Monitoring of Forest Dynamics

Abstract

Tens of years or even centuries of observation are necessary to detect forest dynamics as expressed by architecture and tree species composition (Chap. 7). However, fast initial changes in structure and species composition can be exemplified in young, spontaneous willow stands in Zuidelijk Flevoland, a polder reclaimed in 1968 (The Netherlands). To detect changes in the herb layer composition long sequences of relevés of the 2 x 2 m herbaceous transect area, quadrats would be needed. The oldest relevés now in the information system were first analyzed in 1982 as the project started. Because the Neuenburger Urwald was subject to an earlier study in 1978 and was included in the information system later, data on the Neuenburger Urwald have been used for an interim analysis. The results of this earlier interdisciplinary study (soil science, silviculture and phyto-sociology) in 1978 (Koop 1981) will be briefly summarized before discussing the results of the time series.