Geographical forest zonation: Perspectives, history and use

Autor: Petr Dujka, Antonín Kusbach
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Forest Science, Vol 70, Iss 7, Pp 335-352 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1212-4834
1805-935X
DOI: 10.17221/5/2024-JFS
Popis: The rate of climate change advancement and its predicted impact are valid reasons for intense discourse on the topic of choosing the most suitable silvicultural and adaptation measures for the longevity and sustainability of forest communities. Changes in growth conditions of plants can be expected in both vertical (altitudinal) and horizontal (geographical) directions. The anticipated occurrence rate of these changes should, according to climate models, be higher than the natural adaptability rate of longevous tree species. This study focuses on the possibility of utilising regional geographical units of the Czech Republic (Central Europe) - Natural Forest Areas (NFAs) - for introducing the principles of assisted forest migration to national silviculture policies in order to find solutions for the predicted climate change scenarios. The primary objectives are (i) to review the history of the NFA concept, (ii) to discuss the perspectives of NFAs with regard to climate change, and (iii) to propose possible solutions for further development in comparison with alternative approaches to horizontal classification of the Czech Republic. This study is the first of its kind that provides a complete textual and graphic overview of the NFAs' history from 1959 to 2018, highlighting the purpose of NFAs as both frameworks for the maintenance of the genetic potential of forest tree species' populations and frameworks for long-term strategic management planning. Further development of the concept is discussed in connection with the main principles of assisted forest migration and the possibility of employing geospatial modellation analyses for a more precise definition of current NFA borders. An assessment of the areas' potential is also debated, mainly with an emphasis on the zonality of forest sites.
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