European beech, silver fir, and Norway spruce differ in establishment, height growth, and mortality rates on coarse woody debris and forest floor—a study from a mixed beech forest in the Western Carpathians

摘要: & Key message In mixed forests, coarse woody debris promotes the successful establishment and growth of conifers beech. contrast to beech fir, older spruce seedlings were only present on not forest floor. Context Coarse (CWD) is considered a suitable seedbed for small-seeded light-demanding species. Its role in enhancing tree regeneration well reported borealorsubalpinespruceforests.Lessisknown about itsrole establishment, growth, survival other species, particularly forests. Aims We analyzed CWD seedling European beech, silver Norway spruce. Methods tracked all germinants over 5 years. Results Coniferswererelativelymoresuccessfulthanbeech at colonizing CWD. The density was variable decay classes but highest welldecomposedCWD.CWD supported growthofall Beech cohorts had similar mortality rates both microsites. Spruce did survive forestfloorformorethanayear,andolderseedlingswereonly observed Fir microsites, survived better Conclusion Although three species differed their