Protection forests have an important role of mitigating the influence of various natural hazards. Only 10% of all forests in Slovenia have an indirect protection function, while 30% of them perform a direct protection role. Studyof protection efficiency of beech dominated forests in the Soteska gorge in NW Slovenia, where a main state road and railway are endangered was done. We assessed the starting impacts of the debris-flow natural hazard based on a small-scale geological survey of the terrain characteristics and local debris flow susceptibillity map. For determination of the run-out zones we used the TopRunDF model. Forest structure data was obtained from 47 sample plots where all trees with DBH ) 10 cm were measured. A detailed description and delineation of forest stands was performed. Results showed that the forests stands play a crucial role in protection of infrastructural objects. For long-term protection efficiency, spatially-explicit regeneration patches are needed in uniform forest stands. In areas where silvicultural measures could not provide sufficient protection, technical measures are needed. Since these forests have not been managed for several decades, natural disturbances are frequent. Research findings suggest that assessment and management of these beech dominated protection forests is necessary, contrary to the current practice of non-management in protection forests in Slovenia.
D.10 Educational activities
COBISS.SI-ID: 3234982Protection forests play an important role in mitigating the influence of natural hazards. In Slovenia, beech dominated forests constitute a large portion of protection forests. We studied protection efficiency of beech dominated forests in the Soteska valley in NW Slovenia, where a road and railway are endangered. The TopRunDF model was used for delineation of debris flows and the RockyFor3D model was used to assess rock-fall hazard. Forest structure data was obtained from 47 sample plots and detailed descriptions of forest stands. Our results showed which forests stands play a crucial protective function. For long-term protection efficiency, regeneration patches must be established in even-aged stands of the research area. Coarse woody debris must be salvaged from torrent streams to avoid future debris flow expansion. In some areas silvicultural measures cannot provide sufficient protection of the road and railway. In these areas we suggest application of technical measures.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 3261350Purpose of this contribution is to present examples for updated silvicultural assessment of direct protection forests based on several researches. In Slovenia silvicultural treatments are rarely used in these forests, mostly because of the lack of information about these forests and because they do not enhance forests protection efficiency. Usually these forests are left to natural development. Silvicultural treatments should be based on natural hazard assessment, forest type (site and stand conditions) and on infrastructure hazard assessment. Such assessment enables rational decisions for (non)management and simplifies silvicultural planning. Silvicultural plan must contain type (no intervention, cuttings, cutting and logging) and mode (technical specifications) of interventions, time-space dynamics of interventions and economic efficiency assessment.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 255446272