The paper presents the results of a study on tree regeneration of forest stands in the Černý důl Nature Reserve, which is situated in the Orlické hory Mountains Protected Landscape area in the Czech Republic. Research was conducted in a spruce-beech stand with an admixture of silver fir, sycamore maple and rowan on two comparative permanent research plots (PRPs) (PRP 1—fenced enclosure and PRP 2—unfenced). Typological, soil, phytosociological and stand characteristics of the two PRPs are similar. The results showed that ungulate browsing is a limiting factor for successful development of natural regeneration of autochthonous tree species. The population of tree species of natural regeneration on the fenced plot (PRP 1) is sufficient in relation to the site and stand conditions. However, natural regeneration on PRP 2 is considerably limited by browsing. Damage is greatest to fir, sycamore maple and rowan; less severe to beech; and the least to spruce.

Climate change is increasingly affecting forest ecosystems. Modifying the species composition towards species mixtures with a higher potential to mitigate the negative effect of climate change is one of the basic silvicultural measures. Potential economic and production impacts of these actions need to be assessed. This study therefore aims to evaluate the economic and production effect of species composition change as a result of the adaptation of forest ecosystems to climate change. The differences between the value production of Norway spruce (Picea abies /L./Karst.), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziessi/MIRBEL/FRANCO) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) on fresh soils (represented mainly by mesotrophic cambisols), and soils affected by ground water (mainly pseudogley forms of cambisols and pseudogleys) were evaluated. The study was conducted on the area of the forest enterprise of the Czech University of Life Sciences (UFE) situated in the Central Bohemia region. For a model comparison of height and volume growth of Douglas fir and Norway spruce in this area, all stands (pure and mixed) with both species represented were analysed using the data from the current forest management plan and Korf’s growth function. The course of current and mean height increments over time is very similar, yet with constantly higher annual increments for Douglas fir. In 100 years, the mean stand height of Douglas fir is 6 m larger than that of Norway spruce. Production and economic potential were also evaluated. At the rotation age, the volume and value production of Douglas fir was 30% to 50% higher than that of Norway spruce. A higher share of Douglas fir in the total forest area would lead to an important value increment of the forests in the study area. Different results were achieved by comparing the yield potential of Norway spruce with European beech, which most often substitutes spruce at middle altitudes. Beech potential yield is only 40–55% of the spruce yield level.

Due to traditional forest management, the primary goal of which is the production of raw wood material, commercial forest stands are characterized by low biodiversity. At the same time, commercial forests make up the majority of forests in the Central European region, which means a significant impact on the biodiversity of the entire large region. Saproxylic species of organisms are a frequently used criterion of biodiversity in forests. Based upon the analysis of 155 scientific works, this paper defines the fundamental attributes of the active management supporting biodiversity as well as the preservation of the production function. Using these attributes, a model management proposal was created for three tree species, which takes into account the results of research carried out in the territory of the University Forest Enterprise of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, since 2019. The optimum constant volume of deadwood in commercial stands was set at 40–60 m³/ha, 20% of which should be standing deadwood. The time framework is scheduled for an average rotation period of the model tree species, while the location of deadwood and frequency of enrichment must comply with the rate of decomposition, the requirement for the bulkiest dimensions of deadwood possible, and the planned time of tending and regeneration operations in accordance with the models used in the Czech Republic. The goal of active management is to maintain the continuity of suitable habitats for sensitive and endangered species. The estimates of the value of retained wood for decomposition can be as high as 45–70 EUR/ha/year for spruce and beech, and about 30 EUR /ha/year for oak.

Forest fires represent a natural element in the dynamics of forest ecosystems. This study investigated the impact of a large-scale forest fire in 2022 (ca. 1300 ha) on epigeic ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). The research was conducted in coniferous forests at six pairwise study sites: burnt and unburnt dead spruce from bark beetles, burnt and unburnt clear cut, and burnt and unburnt healthy sites. Each site was replicated in four plots, with two pitfall traps deployed within each plot. In total, 48 pitfall traps (6 × 4 × 2) were installed in April 2023. It was tested how individual sites affected the similarity of ground beetle communities, whether they contained similar life guilds, and how significantly large-scale fire affects the abundance of pyrophilous ground beetles. A total of 5952 individuals and 63 species were recorded. We observed a significant decline in abundance at clear-cut and dead spruce burnt sites (73% and 77.5%, respectively) compared to the unburnt sites. Conversely, abundance increased by 88% at the burnt healthy site compared to the unburnt healthy site. Additionally, significant differences in the number of species per trap and species richness diversity (q = 0, q = 1, q = 2) were found only between burnt and unburnt healthy sites. In general, the highest species richness in the comparison of all study sites was at unburnt clear-cut and burnt healthy sites. Communities of ground beetles responded considerably to the fire, differing significantly from unburnt sites, and demonstrating a high degree of similarity. The original healthy spruce stands had highly homogeneous communities. On the contrary, any disturbance (bark beetle calamity, clear-cut) resulted in an increase in the alpha, beta, and gamma diversities of the ground beetle communities. Burnt sites attracted pyrophilous species (Sericoda quadripunctata, Pterostichus quadrifoveolatus) at very low abundances, with the highest activity in the second half of the season. In conclusion, ground beetles demonstrated a strong short-term response to large-scale fire, forming specific communities. However, pyrophilous ground beetles were unable to occupy a large-scale fire area due to the initial low abundance. Understanding post-fire processes can provide important guidance for management in areas designated for biodiversity enhancement.

We studied the effects of magnesium (Mg) NPK fertilizer applied in 2000 to maturing Norway spruce (Picea abies /L./ Karst.) stands with yellowing symptoms and situated on poor acidified soils in the Šumava mountains (the Czech Republic). Long-term defoliation, nutrient content in the foliage and diameter increment were evaluated in three specific variants: yellowing trees, trees without yellowing symptoms and fertilized trees. The results indicate differences in soil characteristics, nutrient content and radial growth with response to climate. Fertilization increased Mg content and base saturation in the soil and decreased the amount of exchangeable aluminum and hydrolytic acidity. Differences were significant especially in magnesium, calcium and phosphorus contents in the foliage of yellowing trees. There was also significant difference in manganese content; yellowing trees showed deficiency in comparison with both fertilized and unfertilized healthy trees. Two years after the initial fertilization (to present), defoliation and yellowing symptoms in the unfertilized yellowing trees were more pronounced compared to other variants. These symptoms were more influenced by fertilization than foliation. The duration of significant positive effects of fertilization on diameter increment lasted for a shorter time than the effect on foliage. Simultaneously, higher sensitivity to climatic factors was observed in the fertilized trees.