ORIGINAL PAPER

Abstract Natural regeneration measurements are the main silvicultural objective in overaged protective for-ests of the Bavarian Limestone Alps. While manifold problems with these stands, especially the impact of browsing, are widely recognised, the regeneration niches of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) are insuffi-ciently known. The purpose of this study was to deter-mine favourable combinations of site factors for the development of spruce in small, unfenced canopy gaps, located on Aposerido-Fagetum caricetosum albae forest sites. We recorded the occurrence of spruce saplings (as dependent variable) and of six site factors (as indepen-dent variables) on 480 0.5 m2-subplots. In addition, we estimated the coverage of six acid adapted plant species to determine correlations with the humus depth.