctional forest management
(L. Šišák, F. Šach, V. Kupčák, 2007 - 2010, NAZV no. QH71296)

The subject matter is elaboration of methodology of valuation of socio-economic importance of forest services including criteria and indicators of multifunctional forest management. System of forest services valuation and of criteria and indicators of multifunctional forest management will be created considering economic, environmental and social aspects of sustainable development. The methodology will be elaborated in an electronic form. Available databases will be used for solution of the project, and a new database will be created in relation with the performing of the project, based on the methodology and results. The project team consists of the Czech University of Agriculture in Prague - The Faculty of Forestry and Environment (coordinator), The Forest and Game Management Research Institute Jíloviště-Strnady, v. v. i. (F. Šach, V. Černohous) and The Mendel Agricultural and Forestry University in Brno - The Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology.

The possibility of use clone mixture of Picea abies /L./ Karst. with higher resistance to stresses on anthropogenic disturbed mountain localities
(A. Jurásek, 2005 - 2009, NAZV no. 1G58021)

The aim of project is to confirm suitability and affectivity of use potentially stress tolerant clone mixtures of Norway spruce for afforestation of extreme mountain sites and their impact to sustentation and possibly increase of the stability of forest ecosystems. Health condition and growth have been compared between Norway spruce clones from selected populations or individual trees from various mountain localities to common planting stock. Comparison has been taken on mountain clear-cuts and sites with difficult forest regeneration. Inter clone and inner clone variability in chosen clones have also been evaluated in the scope of project.

Stresstolerant clonal mixtures of Picea abies /L./ Karst. destined to mountain localities
(J. Martincova, 2001 - 2004, NAZV no. QD1274)

In the autumn 2001 inventory of experimental plots established by generative and vegetative propagated planting stock vas realised. In 2002 statistic analyses were done. Rooted cuttings from last year were transplanted into nursery beds to serve as a basis for later choice of selected clones. Another cuttings were taken from chosen clones. The new planting was established on the Svetla hora locality in the Krkonose Mts. Isoenzyme analyses were done in some in more detail assessed clones. In the scope of improvement of cutting technology the double cover (white foil tunnels inside of greenhouse) during rooting was proved. The influence of location of cuttings within crown of the mother tree and the term of cutting on rooting success were also examined.

Goals and ways of monoculture Norway spruce transformation - evaluation of exemplary objects of "close-to-nature" stand management in the Czech Republic
(J. Soucek, coordinator V. Tesar, MZLU, LDF Brno, 2001 - 2004, project QD1130)

Evaluation of transformation was realized on the localities Pokojna hora (SLP Krtiny), Hetlin (Kutna hora), Stenice (Zdar nad Sazavou) a Opocno region. Samples for increment measurements (discs, cores) were taken for the evaluation of increment changes after change of management. The development of ingrowth on Stenice locality was quite different in spite of the same initial conditions. Stand differentiation corresponds to selective forest at present, this visual aspect will chage. Ingrowth in the future is going to grow up to one broad level with the mature stand. The change of assortments was studied on Opuky locality. The portion of broad trees gradually increased despite the cutting of thick mature trees.

Complex analysis of long-term changes of the tundra in Krkonose Mts. - Partial project Development of dwarf-pine stands reproduction in various environmental conditions, study of structure and development of native dwarf pine stands populations with various space and age structures
(co-solver J. Soucek, coordinator J. Vanek, Administration of Krkonose NP Vrchlabi, 2000 - 2004, project VaV/610/3/00)

Monitoring of health state: Extent of shrub damages by Thecodiplosis brachyntera is gradually decreasing, shrubs with a long-term damage die. Some unknown disease was found this year on dwarf-pine stands, disease caused to dying of the whole branches and shrubs. Analysis of rich seed crop in the previous year confirmed the importance of microclimatic conditions in the time of flowering and fertilisation on the seed quantity and quality.
Research of stand structure: Shrubs of dwarf pine stands in the locality Zadní planina were measured. Close canopy of the stands decrease the possibility of natural regeneration, the age of most shrubs is over 100 years (max. 290 years). Regeneration is mainly by branch layering.

RESEARCH PROJECTS before 2004