Dead Wood Variety in Different Forest Types in Zemgale

Dead Wood Variety in Different Forest Types in Zemgale

Līga Liepa

Dead wood is a significant component of forested ecosystems. In this comparative study the dead wood substrate availability in various small protected forest parcels in Zemgale was estimated. Measurements of standing snags, stems and downed logs were done to estimate the biological quantity and quality of the dead wood substrate. In this study, the general finding was that the dead wood availability ranges, from 38.2 to 149.5 m³ ha^-1. This study showed that moderate quantity and quality of dead wood is found in different types of protected habitats in the production forest landscape. Results from this study also support the thesis that dead wood substrate occurs in relatively large quantities. In general, the total amount of dead wood, including snags, stems and logs, are consistently available in small forest parcels providing biodiversity qualities. The largest amount of substrate availability was detected in the early stages of decay. This might be correlated with human-induced disturbances in the adjacent forest. The lack of available substrate and dynamic environmental conditions may have negatively affected the species with strict habitat requirements for stable microclimatic conditions. More investigation is needed to understand the spatial distribution patterns and to determine particular numbers for thresholds of dead wood quantities in these protected forest parcels in comparison with those in managed stands in different age classes.