Key-topic 2: Gap studies

 

This key-topic will evaluate and compare forest gaps in natural and managed forests. It will establish how different management methods, including nature-based forestry, effect regeneration, ground vegetation, soil water and nutrients in gaps in European beech forests. The principal aim is to see how management impacts on natural beech forests, what advantages nature-based forestry has on contemporary management, and what methods are suitable to naturally regenerate beech forests. The approach emphasises the use of same study sites and the same sampling system in different parts of Europe. This key-topic will combine the work of nine partners from across Europe.

 

Work packages

WP 3. Regeneration and ground vegetation dynamics

WP 4. Integrated experiments

WP 5. Plant response, climate stress (controlled exp.)