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Forest ground vegetation biomass plays a significant role in carbon (C) storage and contributes to the overall carbon pool of forest ecosystems. Ground vegetation, including understory plants, shrubs, and grasses, not only affects carbon sequestration through photosynthesis but also contributes to the carbon cycle as it decomposes and release carbon into atmosphere and soil. This process adds to soil organic matter and affects it carbon dynamics. Understanding the above and below-ground biomass of forest ground ve...

Birch (Betula spp.) has a notable financial value and is less affected by most significant biotic factors than common coniferous tree species, however, still prone to wind and freezing rain damages. Main storms affect Northern Europe during winter (when trees are at leaf-less state), however it might change as the climate is warming and length of the vegetation period is increasing. Therefore information on wind damages in birch stands during this period is important. Aim of our study was to assess the damages cau...

European aspen (Populus tremula L.) is fast growing, almost exclusively naturally regenerated trees species, significant for biodiversity, but also with notable financial value. It is prone to browsing damages and rot. Limited information on traits important to wind resistance had been collected so far and used to adapt models predicting wind damages in stands of these tree species. Main storms affect Northern Europe during winter time (when trees are at leaf-less state), however, summer storms are becoming freque...

Naturally regenerated birch (Betula spp.) stands, to a large extent formed on abandoned agricultural lands, is a notable part of the privately owned forests in Latvia. Birch is fast growing and less frequently affected by abiotic and biotic factors (like dendrophagous insects, cervids, drought) than other main commercial tree species in Latvia. However, wind storms, predicted to increase in frequency in future, is an important risk in birch stands. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the snapping height ...

Importance of unmanaged forests for biodiversity aspects in unquestionable, while their role in climate change mitigation is still unclear due to the large heterogeneity of these forests in different bioclimatic regions; therefore, requiring data of biomass distribution for their inclusion in national and regional carbon reporting systems. The aim of our study was to assess the live biomass distribution and amount of dead wood in over-mature Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (K.) L.) ...