The monitoring studies carried out in the southern Romanian Carpathians (Retezat and Bucegi - Piatra Craiului Mts) provide a scientific support for long term ecosystem research (LTER). Their general objective is to characterize the air pollution and its potential effects upon forest ecosystems’ status and biodiversity in close connection with climatic changes. Two monitoring networks were placed in selected forest ecosystems for each LTER site (11 plots in Retezat and 22 plots in Bucegi - Piatra Craiului, respectively). Both in Retezat and Bucegi - Piatra Craiului Mts, the distribution of mean ozone (O3) concentrations are significantly correlated with altitude. The location (plot) has a significant influence on ozone concentration and in some cases the exposure period along the growing season has an influence. Ambient ozone (O3) and ammonia (NH3) concentrations were below toxicity levels for forest trees, their health status (crown condition) and volume growth being insignificantly affected. More than 45% of the rain events were acidic with pH≤5.5, thus contributing to an increased N deposition on forest stands. In Retezat Mts crown condition was relatively better than in Bucegi - Piatra Craiului Mts. As a consequence, in 2009 European beech (
In Central Europe, since the late 1980s, levels of industrial pollutants have been considerably declining, but photochemical pollution, especially ozone (O3) and other phytotoxic agents (SO2, NO2, NH3), registered an important increase with damaging effects upon forests. At the same time the climate factors exert a permanent influence, temporal and spatial fluctuant, but determinant upon forest ecosystem status at global, regional and local scale. Simultaneous with photochemical pollution, increasing climate changes stimulated long-term trans- and inter- disciplinary researches on effects of this phenomenon upon forest ecosystems. At large scale level, various long term research/monitoring networks were developed, and the activities focused on specific aspects (
The Carpathians are one of Europe’s largest mountain ranges, a unique natural treasure of great beauty and ecological value, and home of several major rivers. They are an important ecological, economic, cultural and living environment in the very heart of Europe, and form the patrimony of many people and countries. This region is an important reservoir for biodiversity, a sanctuary for many unique habitats and Europe’s last refuge of well known large mammals (
The general objective of these research and monitoring activities in the Romanian Carpathians Mts is to characterize the air pollution and its potential effects upon forest ecosystems status and biodiversity in two LTER sites (Retezat and Bucegi - Piatra Craiului), in close connection with climate changes. The specific objectives of this paper are: i) to characterize the spatial and temporal distribution of selected air pollutants (O3, NO2 and NH3); ii) to determine precipitation and throughfall acidity and chemical composition in selected forest sites; iii) to evaluate forest health status and biodiversity of forest vegetation; iv) to asses trees and forest stands growth in relation to crown condition.
Bucegi - Piatra Craiului and Retezat Mts are located in the Romanian southern Carpathians. Bucegi NP (32.500 ha), Piatra-Craiului NP (13.800 ha) and Retezat NP (38.047 ha) are located in these mountains. In 2003, these areas were nominated as two ILTER Sites and in 2008 as LTER - Europe sites (Bucegi - Piatra Craiului and Retezat, respectively). The diversity and vast richness of Bucegi - Piatra Craiului and Retezat Massifs vegetation, with many endemic species and rich fauna which includes endangered species and unique plant communities like chamois, bear, lynx and wolf (
Two monitoring networks consisting in 11 (Retezat Mts) and 22 (Bucegi - Piatra Craiului) permanent plots (LTERp) were established in 2000 (Retezat) and 2006-2009 (Bucegi - Piatra Craiului). These plots were located within Bucegi - Piatra Craiului parks and both within and outside Retezat NP boundaries, in forest zone at elevation ranging from 800 to 1800 m (
The plot area is 0.7 hectares (
Close to the long-term research plot, at the point of local maximum altitude and maximum exposure to air wind direction (E-V) special locations (trees) for exposure of passive filters (2 replicates) for O3, NO2 and NH3 were established (
Wet and dry deposition (under canopy and in open field) was sampled on a total of 12 plots, of which 6 in Bucegi-Piatra Craiului and 6 in Retezat. In each plot, eight collectors were placed in the buffer zone, on each side of its centers, and on the same level curve (
On Retezat and Bucegi-Piatra Craiului LTER sites, the ozone concentrations were measured during the growing season (15 June -15 October) using passive samplers. In most of the Retezat NP’s research plots, the ambient ozone concentration followed an irregular distribution. At the beginning of summer (15 June - 15 July), the highest seasonal average values were registered (
Compared with the results registered in 2000-2002 period (
The ammonia concentrations (NH3) showed the lowest values at the beginning of summer, when they were < 1 μg m-3 (exception - Gura Zlata); maximum values were recorded in midsummer (15 July - 15 August). Towards the end of the season (September - October), and sometimes during it, the majority of ammonia concentrations were around 2 μg m-3, and seldom between 1-2 μg m-3 (
One-way ANOVA shows that exposure period significantly influenced the ammonia concentrations (F = 11.379, p ≤ 0.05) Location had no significant influence (F = 0.724, p ≥ 0.05 -
Relative to the 2000-2001 period, in 2009 the mean NH3 concentrations was significantly reduced from 5.92 μg m-3 (2001) to 1.97 μg m-3 (2009). This can be explained by the decreasing human and industrial activities in the area, and by high altitude pollution.
During the year 2009, Bucegi-Piatra Craiului LTER site had a decreasing distribution of ozone concentration, from 46 ppb at the beginning of the summer season (15 June - 15 July) to 29.9 ppb by the end of the growing season (15 September -15 October -
In the Piatra Craiului NP the maximum ozone concentration was recorded in mid August until September (35.9 ppb) compared to Bucegi NP when the maximum value (46 ppb) was registered at the beginning of the summer season (15 June-15 July -
In 2009, similar to Retezat LTER site, in Bucegi - Piatra Craiului an increase of ambient ozone concentrations with altitude was noticed (
One way ANOVA shows a significant influence of location and exposure periods on ozone concentrations (F = 16.950, p = 0.01 and F = 13.981, p = 0.01, respectively). Overall, during this period (2006 to 2009) the spatial and temporal variation of ozone in the Bucegi Mts was relatively low (s% = 20.6%), denoting increased stability.
Compared with the previous period (2006-2008), in 2009 the seasonal average of ambient ozone concentrations in Bucegi Mts was the lowest at most locations (except Podu cu Flori -
At these two LTER sites, representing the Southern Romanian Carpathians, the ozone values were in accordance with ranges of annual seasonal means measured in previous periods (1997 to 1999) for the Romanian Carpathians (
The average ammonia (NH3) concentrations in 2009 were low for most locations in Bucegi Mts (
Generally, in 2009 seasonal mean concentrations of NH3 in Piatra Craiului Mts were higher than in Bucegi Mts (2.38 µg m-3
During the period 2006-2009, the annual means of NH3 in Bucegi Mts were the lowest in 2007 (1.00 µg m-3). At location level, these values were between 0.66 µg m-3 and 2.46 µg m-3 (in 2006) and between 0.59 µg m-3 and 1.78 µg m-3 (in 2007). Nevertheless, the concentrations were much lower than in Retezat mountains during the period 2000 to 2002 (
Both in Retezat and Bucegi-Piatra Craiului Mts all of NH3 concentrations were below phytotoxic levels (
In 2009 growing season, S-SO4 inputs in the open field (bulk deposition) vary from 2 to about 8 kg ha-1. The highest values were measured in Bucegi NP (Poiana Stanii and Podu cu Flori LTERp -
Throughfall input of sulphate varied in relation to bulk deposition, with values from 3 to 6 kg ha-1. In the areas located far from roads and populated places, the fluxes under the canopy were lower than in the open field (Valea Podurilor and Magura, and in Gura Zlata and Judele (
As SO4 -2 shows low interaction with plant canopies (
Nitrogen input was very low and ranged from 0.2 kg ha-1 (Podu cu Flori, Valea Podurilor, Magura, and Gura Zlata) to 3.5 kg ha-1 (Poiana Stanii, located on the slope exposed to the Prahova Valley with high density of traffic). There was a similar pattern between deposition of NO3 and NH4; the range of N-NH4 being much higher than N-NO3 deposition. At different soil depths N-NO3 increased in Campusel and was nearly constant in Magura or decreased in Poiana Stanii; N-NH4 increased in soil and reached a maximum of 4-10 kg ha-1 in Poiana Stanii and Gura Zlata. Throughfall was dominated by N-NH4 mainly on plots located at high altitudes. Bulk precipitation of N-NH4 varied from 0.5 kg ha-1 to 2 - 4 kg ha-1 (
In some sites, throughfall content of NO3 and NH4 was lower than in bulk deposition (Poiana Stanii, Campusel, and Magura) possibly due to direct canopy uptake of NO3 or NH4 (
Base cations (K+, Mg+2 and Ca+2) fluxes in the growing season showed high amount of K leached from the canopy in all plots; Mg+2 showed low amounts not only in the atmospheric deposition but also in the gravitational water in soils. Ca+2 input was estimated at 5-7 kg ha-1. The throughfall Ca+2 fluxes were not very much modified as compared with those registered in the open field, probably due to reactions with acidic ions. In soil solution, the Ca+2 content was quite high, mainly in the plots located on the soils formed on limestone at Campusel (18-20 kg ha-1). On soil originated from granite parent material (Gura Zlata), the amount of Ca+2 in the gravitational water on the profile decreased from 3 to 2 kg ha-1 in the first 20 cm and increased at 7 kg ha-1 at 40 cm.
In the Bucegi - Piatra Craiului LTER site the monitoring of atmospheric depositions in the period 2006-2008 allows comparisons with the growing season 2009. The input of S-SO4 in open field was variable from 1.1 kg ha-1 (Podu cu Flori) to 3.7 kg ha-1 (Salvamont Bran) and 3.1 kg ha-1 (Poiana Stanii). No visible trend of the main ions was detected, because of the high variability due to variable weather conditions and rainfall regimes.
In comparison with the results obtained at the beginning of the monitoring program in Retezat NP (
Concerning Cl, N-NO3 and N-NH4, no significant changes were observed. Also, the input of the basic cations K, Mg, Ca was higher in 2009 than in 2000.
Using bulk depositions, throughfall and soil water collected in the growing season in these two LTER sites, it was possible to show the influence of the canopy on the mineral ions fluxes.
In 2009, 2385 and 876 trees were assessed in Bucegi - Piatra Craiului LTER-site (20 permanent plots) and Retezat (10 permanent plots), respectively. Several significant differences regarding the damaged trees population (defoliation classes 2-4, crown defoliation > 25%) were registered both among plots and between the two LTER sites (
In Retezat Mts, compared with results in the 2000-2002 period, the crown condition for all species had considerably improved from 16.1% in 2002 to 12.1% in 2009 (
Nevertheless, in 2009, some plots (Campusel Neagu, Rotunda and Baleia Stana) registered over 20% of damaged trees (
The increased share of damaged trees is explained by: degradation processes of low density and high age (more than 120 years) forest stands: extreme conditions of soil (with surfaced rocks fragments), with average to low productivity; and presence of secondary deciduous species with a very poor crown condition. Even resinous species and Norway spruce especially showed a high rate of damaged trees, because many trees were assessed at the lower limit (crown defoliation 30 - 35%) of defoliation class 2 (moderately affected damaged class). These trees showed very active migration intensity in healthy group classes (defoliation ≤ 25% -
In Bucegi Mts, compared to the previous period (2006-2008), the share of damaged trees for all species slowly decreased from 33.9% in 2008 to 28.0% in 2009 (
Also, in 2009, many trees reported in previous years with a defoliation ratio at the lower limit of moderate class (crown defoliation of 30-35% - class 2) intensively migrated in the healthy trees group class (defoliation ≤ 25%), for European beech especially (
Based on these considerations, the crown condition of forests improved in the Bucegi NP in 2009.
The ambient ozone (described as seasonal mean concentrations among locations) had no significant influence on forest health status (percent of trees with crown defoliation above 25%) in Retezat and Bucegi Mts (
The dynamics of annual average ring width was analyzed both for healthy trees (defoliation classes 0-1) and damaged trees (defoliation classes 2-3) during the entire life of selected trees. The results were relevant for most of the forest stands studied in these two LTER Sites, showing downward increment tendency of damaged trees compared with healthy trees (
Retezat and Bucegi-Piatra Craiului Mts are characterized by rich and varied vegetation, protected under special regulations in order to preserve rare and endemic species. Both sites are dominated by forests and alpine meadows, harmoniously embedded in the steep and rocky terrain and home of several glacial lakes and water courses. Across the entire area over 1100 plant species have been identified, of which many are endemic (
The research on forest vegetation across each LTER site was carried out based on a list of species organized by layers (A-trees, B-shrubs, C-herbaceous plants, D-mosses). The coverage ratio was assessed for each layer using the Braun-Blanquet method, allowing the identification of 6 representative plant communities, in each research site (
European beech (
The identified plant communities are relatively diverse, ranging from pure stands of Norway spruce or European beech to mixed stands of European beech and Norway spruce or silver fir and European beech, and having in their composition other resinous species (larch, pine) and broadleaf species (mountain maple, birch, mountain ash, etc.). The number of plant species varies between 37 and 57 in Bucegi (
In most of the pure or mixed European beech stands (European beech and Norway spruce, European beech and silver fir) there is evidence of superior richness of species compared to the Norway spruce pure stands. In a similar manner, dendrometric parameters of trees fluctuate in relation to stand structure and site type, demonstrating higher diversity in European beech and mixed stands than in Norway spruce pure stands (
Diameter diversity, diameter-height relation and age structure patterns reveal spatial variability and the value of ecological potential. Spatial variability is linked with environmental influences, especially with effects of disturbance, including pollution and climate change stressors, biotic interactions and substrate fertility. As a limited conclusion to the extent of the research plots, all the vegetation biodiversity components of the forest ecosystems are specific for the stand type’s structures and climatic conditions, and concerning the air pollution stressor, it seems there are no significant consequences on ecosystems’ biodiversity component.
In general, the air quality in the Retezat and Bucegi - Piatra-Craiului Mts was relative good during the study period.
The ambient ozone concentrations were situated under critical limits. There was no significant influence of ozone levels on tree crown condition and annual volume growth losses assessed on trees with high crown defoliation (damaged trees). The spatial and temporal O3 distribution in the area was stable. Generally location had a significant influence on ozone concentrations whereas the effect of the exposure period during the growing season was evident only in some cases.
Depositions estimated in the soil solution (collected by lysimetric plates) were generally higher than in the open field because of the accumulation of the ions in the soil layers. Along the soil profile the fluxes of the main pollutant ions decreased, while others (
Forest health status (crown condition) was better in Retezat than in Bucegi or Bucegi - Piatra Craiului region, where air pollution and anthropogenic influence have had a major effect in the close past. These forest ecosystems can be considered as moderately affected.
Variation of annual mean radial increment per defoliation group class (0-1 and 2-3) offered very good information on major negative events in the past, like very strong drought, air pollution, windfalls, human activities and inappropriate forest management.
There was no evidence of rapid environmental modifications, and furthermore no significant reduction of biodiversity. In addition, all the vegetation biodiversity components of the forest ecosystems were specific to the types of stand structures and local climate conditions, and concerning the air pollution stressor, it seems there were no quantifiable consequences on ecosystems’ diversity.
The long-term monitoring researches in Retezat and Bucegi - Piatra-Craiului LTER Sites were financed by USDA - Forest Service International Programs (2000-2002) then by the Excellence Program of the Romanian Authority for Research (2005-2008). Researches were conducted under a close and fruitful collaboration between ICAS, USDA - Forest Service, “Transilvania” University, University of Bucharest and National Forest Administration (Romsilva). Since 2009, these long-term monitoring researches continue with the support of Romanian Authority for Research under the GEDEOFOR Program and the LIFE+ Program (EnvEurope project), cofinanced by the European Commission and Romsilva. The scientific activities and main results on long term monitoring research in Retezat and Bucegi-Piatra Craiului LTER sites were presented at the 24th IUFRO Conference for Specialists in Air Pollution and Climate Change Effects on Forest Ecosystems “Adaptation of Forest Ecosystems to Air Pollution and Climate Change” in Antalya and the manuscript was written within the COST Action FP0903 Climate Change and Forest Mitigation and Adaptation in a Polluted Environment.
Permanent plots network in Retezat LTER Site.
Permanent plots network in Bucegi - Piatra Craiului LTER Site.
Design of long term ecological research plot (LTERp).
Spatial and temporal distribution of ozone concentration in 2009 growing season (Retezat NP).
Variation of ozone concentration in relation to exposure period and altitude during the 2009 growing season (Retezat NP).
Distribution of ozone concentration by altitude during the period 2000-2002 and 2009 (Retezat NP). Pearson correlation coefficient between ozone concentration and altitude ranged from
Monthly averages of the ambient NH3 concentrations in 2009 (Retezat NP). One-way ANOVA showed no significant influence of location (p = 0.697) and significant influence of time (p = 1.5E-5).
Spatial and temporal distribution of ozone concentration in 2009 growing season in Bucegi NP (left) and in Piatra Craiului NP (right).
Temporal distribution of ozone concentrations in Bucegi NP, Piatra Craiului NP and Bucegi-Piatra Craiului LTER Site. No data were collected in Piatra Craiului Mountains in the 15/06-15/07 period.
Distribution of ozone concentration by altitude in 2009 - Bucegi - Piatra Craiului LTER Site (A) and during the period 2006-2009 - Bucegi NP (B). Pearson correlation coefficient between ozone concentration and altitude in Bucegi NP is between
Distribution of ozone concentration by location during the period 2006-2009 (Bucegi NP).
Fluxes of ions (deposition and soil solution) during the growing season 2009 in Piatra Craiului N P, plot Magura (
Fluxes of ions (deposition and soil solution) during the growing season 2009 in Bucegi NP, plot Poiana Stanii (
Fluxes of ions (deposition and soil solution) during the growing season 2009 in Bucegi NP, plot Podu cu Flori (
Fluxes of ions (deposition) during the growing season 2009 in Piatra Craiului NP, plot Valea Podurilor (
Fluxes of ions (deposition and soil solution) during the growing season 2009 in Piatra Craiului N P, plot Magura (
Fluxes of ions (deposition and soil solution) during the growing season 2009 in Retezat NP, site Gura Zlata (
Fluxes of ions (deposition) during the growing season 2009 in Retezat NP, site Judele (
Fluxes of ions (deposition) during the growing season 2009 in Retezat NP, site Campusel (
Proportion of damaged trees (group of defoliation classes 2-4) for all species during the period 2000-2002 and 2009 - Retezat NP.
Proportion of damaged trees (group of defoliation classes 2-4) for all species during the period 2006-2009 -Bucegi NP.
The influence of ozone concentrations on percentage of damaged trees (defoliation classes 2 - 4 - Retezat LTER Site). R2 for linear relationship was 0.002 indicating no significant effects of ambient ozone on defoliation.
The influence of ozone concentrations on percentage of damaged trees (defoliation classes 2 - 4 - Bucegi-Piatra Craiului LTER Site). R2 for linear relationship was 0.125 indicating no significant effects of ambient ozone on defoliation.
The influence of ozone concentration on growth losses (Bucegi NP). R2 for linear relationship was 0.047 indicating no significant effects of ambient ozone on growth losses.
Dynamics of annual mean radial increment of
Dynamics of annual mean radial increment of
Research activities in Retezat LTER Site.
LTER sites | Altitude a.s.l. (m) | Main species | Growthand Yield | Crown condition | Soil condition | Analysis of needles and leaves | Deposition (bulk and throughfall) | Soil Solution | Bio-diversity | Air Quality |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Judele | 1190 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
2. Rotunda | 1180 | √ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ | |
3. OGA | 1000 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ |
4. Gura Zlata | 800 | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | |
5. Rausor | 1195 | √ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ | |
6. Baleia Sohodol | 1300 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
7. Baleia Stana | 1200 | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | |
8. Baleia Urs | 800 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ |
9. Campusel Neagu | 1100 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ |
10. Campusel | 1400 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
11. Baleia | 1600 | - | √ | - | - | - | - | - | - | √ |
Research activities in Bucegi - Piatra Craiului LTER site.
LTER sites | Altitude a.s.l. (m) | Main species | Growthand Yield | Crowncondition | Soilcondition | Analysisof needlesand leaves | Deposition(bulk andthroughfall) | Soil Solution | Bio-diversity | Air Quality |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Salvamont Bran | 1250 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
2. Observator urs | 930 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ |
3. Timen-Grofi | 1000 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ |
4. Poiana Stanii | 1300 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
5. Valea cu Brazi | 1450 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ |
6. Dichiu | 1250 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ |
7. Brandusi | 1750 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ |
8. CarieraLespezi | 1480 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ |
9. Podu cu Flori | 1750 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
10. Batrana | 1700 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ |
11. Piatra Arsa | 1950 |
|
- | - | √ | - | - | - | - | √ |
12. Valea Podurilor | 1480 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
13. Coltii Chiliilor | 1576 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ |
14. Predelut | 812 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ |
15. Magura | 883 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
16. Casa Folea | 1410 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ |
17. La Table | 1323 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ |
18. Curmatura | 1495 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ |
19. Valea lui Ivan | 903 |
|
√ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
20. Brusturet | 1432 | √ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ | |
21. Coltii Ghimbavului | 850 | √ | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ | |
22. Saua Crapaturii | 1012 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | √ |
Trees crown defoliation share for all plots in 2009 (Retezat LTER site).
Plot | Group of defoliation classes | |
---|---|---|
0 - 1 | 2 - 4 | |
Judele | 84.3 | 15.7 |
Rotunda | 77.5 | 22.5 |
OGA | 92.6 | 7.4 |
Gura Zlata | 100.0 | 0.0 |
Rausor | 91.6 | 8.4 |
Baleia Sohodol | 90.8 | 9.2 |
Baleia Stana | 79.0 | 21.0 |
Baleia Urs | 91.3 | 8.7 |
Campusel Neagu | 74.3 | 25.7 |
Campusel | 91.7 | 8.3 |
Total | 87.9 | 12.1 |
Trees crown defoliation share for all plots in 2009 (Bucegi-Piatra Craiului LTER site).
Plot | Group of defoliation classes | |
---|---|---|
0-1 | 2-4 | |
Salvamont Bran | 81.4 | 18.6 |
Observator Urs | 81.1 | 18.9 |
Timen-Grofi | 60.7 | 39.3 |
Poiana Stanii | 85.7 | 14.3 |
Valea cu Brazi | 65.4 | 34.6 |
Dichiu | 76.8 | 23.2 |
Brandusi | 45.7 | 54.3 |
Cariera Lespezi | 76.4 | 23.6 |
Podu cu Flori | 70.4 | 29.6 |
Batrana | 82.4 | 17.6 |
|
72.0 | 28.0 |
Valea Podurilor | 74.4 | 25.6 |
Coltii Chiliilor | 70.7 | 29.3 |
Predelut | 97.1 | 2.9 |
Magura | 93.1 | 6.9 |
Casa Folea | 88.8 | 11.2 |
La Table | 77.5 | 22.5 |
Curmatura | 68.4 | 31.6 |
Valea lui Ivan | 89.6 | 10.4 |
Brusturet | 94.4 | 5.6 |
Coltii Ghimbavului | 91.2 | 8.8 |
|
83.0 | 17.0 |
|
77.5 | 22.5 |
Trees crown defoliation share for the main species in 2009 (Retezat and Bucegi-Piatra Craiului LTER sites). (*): in Retezat LTER site the number of trees assessed was very small (33). The values are not representative.
Species | Group of defoliation classes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Retezat LTER site | Bucegi-Piatra Craiului LTER site | |||
0-1 | 2-4 | 0-1 | 2-4 | |
Norway spruce | 87.1 | 12.9 | 72.3 | 27.7 |
Silver fir* | - | - | 68.4 | 31.6 |
European beech | 92.0 | 8.0 | 90.2 | 9.8 |
Vegetation community types in Bucegi NP*. (*): in Piatra Craiului National Park there is not yet a complete dataset on biodiversity, since the first assessment was carried out in aestival period of the year 2009.
N | Plant community | LTERP (number of vegetal species) |
---|---|---|
1 | Salvamont Bran (42), Timen-Grofi (57), Valea cu brazi (45), Brandusi (48) | |
2 | Observator Urs (37) | |
3 | Poiana Stanii (45) | |
4 |
|
Dichiu (54) |
5 | Cariera Lespezi (46) | |
6 | Podul cu flori (49), Batrana (54) |
Vegetation community types in Retezat NP.
N | Plant community | LTERP (number of vegetal species) |
---|---|---|
1 | Campusel (11), Baleia Urs (20), Gura Zlata (6), | |
2 | Judele (36), Baleia Sohodol (12) | |
3 | OGA (21), Riusor (18) | |
4 | Rotunda (25) | |
5 | Baleia Stana (21) | |
6 | Campusel Neagu (32) |
Dendrometric diversity of trees for representative stand types in Retezat NP.
Stand type | DBH | Height | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Average(cm) | Variation coefficient (%) | Average(m) | Variation coefficient (%) | |
Spruce-stand | 24-33 | 48-88 | 19-26 | 10-26 |
Beech-stand | 25-29 | 65-161 | 17-27 | 10-35 |
Mixed-stand | 19-42 | 47-149 | 20-30 | 23-41 |
Dendrometric diversity of trees for representative stand types in Bucegi NP.
Stand type | DBH | Height | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Average(cm) | Variation coefficient (%) | Average(m) | Variation coefficient (%) | |
Spruce-stand | 17-52 | 35-48 | 13-30 | 17-21 |
Beech-stand | 27-32 | 56-74 | 20-23 | 23-51 |
Mixed-stand | 22-30 | 35-73 | 25 | 18-33 |