Changes and dynamics of oak-forest vegetation after release cutting in Drbákov-Albertovy skály National Nature Reserve (Central Bohemia)
Abstract
The vegetation of xerothermic oak forests in the protected area Drbákov-Albertovy skály situated in the canyon of the Vltava River was studied between 2009 and 2013. The research was focused on forest gaps arising from the management supporting a population of an endangered butterfly Hipparchia hermione.
The plant vegetation including bryophytes and lichens was explored using phytosociological relevés on five permanent sites. The species composition changed very distinctly during the time.
Only 23 to 56 % of vascular plants were recorded in the same relevé every year. Shortly after the release cutting, the number of vascular plants was observed to increase.
The newly observed groups of plants were species restricted to ruderal communities or forest clearings with a good ability of rapid dispersal, but also seedlings of trees. Later, the total number of recorded vascular plants returned close to the original state.
The main reasons for fluctuation of all recorded species are probably wetter conditions in spring and a degree of disturbance during the research of sites in the previous year. Such regular influencing of the biotope has a negative impact especially on Cladonia species.