Wind disturbances shape old Norway spruce-dominated forest in Bulgaria

摘要: Abstract Correct knowledge of disturbance ecology is essential for understanding the characteristic behavior forest ecosystems and guiding appropriate management strategies. However, role natural disturbances in shaping European mountain has not been adequately studied, possibly because perception that development most forests primarily shaped by human influences and/or fine-scale gap-phase dynamics. In present study, we investigate long-term history old protected dominated Norway spruce Parangalitsa Reserve, Bulgaria. We used aerial photo interpretation dendroecological methods to reconstruct wind, insect, fire across a topographically complex landscape. Over past 150 years wind important agent this ecosystem at least 18% forested area shows evidence high-severity blowdowns. Windthrow patches ranged size from 10 ha (minimum 0.11 ha, mean 0.16 ha, maximum 10 ha). Although small were much more frequent, few larger blowdowns accounted disturbed area. Pure coniferous single-cohort affected than mixed coniferous–deciduous multi-cohort patches. bark beetle ( Ips typhographus ) populations large enough cause mortality some live trees, did grow epidemic proportions during recent decades. Fire was limited importance last 200 years only two (4% study area) showed fire. The research indicates have these over decades centuries. Thus, appear integral normal function structure Picea -dominated region such events, themselves, do represent unhealthy conditions or environmental emergencies. Management strategies aim maintain within range variation should incorporate into strategy. frequency magnitude future may be considered historical framework described current assess potential effects climate change on altered regimes.