Abstract
This paper investigates the influence of two key factors, abandonment of coppicing and increased pressure of ungulates, in thermophilous oakwoods. In the case of Milovice Wood, there is a marked successional shift towards species-poorer communities growing in cooler, moister and nutrient-richer conditions.
The change was significantly different in parts affected and unaffected by high numbers of ungulates yet only for herbs, not the woody species. A sharp decline in plant species typical for thermophilous woodland communities and in endangered species indicates that the original character of the woodland has been gradually lost.
Lowland oakwoods in continental parts of Europe historically depended on active management, which kept the understorey conditions light and warm. Successional processes in the 20th century caused a critical loss of species diversity at various spatial levels.