The pine forests in the Záhorie region offer not only beautiful scenery, but also a unique opportunity to learn more about protecting and adapting forests to climate change. After last year’s successful public walk, we also organised an excursion for journalists as part of the CLIMAFORCEELIFE project on the last day of July. Forest specialists from WWF Slovakia and the state enterprise LESY SR shared their expertise with them.
The tour of the forests started in Lakšárská Nová Ves (Senica district), in whose surroundings the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is represented among the trees. From there, the journalists, accompanied by foresters and conservationists, went to the local forests.
What a conventionally managed forest looks like in Záhorie
The first stop of the excursion was at a place where the forest is managed in a usual way. Fresh pine seedlings could be seen planted on the clear-cut with sandy subsoil. In straight rows, exactly equidistant from each other, they will grow here for decades to come, until they are ready for harvesting.
This method of forest management has been established in Záhorie for many years. Pine has been cultivated here for economic purposes since the time of Maria Theresa. Although the tree is relatively hardy, it cannot withstand the extreme heat that increases year on year. The problems of drying out have led foresters and conservationists to think together about how to adapt to climate change and mitigate its adverse effects.
Experimental areas
Possible answers are provided by the CLIMAFORCEELIFE project, in which WWF Slovakia and LESY SR are jointly involved. It brings together 5 countries from Central and Eastern Europe with the common goal of improving forest management in the region through a transition to climate-smart forestry that benefits both people and nature. The project is testing different ways of doing this. Experimental plots are being set up in forests in cooperation with experts from the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague. The journalists had the opportunity to see one such area in Záhorie during the second stop of the excursion.
This was one of the selected stands where different types of silvicultural interventions are being investigated. Different combinations of forest thinning, soil preparation, planting and fencing are being experimented with. The aim is to create conditions that help the forest to regenerate naturally. A number of factors influence this, some of which foresters try to simulate so that young stands thrive.
Light, soil preparation, game
Three of the factors influencing forest development are key. All three can be influenced, according to experts.
- Light is important for the growth of all living things, and pine trees are no exception. The question is how much sunlight is optimal for them. The CLIMAFORCEELIFE project has set foresters the task of finding out under which light conditions trees thrive best. They test the effect of light mainly through experimental thinnings, where trees are removed from the stand at different intensities. A forest of different densities is created so that different proportions of sunlight reach the selected trees.
- Soil represents a second important factor and is therefore also currently under investigation by foresters. The way in which it is managed can have an effect on the establishment of new seeds. This is why experts need to find out which form of treatment/soil preparation works best and whether soil treatment is actually necessary for the natural regeneration of forests.
- A third important factor is game, which, particularly in recent years, has put a lot of pressure on natural regeneration. In the Záhorie region, therefore, areas have been established in the framework of testing that are both fenced and open to the four-legged inhabitants of the forest.
Experimental plots are monitored. Measurements will be made within the project by experts from the aforementioned Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, among others doc. Bílek, who specialises in pine trees. Experts from the Czech project partner will examine how viable the new pine trees are and how the experiments have affected the condition of the mature trees. In addition to forestry parameters, the experts will also monitor the occurrence of different groups of animals and plants.
It wouldn’t work without water.
In the 60s-70s of the last century a set of three water reservoirs Bulkovec I – III was built on the Kalaštovský stream. At that time, they were built mainly for the purpose of fire protection, because the reservoirs are located in the driest area of Slovakia – the Záhorie region, where there is a high risk of fire. However, the tooth of time had its effect on the constructions and they gradually ceased to meet the conditions of safe operation. It was necessary to renovate them. The aim of the measure, which is part of the CLIMAFORCEELIFE project, is to reconstruct the water reservoirs so that there is no water leakage and that the retained water helps to stabilise the microclimate of the surrounding forests. In the event of fires, this water is also the only source for firefighters in the vicinity.
“We are aware that the projects we participate in can sometimes be more difficult for the general public to grasp, but their contribution is undeniable. That is why we decided to bring our work closer to journalists,” said CLIMAFORCEELIFE project manager Katarína Balíková. The project will run until 2027 and we will keep you informed about the interim results.
