NORWAY SPRUCE PICEA ABIES (L.) H. KARST. GROWTH AND DAMAGES IN AGRICULTURAL LANDS

Abstract

The planted forest areas in Latvia are growing every year, 6.5 thousand ha were planted in 2021. Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) is one of the tree species used to afforest agricultural lands. The aim of the study is to investigate the Norway spruce growth and damage in agricultural lands. Six sites were selected in three forest types – Oxalidosa, Myrtillosa turf.mel. and Myrtilloso-polytrichosa. The data required for the study were obtained by creating five circular plots in a rectangular area with a radius of 5.64 m and an area of 100 m². Norway spruce trees were listed in each sample plot, height, diameter, damage and degree of damage were measured for all trees, as well as the growth of the last three years. The study found that forested agricultural lands with Norway spruce are heavily damaged by ungulates (red deer, roe deer), biting their leader or lateral branch, therefore the annual average height increases are variable, but the proportion of damage in different types of forest does not differ significantly. The growth of Norway spruce is different in different types of forest, the best growth results are observed in the Myrtilloso-polytrichosa, where the trees have a larger average height and diameter.