Analysis of forest structure, historical development, and age of old beech-dominated forest stands in the Ore Mountains

Bc. Markéta Poživilová

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This thesis focuses on the structural characteristics of beech (Fagus sylvatica) forest stands in the Jezerka National Nature Reserve (Národní přírodní rezervace Jezerka, hereinafter referred to as NNR Jezerka) and its surrounding landscape in the eastern Ore Mountains (Krušné hory), Czech Republic. The aim was to evaluate the degree of naturalness and preservation status of forest stands under various management regimes, based on dendrochronological methods and analysis of growth parameters (age, diameter at breast height, height). The research was conducted on twelve study plots, five of which are located within the reserve boundaries. Most trees fall into age categories between 120 and 200 years, confirming the presence of long-term undisturbed stands. The recorded characteristics correspond to natural forest regeneration and support the conclusions stated in the Forest Management Plan for Specially Protected Areas (OPRL), which describe these stands as close to natural forest structure. A comparison with surrounding localities revealed a slightly higher average age and stem diameter within the protected area, likely due to long-term protection and reduced human impact. The species composition is dominated by European beech (Fagus sylvatica), while the presence of Norway spruce (Picea abies) reflects historical interventions. The structure of these stands also indicates a transition from intensively managed forests toward more natural dynamics. The current forest state results not only from ecological processes but also from historical, socio-economic, and geopolitical factors, including economic crises, wartime interventions, reduced logging capacity, and legislative changes in nature conservation. The found historical documents confirm the hypotheses regarding farming in the investigated areas. A key factor was limited logging after 1869, which allowed trees to reach greater ages and develop valuable microhabitats (TreMs) supporting biodiversity. In NNR Jezerka, wood manipulation is currently restricted to safety interventions; remaining biomass is left to decompose naturally. In conclusion, the current forest structure in NNR Jezerka can be considered ecologically valuable. The findings emphasize the importance of long-term protection, especially in light of threats such as illegal logging in Natura 2000 sites or habitat loss. They also confirm that regional forest policies are moving in the right direction, particularly in supporting natural regeneration, structural diversity, and native tree species.

Keywords

Fagus sylvatica, SCI Ore Mountains, disturbance, dendrochronology, forest management

Jazyk práce: English

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 4. 4. 2026

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 1. 6. 2026
• Vedúci: Ing. Vojtěch Čada, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Tomáš Čihák, Ing., externi

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences

Master programme:
Forestry, Water and Landscape Management