Forest biomass dynamics of temperate mountain forests in Central and Eastern Europe.

Dheeraj Ralhan, MRes. BSc (Hons)

Doctoral thesis

Abstract:

This thesis addresses how heterogeneous conditions, characterised by various tree sizes and uneven age distributions, contribute to the stable carbon-carrying capacity of primary forests. It explores how the diversity of tree genera, size distribution, natural disturbances, age, and abundance contribute to forest heterogeneity. Furthermore, the study investigates the relationship between biomass carbon and site-specific factors (both biotic and abiotic) that influence biomass accumulation across the Carpathian primary forests. The thesis emphasises the importance of primary forests as a stable carbon reservoir and the continued protection to safeguard them into the future. 1. To investigate the effects of natural disturbance regimes, tree age, and environmental conditions on forest biomass, this study focused on primary forests with minimal direct human impacts. 2. To investigate the roles of tree structure and genus-level diversity in determining biomass carbon storage in temperate forest ecosystems. Investigating the relationships that influence biomass and forest heterogeneity regarding the range of tree genus diversity and structural complexity across the primary mountain forests. 3. Investigating whether primary forests continue to accumulate carbon or whether the stocks reach equilibrium. Assessing the amount of survival, growth, mortality, and the transfer of carbon from the live to dead biomass pools across the temperate montane primary forests.

Keywords

Biomass distribution, Carbon carrying capacity, Biomass carbon stock, Ecosystem functioning, Forest composition, Primary Forest dynamics, Tree size distribution

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 3. 10. 2024

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: prof. Ing. Miroslav Svoboda, Ph.D.
• Reader: Viliam Pichler, externi, David Janík, externi, Jakub Černý, externi

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences

Doctoral programme / field:
Forestry Engineering / Forest Biology