Management of Forest Ecosystems in the Krkonoše National Park, Black Triangle Region, Czech Republic

Abstract

Management in the Krkonoše Mountains is affected by the destruction of forest ecosystems caused by emissions, and simultaneously by the necessity of protection and support of the natural values of the area, as well as other non-wood-producing functions. The situation is complicated by the ill-calculated conversion of the original forest ecosystems to the even-aged spruce stand, which was carried out in past. The soil acidification caused by the atmospheric deposition is further increased by the decomposition of the spruce litter. The priority objective of the management is a reconstruction of the forest ecosystems to a form close to that of original condition, preferring natural regeneration and processes, preservation of the gene pool of individual autochthonous woody species, preservation and support of biodiversity of ecosystems and a reclamation of the soil threatened by erosion. The region of Krkonoše has been categorized according to natural values, effects of emissions, site conditions and according to the preferences of non-wood producing functions. The composition of the tree species, as well as the technologies used are modified with respect to these categories. From an economics point of view, the management is loss-making. Not even the most urgent forestry activities can be covered using the profit from a sale of timber. A part of forestation and research focused on a success and economical as well as ecological efficiency of the realized measures is covered by the Dutch foundation Face, that “buys” the effect of the CO₂ binding in the biomass of trees. Another financial support is provided by the Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic. However, some of the important activities (preservation of the gene pool of the Krkonoše woody species, conversion of the spruce plantations which were established improperly in the course of the last 20 years) have not been funded as yet.