Stand dynamics of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.)-European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests during the past century: a decline of silver fir?

Uneven-aged silver fir-European beech forests in Slovenia were studied to investigate the dynamics of their structure and composition in three different study areas over the last century, with a particular focus on silver fir dynamics. The study used current and archival data from forest inventories and historic forest management maps for a period of ∼110 years. The dynamics of several structural and compositional parameters of the forest stands were also examined using a stand volume index, the Gini coefficient and a recruitment rate index. Substantial changes in diameter growth at breast height structure, stand volume, tree size diversity and tree species composition were documented during the observed period. Additionally, silver fir underwent large-scale changes. Significant differences, as well as some similarities, in forest stand dynamics were observed on a regional spatial scale. These dynamics are underpinned by a complex array of natural and anthropogenic factors; past forest use and the silvicultural systems applied, the impact of large ungulates and site characteristics seem to play important roles.