The role of the university forest enterprise of the Technical University in Zvolen

The University Forest Enterprise (UFE) is a special-purpose facility at the Technical University in Zvolen (TUZVO). The UFE is aimed at the practical education of students, scientific research associated with all forestry activities, demonstration objects, and management of the forest fund. lt is thus possible to demonstrate several aspects of forestry such as forest management, management of forest reproductive material, silviculture, logging operations, forestry constructions and ameliorations, landscape management, game management, fishery, and beekeeping. To follow these goals, 67 permanent research plots, 18 temporary plots, and 103 demonstration objects are currently maintained at the territory of the enterprise, all connected to the network of excursion and demonstration paths. The UFE manages the forest land fund (9,729 ha) according to the needs of the Technical University, and with respect to the purpose of the enterprise, 80% of the forest area managed by the enterprise is classified into the category of specialpurpose forests. The forest land fund is composed of state-owned forest land as well as forest properties of other owners. Forest plant communities ofthe UFE belang to five altitudinal vegetation zones (298-1035 m above sea level). Broadleaved tree species evidently predominate. Due to the special focus of management, the UFE uses as much as possible the concepts of the close-to-nature silviculture. Due to varied natural conditions, it is possible to apply several silvicultural systems. The application of shelterwood and selection systems with maximum utilisation of the natural potential of indigenous tree species is strongly preferred