First Results of Monitoring of Stand Structure Changes in Unmanaged Beech Stands in NP Plitvice Lakes

A decade-long monitoring of unmanaged beech stands in Plitvice Lakes National Park reveals that, without human intervention, these forests naturally progress toward the 'optimum phase' of secondary virgin forest. The study, conducted on a 100×100m permanent plot, found that structural elements such as diameter distribution, tree density, basal area, and volume align with natural development patterns rather than managed stands. However, it also observed a decline in stand vitality, marked by an increase in dead trees and damaged individuals, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of unprotected forests. The research compared findings from 1998 to 2008, using growth-yield tables for managed beech stands as a benchmark, highlighting discrepancies that suggest natural processes may lead to reduced forest health over time.

Novotny, V., Balenović, I., Dubravac, T., Vuletić, D., & Dekanić, S. (2010). First Results of Monitoring of Stand Structure Changes in Unmanaged Beech Stands in NP Plitvice Lakes. South-East European Forestry, 1(2), 91–98. https://doi.org/10.15177/seefor.10-10