Mountain Landscape Dynamics after Large Wind and Bark Beetle Disasters and Subsequent Logging—Case Studies from the Carpathians

Abstract

High winds and the subsequent infestation of subcortical insect are considered to be the most extensive types of large natural disturbances in the Central European forests. In this paper, we focus on the landscape dynamics of two representative mountain areas of Slovakia, which have been affected by aforementioned natural disturbances during last two decades. For example, on 19 November 2004, the bora caused significant damage to more than 126 km2 of spruce forests in the Tatra National Park (TANAP). Several wind-related events also affected sites in the National Park Low Tatras (NAPALT). Monitoring of related land cover changes during years 2000–2019 was based on CORINE Land Cover data and methodology set up on satellite and aerial images interpretation, on detailed land cover interpretation (1:10,000) for the local case studies, as well as on the results of field research and forestry databases. The dynamics of forest recovery are different in the clear-cuts (usually with subsequent tree planting) and in the naturally developing forest. The area in the vicinity of Tatranská Lonmnica encroaching on the Studená dolina National Nature Reserve in TANAP represents a trend of the gradual return of young forest. The area of Čertovica on the border between NAPALT and its buffer zone are characterized by an increase in clear-cut sites with potentially increasing soil erosion risk, due to repeated wind disasters and widening of bark beetle. Proposed detailed, large-scale approach is being barely used, when considering recent studies dealing with the natural disturbances.