IMPACT OF SHELTERWOOD CUTTING ON BIODIVERSITY. DRUSKININKAI RP, KABELIŲ FOREST DISTRICT

Abstract

The research was carried out in Druskininkai RP, Kabeliai forest district, forests, where simplified shelterwood cutting (B. Labanauskas) was carried out in 2011-2021. The aim of the study is to determine the impact of these cuttings on forst regeneration, dead wood, underbush, to assess the amount of dead wood, to assess the proportion of the target species (Pinus sylvestris) in the recovering stand, and to assess the proportion of areas that were planted with greenery after felling.

The target species, (Pinus sylvestris), was found to account for 70% of all recovering trees. Replenishment with greenery accounted for 25% of all young plant plots after felling.

It was found that after a simplified accidental deforestation, the forest itself does not always recover from the undergrowth and it is necessary to fill it with greenery. The amount of dead wood is not significantly affected by these cuttings. Underbush in areas where felling was carried out remained uniform underbush where no cutting was carried out.