Determination of complex ripeness in oak stands

Abstract

The object of the study was oak stands of natural origin, and the subject of the study was the complex ripeness of oak forests. Maturity was assessed by three indicators – average growth of large and medium-sized wood, seed yield, volume of absorbed carbon dioxide and released oxygen. The average growth of large plus medium-sized wood depends on the density of stands. Early technical maturity occurs in denser stands (100 years old) and later in sparser stands (160 years old). Seed yield is determined by weather factors during the flowering period and, consequently, is not related to age, but depends on stand density. Its age interval is 100–160 years. Maximum carbon dioxide uptake and oxygen release is also related to density. The greater the volume of wood, the more carbon dioxide is absorbed and oxygen is released by the stand. This indicator is associated with an age of 100–160 years. The inclusion of three additional factors expanded the concept of assessing the complex ripeness of oak woodlands. When assigning stands for harvesting, these data can be used to determine the biological and ecological losses in the oak formation.