Natural regeneration in relation to different gap sizes

The goal of this diploma thesis was to assess the spatial and temporal development of natural tree regeneration in forest openings, in the temperate forest types of South Moravia, Czech Republic. Relationships between micro-site conditions and seedling growth were analysed, with focus on gap size, light conditions and soil environment. Ten different semi-circular gaps, ranging from 0.02 hectares to 0.13 hectares in size, were included for carrying out sampling. The sampling followed a long-term research set up in 2013 by the Training Forest Enterprise Masaryk Forest Křtiny. The regeneration census focused on identifying prevalent species and recording their density and height class, in relation to their position in a canopy gap. Beech (Fagus sylvatica), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and silver fir (Abies alba) were the prevailing target species with varied mixed compositions, suggesting management favourability towards selection systems and irregular shelterwood system due to the high functioning level of shade tolerant tree dynamics