"Natural forests" in Europe - a very short survey

[Quercus]

survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VQQBRQF it will take you up to 3 min

Dear Colleagues,

"Natural forest" is not a clear cut concept in Europe. Putting aside the concept of "climax" we adapt a variety of criteria, according to which we define an ecosystem naturalness. Adapted models of a "natural forest" may differ, among other things, in stand species composition. The present experiment is aimed to assess the model variability within relatively uniform environmental conditions of lowland temperate Europe, rich mesic sites (broad-leaf forest habitats).

Imagine a forest in such conditions (lowland, temperate zone, rich mesic [neither dry nor wet]), which is a result of natural processes. Direct impact of man (including such in detectable past) should be excluded. This will lead to establishment of a certain set of species. The questions are not about the percent share of a species in the canopy, but about the probability with which such processes will allow a species to perpetuate there. [This paragraph was added following the advice of two Czech Colleages - Thank you!]

This is why I take liberty to ask you to participate in a short 1-3 minute quiz dedicated to professionals and students of advanced forestry, biology or environmental science courses. Please encourage also your students/colleagues to fill this survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VQQBRQF. Feel free to forward my message further to those to whom it might be of interest.

Thank you for your help and cooperation. As soon as the questionnaire results are collated they will be shared with all who are interested. The survey will be open until April 27th.

Looking forward to feedback from you, with best wishes and greetings.

Andrzej


--
Andrzej Bobiec, PhD, Ass. Professor
a_bobiec@univ.rzeszow.pl
Katedra Agroekologii i Architektury Krajobrazu
Wydział Biologiczno-Rolniczy
Uniwersytet Rzeszowski

Agroecology and Landscape Architecture
Faculty of Biology and Agriculture
University of Rzeszów
www.univ.rzeszow.pl

ul. M. Ćwiklińskiej 2
35-601 Rzeszów
tel. 0048-178721785