Slovenian Sites
The project will be implemented in public-owned forest areas managed by the Slovenia Forest Service (SFS).
Many of the selected forest types are within priority habitats of European Union, the main of which are listed below:
• 4070 Bushes with Pinus mugo and Rhododendron hirsutum (Mugo-Rhododendretum hirsuti)
• 5130 Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands
• 9110 Luzulo-Fagetum beech forests
• 9180 Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines
• 91K0 Illyrian Fagus sylvatica forests (Aremonio-Fagion)
• 91L0 Illyrian oak-hornbeam forests (Erythronio-Carpinion)
• 9340 Quercus ilex and Quercus rotundifolia forests 9410 Acidophilous Picea forests of the montane to alpine levels (Vaccinio-Piceetea)
• 9420 Alpine Larix decidua and/or Pinus cembra forests
The forest areas where the test areas will be selected are:
Kočevje region
The majority of forest in (treating) area are owned by Slovenian state
• Forest area: 117.996 (78,55 % of forests), study objects at Rog (managed 35 ha / unmanaged – Rajhenav virgin forest 51,14 ha) and Kočevska Reka.
• Altitudinal range: 550 662.9 m – 1500 m
• Forest types: mixed forests of fir, beech and spruce.
• Main management type: high forest with close-to nature silviculture. Forests are treated with group-shelterwood (Femmelschlag) cuttings. Long history of forest management plans (since 1893). Growing stock: 306,02 m3/ha, increment 7,31 m3/ha/yr.
• Potential annual cuttings for region: 478.577 m3.
The forests are mainly included in NATURA 2000 network.
Postojna region, Snežnik area – Leskova dolina
The majority of forest in (treating) area are owned by Slovenian state
• Forest area: 3000 ha (95 % of forests)
• Altitudinal range: 650 – 1790 m
• Forest types: mixed forests of fir, beech and spruce.
• Main management type: high forest with close-to nature silviculture. Forests are treated with group-shelterwood cuttings. Long history of forest management plans (1864). Growing stock: 405 m3/ha, increment 8.00 m3/ha/yr.
• Annual cuttings: 22.000 m3.
The forest is mainly included in NATURA 2000 network.
Tolmin region, Trnovska planota area
The majority of forest in (treating) area are owned by Slovenian state
• Forest area: 6.000 ha (95 % of forests), study object
• Altitudinal range: 650 – 1495 m
• Forest types: mixed forests of fir, beech and spruce.
• Main management type: high forest with close-to nature silviculture. Forests are treated with group-shelterwood (Femmelschlag) cuttings. Long history of forest management plans (1771). Growing stock: 350 m3/ha, increment 7.00 m3/ha/yr.
• Annual cuttings: 19.000 m3 (Local UNIT Predmeja).
The forest is partly included in NATURA 2000 network.