Influence of forest structure on the tree-related microhabitat diversity in Croatia’s primary mixed-beech forests

Colten Ray Secord

Bakalářská práce

Abstract:

Tree-related microhabitats (TreMs) are distinct structures found on living and standing dead trees that provide essential habitats for many forest-dwelling organisms. The structural complexity that often characterizes primary forests, such as large trees and standing deadwood, provides the structural basis for TreM formation. This study examined how tree species, tree size, and mortality status influence TreM diversity in primary mixed-beech forests in Croatia, across six stands in Velebit, Plitvice, and Risnjak. Data were collected from 7,310 trees composed of European beech, silver fir, and Norway spruce, and TreM richness was analysed separately for live and dead trees. The results showed that TreM richness increased with tree diameter in both living and dead trees, with a stronger relationship in live trees, although dead trees exhibited higher baseline TreM richness. European beech trees supported the greatest richness of TreMs, while Norway spruce had the highest proportion of trees supporting TreMs. Silver fir showed more intermediate ranges. Overall, the findings demonstrate that TreM richness and composition in Croatian primary forests are shaped by tree size, species identity, and mortality status, highlighting the importance of large trees and standing deadwood in supporting habitat complexity and fostering biodiversity.

Keywords

Biodiversity indicators, Habitat trees, Primary forests, Tree-related microhabitats, Forest structure, Dinaric Mountains

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 30. 3. 2026

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: Ing. Daniel Kozák, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Veronika Zemlerová, Ing.

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta lesnická a dřevařská

Bakalářský studijní program:
Environmental Engineering