STUDIES OF TREE MICROHABITATS IN STANDS OF VARIOUS SPECIES COMPOSITION AND AGE CLASSES IN THE VMU KURŠĖNAI REGIONAL UNIT

Abstract

In this work examines the importance of tree microhabitats, significance for biological diversity and abundance dependencies. The species composition of the stand and different age classes were chosen as indicators of the abundance of microhabitats. The applied research method is direct observation, during which microhabitats were inventoried in various forest tax plots and their abundance was assessed. The obtained data were processed with the "Microsoft Excel" program and the statistical analysis program "Statistica". In open clearings, in mature and middle-aged stands, the largest part of trees with microhabitats consisted of aspen. After inventorying the trees with microhabitats in clear cuttings, according to the tree and diameter, the species was determined, on average, the highest amount of microhabitats was found on the aspen with a diameter of 52 cm. The next most common tree species is birch, almost 2 times less microhabitats were found than on sedges. After examining the results of the study, it was found that the highest amount of microhabitats, both in clear stands and mature age stands, was found on aspen and amounted to 15.15% of all trees with microhabitats. In the middle-aged stands, the dominant tree species with microhabitats is aspen and it is 1.48%. After analyzing the results of the study, it can be said that the abundance of microhabitats is influenced by the type, diameter and age of trees. The older and larger the tree, the more likely it is to find a microhabitat on it. Also, the probability increases due to the corresponding tree species, for example: significantly more microhabitats will be found on aspen, birch. A significantly smaller amount of microhabitats can be found on firs, black alders, and white alders.