Long term monitoring of natural regeneration in natural forest reserves in Austria
Harald Vacik
Research in natural forest reserves provides insights about the natural dynamics that can serve as basis for sustainable forest management. The research project ELENA studied the natural regeneration in unmanaged mountain forests in seven natural reserves (Goldeck, Laaser Berg, Schiffwald, Hutterwald I and II, Kronawettgrube, Krimpenbachkessel) in Austria. The study design and results of a comparative analysis of the regeneration on 197 long-term monitoring plots will be presented. The main focus is put on the Homogyno alpinae-, Athyrio alpestris- and Adenostylo glabrae-Piceetum.