Author(s):
1. Violeta Dimitrova, University of Forestry - Sofia, Bulgaria
2. Dimitar Dimitrov, Forest Research Institute,BAS, Bulgaria

Abstract:
The dead trees play an important role in the functioning and productivity of the forests’ ecosystems through influence over biological diversity, the accumulation of carbon dioxide, nutrient turnover and energy flux, hydrological processes, protection of the soils and the regeneration of tree species. The dead wood assures important habitats also. During the past years, the new settings in the national legislation, especially these related to the Natura 2000 development and management, require the quantity information about this component for the forest habitats assessment. In this regard, the objective of this study was to obtain quantitative data on stocks of dead forest biomass in beech communities in West Balkan Range. It was found total dead wood biomass stocks variation in the range of 14.48 - 41.8 m3.ha-1 as a result of studies conducted in beech stands. The standing dead wood biomass was 6.7-17.5 m3.ha-1, lying dead wood biomass was 3.4-26.5 m3.ha-1, stumps were 0.28-6.4 m3.ha-1. The observed standing dead trees were mainly from the fourth level of decomposition. The prevailing rate of decomposition for lying biomass was B and for stumps were C and D.

Key words:
dead wood, stocks, beech communities

Thematic field:
Forest ecology and conservation of natural resources

Date of abstract submission:
14.09.2017.

Conference:
Šumarska nauka u funkciji održivog razvoja šumarstva
25 godina šumarstva Republike Srpske