The dynamics of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) in managed forests of central Poland

Abstract

Based on data obtained from the Information System of Polish State Forests (SILP), we compiled a register of divisions with northern red oak within the area of the Grotniki Forest District. For all of these stands, the cover of Q. rubra in the tree, understory (undergrowth and shrub layer) and herb layer was determined for at least three points and then rated on a ten-point scale (1st class – 10%, 2nd class – 20%, etc.). The current distribution of Q. rubra in all forest layers was analysed with respect to the type of forest habitat and stand age. Additionally, a prosperity index of northern red oak was calculated separately for two Forest Inspectorates and for all forest habitat types. The divisions with Q. rubra in the Grotniki Forest District comprise a total area of 4 845,86 hectares, which represents 33% of the forest district’s area. In the Grotniki Forest Inspectorate 3 447,75 hectares (38% of the forested area) and in the Głowno Forest Inspectorate 1 398,11 hectares (25%) were inventoried. In all layers of the stands, the second and the third classes of coverage were the most commonly recorded, while Q. rubra covered the largest surface area in the herb layer, which confirms that this species is spread continuously in the forest district’s stands. In the Grotniki Forest Inspectorate, Q. rubra occurred most frequently in stands of the third age class, whereas in the Głowno Forest Inspectorate stands of the fourth age class had the highest rate of occurrence. The forest habitat in which Q. rubra achieved the highest prosperity index is a moderately humid mixed coniferous forest.