Zbornik gozdarstva in lesarstva 68, s. 77 ~ 96 
GDK 176.1 Castanea sativa Mill. +222+6 ll :( 450) 
Prispelo/ Received: 19.03.2002 
Sprejeto/ Accepted: 05.07.2002 
Izvirni znanstveni članek 
Original scientific paper 
ALTERNATIVE SIL VICULTURAL OPTIONS FOR CHESTNUT 
COPPICE STANDS: EVALUATION OF SUSTAINABILITY BY 
SIL VICUL TURAL AND ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 
Maria C. MANETTI*, Emilio AMORINI°, Andrea CUTINI* 
Abstract 
In Italy, chestnut coppice is one of the most important forest types, due both to its extensive coverage and the 
high average productivity of stands. Socio-economic changes occurring in the last decades led, on one band, to 
the abandonment of a considerable part of the coppice area and, on the other, to the increase in demand for high 
quality wood of various types. On this basis, the traditional management of chestnut coppices was reconsidered 
and new management systems, based on the adoption of long rotation periods, were proposed. This paper 
analyses two silvicultural model s for chestnut coppices based on 30 and 50 year rotation periods and early, 
frequent, Jow-heavy thinnings as well as the consequences of their application at the bio-ecological leve!, by 
means of changes induced on stimd structure and functionality. 
Key words: chestnut coppice, forest management, thinnings, productivity, 
sustainability, sustainable management, Italy 
ALTERNATIVNE GOJITVENE MOŽNOSTI V KOSTANJEVIH 
PANJEVCIH: OCENA TRAJNOSTI Z GOJITVENIMI IN EKOLOŠKIMI 
INDIKATOR// 
Izvleček 
Upoštevaje razširjenost in visoko povprečno produktivnost sestojev so kostanjevi panjevci med 
najpomembmefšimi tipi gozda v Italiji. Socio-ekonomske spremembe zadnjih desetletij imajo za posledico 
opuščanje gospodarjenja v precejšnjem delu panjevcev ob hkratnem povečanju povpraševanja po različnih 
vrstah visoko kakovostnega lesa. Zavoljo teh sprememb je bil predlagan nov sistem gospodarjenja s 
kostanjevimi panjevci, ki temelji na dolgih časih obhodnje. V članku sta analizirana dva gojitvena modela za 
panjevce kostanja, ki temeljita na 30- in 50-letnf obhodnji ter na zgodnjih, pogostih in zmernih redčenjih. 
Obravnavane so posledice uporabe teh gojitvenih modelov na bioekološki ravni, upoštevaje spremembe 
strukture in funkcionalnosti sestojev. 
Ključne besede: kostanjev panjevec, gospodarjenje z gozdom, redčenje, produktivnost, 
trajnost, trajnostno gospodarjenje, Italija 
• Istituto Sperimentale per la Selvicoltura, Viale Santa Margherita 80, $2100 Arezzo, ltaly 
78 
Zbornik gozdarstva in lesarstva, 68 
1 INTRODUCTION 
CONTENTS 
VSEBINA 
UVOD ................................................................................................ 79 
2 MATERIALANDMETHODS 
MATERIAL IN METODE ................................................................ 80 
3 RESULTS 
REZULTATI ...................................................................................... 85 
4 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS 
RAZPRAVA IN ZAKLJUČKI .......................................................... 92 
5 POVZETEK ...................................................................................... 93 
6 REFERENCES 
VIRI .................................................................................................... 94 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
ZAHVALA ......................................................................................... 96 
79 
Manetti, M C., Amorini, E., Cutini, A.: Alternative silvicultural options for ... 
1 INTRODUCTION 
UVOD 
In the last decades, environmental, socio-economic and political reasons have led to a 
renewed interest in the forestry of the chestnut tree. The species is able to give diverse, 
high quality and ecologically compatible wood assortments such as sawed logs, 
differently sized poles and bioengineering materials. No wood products (fruits, tannin, 
honey) or other functions (landscape, habitat, tourism, tire prevention, hydro-geological 
regulation, soil protection) represent important additional elements. In the meantime, a 
sound management of chestnut forests can contribute to re-launching the economies in 
rural mountain and hilly areas (BOURGEOIS 1992, EVERAD / CHRISTIE 1995). 
The exploitation of chestnut coppice and the elaboration of management models, as well 
as altematives to short rotation periods, have been analysed to exploit the economic 
potential ofthe species and at the same tirne to guarantee stand functionality and stability. 
These themes have been investigated by the Istituto Sperimentale per la Selvicoltura 
(ISS) since the end ofthe 70's (AMORINI / GAMBI 1977, AMORINI / BRUSCHINI / 
MANETTI 1996, AMORINI / MANETI! 1997). The traditional system often coincided 
with short rotation coppicing for the production of poles. Some exceptions set in the past 
(PA TRDNE 1936) are not suitah le in the present context, mainly due to the small 
quantity of the yield removed during the thinning practices. In this context, management 
models based on the extension of the rotation and the application of relatively frequent, 
low and moderate-heavy thinnings can be a good option for increasing wood quality, in 
keeping with the demands of the ownership and both the needs of a sustainable 
development and tourist - environmental values (AMORINI / BRUSCHINI / MANETTI 
1997, CUTINI / F ABBIO 1997). 
The concept of sustainability is a controversial issue even in its definition (LUST / 
NACHTERGALE 2000). The term is so imprecise and ambiguous that, depending on 
various interests, scales and political intentions, it can have different meanings and 
focuses (OESTEN 1995, DI CASTRI 2000). Its application to forestry was fashionable 
even if putting this concept into practice is difficult. Therefore, sustainability in 
silviculture is often linked to an alternative way of managing forest stands in which the 
economic aspect is considered a real benefit when ali the functions attributed to the 
82 
Zbornik gozdarstva in lesarstva, 68 
balanced and functional dominant storey. An important requisite for their applicability is 
represented by a good to excellent fertility, since the high degree of cultivation suggests 
managing only when it is possible to maximise the capacities of the species. 
6000 40 
30 
4000 
-: -: 
"' 20 l ..C:
z ""s 
2000 
10 
o -o 
10 15 22 30 37 44 50 
Age (yrs) / Starost (let) 
--~~~-
1 
---~ 
1 
6000 7 :- 40 
i ! 
30 
4000 
-: 
"' 20 jg ..C:z s 
2000 
10 
o o 
10 15 22 30 37 44 50 
Age (yrs) / Starost (let) 
Figure l: Medium (top) and Long (bottom) Rotation Models for Chestnut Coppices. 
Variation of number of shoots (-•-) and basal area (black bar - basal area 
before thinning; white bar - basal area after thinning) as a function of age and 
silvicultural treatment. 
Slika 1: Modela s srednje-dolgo (zgoraj) in dolgo (spodaj) obhodnjo za kostanjeve 
panjevce; prikazane so spremembe števila poganjkov (-•-) in temeljnice (črni 
stolpci - temeljnica pred rečenjem; beli stolpci - temeljnica po redčenju) v 
odvisnosti od starosti ter gojitvenih ukrepov 
83 
Manetti, M. C., Amorini, E., Cutini, A.: Alternative silvicultural options for ... 
2.2 SILVICULTURAL ANO ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 
GOJITVENI IN EKOLOŠKI INDIKATORJI 
The sustainability of the models was evaluated by means of qualitative and quantitative 
silvicultural and ecological indicators. More precisely, the impact of thinnings was 
appraised on stand productivity, growth increment, social reorganisation, and 
characteristics ofthe canopy cover of differently old coppices (AMORINI / BRUSCHINI 
/ MANETTI 2000, CUTINI 2000). 
The dendrometrical variables considered as quantitative indicators were: number of 
shoots (N), basal area (BA), basal area current increment (BAI) and mortality rate (M). 
These represent the most important and easily measured variables able to characterise 
tree density and productivity of a forest, as well as being able to evaluate stand dynamics 
as a function of natura! evolution or silvicultural treatment. Among the qualitative 
indicators, the social structure analysis - the role of the dominant component (D) 
particularly - was chosen as a parameter able to assess both the stand complexity and the 
social rearrangement as a function of tirne and thinning practices. Ecological indicators 
such as transmittance (t, radiation measured below the canopy as a percentage of total 
incoming radiation above the canopy) and Ieaf area index (LAI), allowed evaluation of 
the stand functionality and stability, and verification of the response to heavy and 
frequent thinnings in terms of canopy cover restoration. 
2.3 THE STUDY AREA 
OBMOČJE RAZISKAVE 
The experimental sites are located on Monte Amiata (Central Italy - latitude 42° 53' N; 
longitude 11 ° 40' W), a forest district characterised by a wide area of chestnut stands 
(3.500 hectares), a significant part under puhlic ownership (20 %), a dynamic, innovative 
and diversified management, and the presence of specialised and qualified manpower. 
Two coppice stands were considered: a young coppice (YC) and an older coppice (AC) 
11 and 34 years old, respectively, at the beginning ofthe study (1993). The stands are on 
good sites, located at 850 m a.s.t, with south-south-westem exposure, a 6-8° slope and 
84 
Zbornik gozdarstva in lesarstva, 68 
on rich soils from the volcanic substratum. The climate is mountainous-Mediterranean 
(annual rainfall"" 1.547 mm; annual average temperature 10°C) with a dry summer and 
rainfall concentrated in autumn and winter. Both the experimental areas matched the 
principal requisite ofhigh fertility and productivity. 
In both cases, two experimental plots were defined, one of control and one in which the 
thinning was applied according to the proposed models. Thinnings were carried out at 11 
and l 7 years in the young coppice and at 15 and 35 years in the older coppice. 
The stands were characterised before thinning ( 1993 at 11 yrs YC; 1994 at 35 yrs AC) by 
means of permanent plots in which the dendrometrical (number of living and dead stools 
and shoots, dbh, height) and ecological (transmittance, LAI) variables were measured. 
Indirect estimates of LAI were collected with the LAI 2000 Plant Canopy Analyzer 
(PCA, Li-Cor, Lincoln, NE, USA). The instrument is used to assess both temporal and 
spatial variations and to compare different stands (CUTINI / MA TTEUCCI / 
SCARASCIA-MUGNOZZA 1998). The PCA measures light captured by a fish-eye lens. 
Light measurements are made using five concentric light-detecting silicon rings, 
sampling five concentric sky sectors (with a central zenith angle of, respectively, 7°, 23°, 
38°, 53°, 68°). LAI is estimated by an inversion model comparing the transmittances, 
calculated simultaneously for each sky sector, measured above and below the canopy. In 
all the plots, a measurement cycle consisted of a reference measurement and nine below-
canopy readings. The reference measurements were collected in large clearings or open 
areas near the experimental plots at the beginning of each cycle. The below-canopy 
measurements were carried out in each plot along permanent transects. All measurements 
were taken under conditions of totally diffuse light, with the sun at or below the horizon 
to avoid confusing brightly sunlit leaves for gaps. Furthermore, in order to avoid rapid 
and transient changes in sky conditions between reference and below-canopy readings, 
cloudless or uniformly overcast days were chosen. For each stand, 3-5 cycles of 
measurement were performed under full closed canopies. PCA LAI estimates were 
derived by the C2000 LI-COR software built into the instrument; the software was also 
used to post-process the data in order to make corrections and further evaluation. 
85 
Manetti, M C., Amorini, E., Cutini, A.: Alternative silvicu/tura/ options for ... 
Light measurements in the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) waveband (0.4-0.7 
µm) were taken by a Sunfleck Ceptometer SF 80 (Decagon Devices Inc., Pullman, W A, 
USA), a linear quantum sensor (CUTINI 2001). In each experimental plot, nine light 
measurements were collected at fixed points, on sunny days near noon, local solar tirne. 
At each sampling point, four instantaneous measurements were taken holding the 
ceptometer horizontally and pointing toward the four cardinal directions. At the 
beginning and at the end of each measurement cycle, a reference measurement was 
collected in a large clearing nearby. For each measurement cycle and plot, the below 
canopy measurements were related to the reference values to calculate transmittance. 
Mean stand transmittance measured at each survey and in each plot was considered for 
statistical analysis. 
Stand structure was evaluated by permanent transects defining spatial distribution of each 
shoot, individual social rank (four classes: dominant, codominant, subdominant, 
dominated), crown area (by four radii according cardirial directions), and crown length. 
Surveys were also repeated after thinning and - in order to evaluate the effects of 
silvicultural treatment - on January 2000 for YC and on January 1998 for AC. 
3 RESULTS 
REZULTATI 
3.1 QUANTITATIVE INDICATORS 
KOLIČINSKI INDIKATORJI 
In the young coppice (Figure 2), the control plot recorded a high mortality (M = 29%) 
and a good rhythm of growth (BAi = 2,18 m2 ha· 1 y·1) during the observation period (11-
17 years ). In thinned stand, the silvicultural practice markedly reduced mortality rate (M 
= 1,8%) and conversely, it slightly increased basal area current increment (BAI = 2,33 m2 
ha·1 y·•). Thinning eliminated 58% of the shoots and reduced 1/3 of the total basal area, 
decreasing the competition within and among stools and concentrating the growth on a 
few shoots. It is noteworthy that six years after the thinning, the basal area completely 
recovered. The second thinning was then carried out in winter of 1999-2000 according to 
86 
Zbornik gozdarstva in lesarstva, 68 
the criteria from the medium rotation model. The number of shoots and basal area were 
reduced by 47% and 30% respectively. 
1 nha· 1 Unthinned plot/ Neredčena ploskev 
1 4000 50 
o -+----- ------ -------+- o 
11 Age (yrs) / Starost (let) 17 
Eiiiiiiil Shoots number / število poganjkov ---- Basal area / Temeljnica 
M= 28,8 % BAi = 2,18 m' ha·1 y'1 
4000 
3200 
2400 
1600 ~ 
800 
o 
Thinned plot/ Redčena ploskev 
IIBT \JAT 17BT 17AT 
Age (yrs )/ Starost (let) 
50 
40 
30 
20 
10 
o 
liliiililiil Shoots number / Število poganjkov _.,_ Basal area / Temeljnica 
M= J,,_:c8_:.%_-,_o _________ BA_l_=_2C'-,3---'3_m_2 _ha_·
1
--'-y_·
1 
__ _ 
Figure 2: Young coppice - Number of shoots and basal area per hectare in the two 
inventories, both in unthinned and in thinned plots before (BT) and after (A T) 
thinning. Basal area increment (BAI) and mortality rate (M) are also reported. 
Slika 2: Mladi panjevci - število poganjkov in temeljnica na hektar na dveh ploskvah 
(neredčeni ter redčeni) pred (BT) in po redčenju (AT); prikazana sta tudi 
temeljnični prirastek (BAi) in odstotek smrtnosti (M) 
The same dynamics can be observed in the older coppice (Figure 3), but with slower 
rhythms. The effects of the treatment on stand productivity are underlined by the values 
of basal area current increment recorded in the control and thinned plots (O, 7 vs. l, l m2 
87 
Manetti, M.C., Amorini, E., Cutini, A.: Alternative silvicultural optionsfor ... 
ha·1 y· 1). Despite the short period between the two inventories (3 years), the thinned stand 
showed good reaction to the heavy thinning (46% ofthe shoots and 34% ofthe basal area 
removed). Thinning improved the performance both at stand and at single tree level. 
n ha·' Unthinned plot/ Neredčena ploskev m
2 ha·' 
1500 • • 51 
1000 34 
500 17 
o o 
35 Age (yrs) / S/orosi (lel) 38 
- Shoots number / Število poganjkov ........ Basal area / Temeljnica 
M=2.l % BAI = 0,67 m2 ha·1 / 
Thinned plot / Redčena ploskev 
1500 51 
1000 34 
500 17 
o o 
35BT 35AT 38 Age (yrs)!Starost (le/ 
- Shoots number / Število poganjkov -e- Basal area / Temeljnica 
M= O.O% BAI = 1,08 m2 ha-1 f 1 
Figure 3: Older coppice - Number of shoots and basal area per hectare m the two 
inventories, both in unthinned and in thinned plots before (BT) and after (A T) 
thinning. Basal area increment (BAi) and mortality rate (M) are also reported. 
Slika 3: Starejši panjevci - število poganjkov in temeljnica na hektar na dveh ploskvah 
(neredčeni in redčeni) pred (BT) in po redčenju (AT); prikazana sta tudi 
temeljnični prirastek (BA/) in odstotek smrtnosti (M) 
88 
Zbornik gozdarstva in lesarstva, 68 
3.2 QUALITATIVE INDICATORS 
KVALITATIVNI INDIKATORJI 
The importance of the dominant storey was evaluated in young and older coppices both 
in thinned and unthinned plots (Figure 4). In the unthinned young coppice, the increase of 
the dominant social class in tirne (from 34 to 48% of the basal area) was due to the high 
mortality rate in the dominated storey. Conversely, thinning almost entirely eliminated 
the dominated and sub-dominated shoots (99 and 80% respectively), reduced the co-
dominant class (34%) and, with selective criteria, the dominant one (13%). This explains 
the apparent increase of dominant class immediately after the thinning. The rapid social 
rearrangement, due to the fast growth and the characteristics of light-demanding species, 
allowed the re-equilibrium between the two treatments (unthinned and thinned). Six years 
after thinning, the dominant shoots maintain the same consistency (from 47 to 45%), 
while the co-dominant class decreases from 47 to 27%. 
~ 
~ 
"' .:,l
~ 
"' l:: 
~ 
-----"' 1:! 
"' 
'" '"' a:i
100 
80 
60 
40 
20 
o 
--, 
Young coppice 
Mlajši paryevci 
11 BT 11 AT 
• Unthinned / Neredčeno 
Aged coppice 
Starejši panjevci 
17 Age / Starost 35 BT 35 AT 
(yrs) (let) 
38 
O Thinned / Redčeno 
Figure 4: Percentage of basal area of the dominant storey in young and older coppice as 
a function of age and silvicultural treatment (BT before thinning, A T after 
thinning). 
Slika 4: Odstotni delež vladajočega sloja v temeljnici sestoja v mlajših in starejših 
panjevcih v odvisnosti od starosti ter negovalnih ukrepov (BT pred redčenjem, 
AT po redčenju) 
89 
Manetti, MC., Amorini, E., Cutini, A.: Alternative silvicultural optionsfor ... 
35 years - BT 
Canopy cover = 85% 
Overlapping = I 36% 
Mean Crown Area 
dominant = 22,5 m2 
35 years - AT 
Canopy cover = 68% 
Overlapping = 86% 
Mean Crown Area 
dominant = 22,9 m2 
38 years 
Canopy cover = 76% 
Overlapping = 99% 
Mean Crown Area 
dominant = 27,4 m2 
Figure 5: Stand structure dynamics of an older coppice asa function of age, silvicultural 
treatment (BT before thinning, AT after thinning) and social rank 
(D=dominant, CD=codominant, Sd=subdominant, d=dominated). 
Slika 5: Dinamika spreminjanja strukture sestoja v starejšem panjevcu v odvisnosti od 
starosti, gojitvenih ukrepov (BT: pred redčenjem; AT: po redčenju) in 
socialnega položaja (D: vladajoč; CD: sovladajoč; Sd: podvladajoč; d: 
obvladan) 
In the aged stands, the importance of the dominant storey is greater (more than 70% in 
basal area), but the slower dynamics did not allow substantial changes in the control 
90 
Zbornik gozdarstva in lesarstva, 68 
stand during the observation period. The low-thinning totally eliminated the dominated 
shoots (100%), reduced the sub-dominant (88%) and codominant (68%) ones and almost 
entirely released the dominant storey (18% removed). The fast social reorganisation 
determined the reduction of dominant social class (from 93 to 87% of the basal area) just 
three years after thinning. 
Stand structure analysis of the thinned older coppice (Figure 5) highlighted a simplified 
organisation as shown by canopy cover and crown overlapping recorded at 35 years 
(before thinning). The difference between the two indexes characterises the complexity 
degree of a stand; in this case, the difference is not so evident as shown in other stands 
and species (GUIDI / MANETTI 1997). This is a consequence of the bio-ecological 
characteristics (fast growth, light demand, rapid social reorganisation). Therefore, the 
simplifying action of thinning is sustainable for the natural tendency of the species to 
establish monoplane structures. Thinning notably reduced canopy cover. Regardless, the 
stand was able to partially recover in only three vegetation seasons. The positive and 
dynamic evolution of the stand was also shown by the increase of the medium crown 
area. 
3.3 ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 
EKOLOŠKI INDIKATORJI 
The ability to restore forest canopy cover after frequent and heavy thinnings was 
analysed by means of transmittance ( t) and Leaf Area Index (LAI) measurements. In the 
young coppices (Figure 6), the effect ofthinning is evident in the first years where values 
are significantly different. Differences tend to nullify themselves in a short tirne. 
Transmittance in the older coppices was higher than in young stands, due to the lower 
complexity of the vertical structure. Thinning notably increased transmittance (from 4,4 
to 21,9%) but the ability to recover was less evident than in young coppices as shown by 
other silvicultural indicators. 
The opportunity of frequent thinnings is underlined by the rapid recovery of canopy 
characteristics in both stands: after thinning LAI values were 4,2 (young coppice) and 2,3 
(older coppice) m2 m·2 ; four vegetative seasons later, the young coppice was 5,4 and the 
91 
Manetti, M.C., Amorini, E., Cutini, A.: Alternative silvicultural optionsfor ... 
older coppice was 6,0 m2 m·2• Such values were similar to those recorded in the control 
plots (4,8 in the young coppice and 5,7 m2 m·2 in the older coppice). 
30 
Young coppice / Mlajši panjevci 
20 
a 
10 
a 
o 
95 96 97 98 
Year / Leto 
30 
a 
Aged coppice / Starejši panjevci 
20 a 
a 
:::e o 
"" 
a 
10 
a 
o 
95 96 97 98 
Year / Leto 
Figure 6: Mean values of transmittance (r) of unthinned (white bars) and thinned (dark 
bars) plots established in young and aged chestnut coppices. Bars indicate + 1 
s.e. ofthe mean. Means with different letters differ significantly at p < 0,05. 
Slika 6: Srednja vrednost presevnosti svetlobe (1) neredčenih (beli stolpci) in redčenih 
(temni stolpci) ploskev v mlajših in starejših panjevcih kostanja (črte 
označujejo +] s.e.; srednje vrednosti, ki se značilno razlikujejo (p<0,05), so 
označene z različnimi črkami) 
92 
Zbornik gozdarstva in lesarstva, 68 
4 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS 
RAZPRAVA IN ZAKLJUČKI 
The analysis of the selected indicators allowed evaluation of the suitability and the 
sustainability of the models based on the extension of rotation period and frequent heavy 
thinnings. In particular, the quantitative parameters analysis seems to be compatible with 
the adoption of heavy thinning, which - if carried out under conditions of good or 
excellent productivity - enhances the re-establishment ofthe removed yield. 
The fast recovery of canopy cover and the loss of dominance supports frequent thinnings, 
which allow maintenance of a dominant storey, characterised by selected shoots with 
good morphological characteristics and a regular continued growth. This last feature is 
also one of the characteristics necessary to minimise the ris k of ring shake, a defect often 
present in chestnut wood (AMORINI et al. 2001). 
From a bio-ecological and functional point of view, the impact of the proposed 
silvicultural treatment (heavy and frequent thinnings) on canopy cover characteristics is 
consistent with the maintaining of a high stand efficiency level (CUTINI 2001). The 
relationship between LAI and growth efficiency (increase of above ground biomass per 
LAI unit), in fact, indicated a functionality loss for LAI above 5,0-5,5 m2 m-2 (CUTINI / 
F ABBIO 1997). In addition, the increase of rotation period positively influences the bio-
geochemical cycle because the nutrient incorporation rate decreases progressively up to 
15-20 years; over this age, the balance between annually absorbed and released nutrients, 
due to litter, has positive results (RANGER et al. 1990, RANGER / NYS 1996). 
Finally, the proposed silvicultural treatment allows associating good quality timber and 
the diversification of assortments during the whole productive cycle (CARBONE / 
RIBAUDO 1995). In relation to the Kyoto protocol, it assumes importance both for 
carbon storage capacity and for carbon immobilisation in wood assortments with a longer 
life cycle and less energetic input. A representative example is given by the employment 
of a chestnut pole in comparison to cement or impregnated coniferous po les. 
The two models are sustainable both from the ecological and silvicultural points of view 
due to the positive response to thinnings, the biomass recovery in a very short tirne, the 
93 
Manetti, M. C., Amorini, E., Cutini, A.: Alternative silvicultural options for ... 
rapid social reorganisation and the fast restoration of canopy cover. The extension of the 
rotation period and the thinning regime positively influence the morphological 
characteristics of stems, the quality of timber, the range of assortments, the resistance to 
disease and the cycle of nutrients. 
5 POVZETEK 
Upoštevaje razširjenost in visoko povprečno produktivnost sestojev so kostanjevi 
panjevci med najpomembnejšimi tipi gozda v Italiji. V teh sestojih lahko pridobivamo 
različne lesne sortimente (npr. hlode za žago, drogove različnih dimenzij in gradbeni les) 
ter netesne proizvode (sadeže, tanin, med). Poleg tega lahko ti sestoji opravljajo tudi 
druge funkcije (estetsko, turistično, varovanje pred požari, hidrološko, varovanje tal). 
Tradicionalni gojitveni sistemi, ki so bili večinoma prilagojeni proizvodnji drogov, so 
temeljili predvsem na kratkih obhodnjah. Modeli gospodarjenja, ki temeljijo na 
podaljšanih obhodnjah in relativno pogostih ter srednje močnih redčenjih, nudijo dobro 
možnost za zagotavljanje proizvodnje lesa; tako omogočajo zadovoljevanje potreb 
lastnika ob hkratnem zagotavljanju trajnostenga razvoja in turistično-okoljskih vrednot. 
Namen raziskave je predstaviti značilnosti dveh gojitvenih modelov, predlaganih kot 
alternativa tradicionalnemu sistemu gospodarjenja s kostanjevimi panjevci, in s pomočjo 
analize strukture, stabilnosti ter funkcionalnosti sestoja potrditi njuno trajnostno 
naravnanost. 
Predlagana gojitvena modela (slika 1 in preglednica 2) se razlikujeta predvsem glede 
intenzivnosti gospodarjenja oziroma glede količine in kakovosti lesnih sortimentov ob 
koncu obhoden} ter med celotnim proizvodnim obdobjem. Osnovne značilnosti, po katerih 
se razlikujeta, so: dolžina obhodnje (30 oziroma 50 let), starost sestoja ob prvem 
redčenju (1 O oziroma I 5 let), pogostost (5 oziroma 7 let) in intenzivnost posegov. 
Trajnost modelov smo ocenili s pomočjo količinskih (število, temeljnica, temeljnični 
prirastek, stopnja smrtnosti) in kvalitativnih gojitvenih (pomembnost vladajočega sloja) 
ter ekoloških (indeks listne površine, presevnost svetlobe) indikatorjev. Natančneje smo 
vpliv redčenj ocenili s produktivnostjo sestojev, prirastkom, spremembami v socialni 
strukturi sestojev in značilnostmi zastrtosti v različno starih panjevcih. 
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Zbornik gozdarstva in lesarstva, 68 
Poskusne ploskve se nahajajo na Mante Amiati (osrednja Italija); za območje so značilne 
velike površine sestojev kostanja (3500 ha); primeren delež javnih gozdov (20 %); 
dinamično, inovativno in raznoliko gospodarjenje; prisotnost specializirane in 
kvalificirane delovne sile. Študijo smo izvedli v dveh sestojih - mlad panjevec (YC) in 
starejši panjevec (AC); ob začetku študije (leta 1993) sta bila stara 11 oziroma 34 let. V 
obeh sestojih smo postavili po dve poskusni ploskvi - kontrolno in ploskev, na kateri smo 
izvajali redčenja glede na predlagana modela. Pred in po redčenjih smo na ploskvah 
izmerili dendrometrične in ekološke parametre. 
Na osnovi analize izbranih indikatorjev smo ocenili primernost in trajnost modelov, ki 
temeljita na podaljšanih obhodnjah in močnejših, pogostejših redčenjih. Analiza 
količinskih parametrov (sliki 2 in 3) je pokazala, da so močnejša redčenja primerna, če 
se izvajajo v sestojih z dobro ali odlično produktivnostjo. Hitra regeneracija sklepa 
krošenj in izguba dominance (sliki 4 in 5) sta v prid pogostim redčenjem, ki omogočajo 
vzdrževanje vladajočega sloja, sestavljenega iz izbranih dreves z dobrimi morfološkimi 
značilnostmi in kontinuirano, enakomerno rastjo. Z bioekološkega in funkcionalnega 
stališča je vpliv predlaganih gojitvenih modelov na značilnosti sklepa krošenj (slika 6) v 
skladu z zagotavljanjem visoke ravni učinkovitosti sestoja. 
Iz ekološkega in gojitvenega vidika (pozitiven odziv sestojev na redčenja, hitra obnova 
biomase, hitra socialna reorganizacija in hitra obnova sklepa krošenj) sta se modela 
izkazala kot trajnostno usmerjena. Podaljšanje obhodnje in spremenjen sistem redčenj 
vplivata pozitivno na morfološke značilnosti debel, kakovost lesa, strukturo sortimentov, 
odpornost na bolezni in na kroženje hranil v sestoju. 
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
ZAHVALA 
W e would like to thank many individuals, associated with research programmes on 
chestnut forests at Istituto Sperimentale per la Selvicoltura, who have made significant 
contributions to field data collection and lab analyses: C. Benvenuti, G. Bertini, S. 
Bruschini, M. Ceccarelli, U. Cerofolini, W. Cresti, L. Mencacci. A special thank to 
anonymous reviewers whose comments improved the paper. 
The study was funded by European Commission GD XII, Inco Copemicus W ork 
Programme "Integrated Study of Factors Involved in Degraded Chestnut Forests in 
Central and Mediterranean Europe. Biological Criteria for a Sustainable Development 
(CHESUD)"