ZLV Online First

Abstrakt

Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) is a key native tree species in Central European forests, exhibiting high production capacity and ecological and adaptive potential under ongoing global climate change (GCC). This study focuses on a comprehensive evaluation of fir cultivation, from seed material collection through seed quality and planting stock performance to the economic aspects of stand establishment and securing under the conditions of the 3rd and 4th forest vegetation zones in Czechia (Central Bohemian and Plzeň regions). The results revealed pronounced interannual variability in seed purity, ranging from 5.8% (2022) to 18.9% (2024), with a mean value of approximately 14%, representing the highest values among native conifers. Seed germination capacity did not differ significantly from long-term averages during the evaluated period (46% in 2018, 52% in 2020, and 57% in 2022); however, a marked decline to 23% was observed after one year of frozen storage. The frequency of strong seed years was estimated at approximately four years. Mean absolute planting stock yield for the period 2018–2025 reached 3,262 seedlings kg-1 on substrate and 2,582 seedlings kg-1 on mineral soil. Post-planting losses over a ten-year period ranged between 10% and 15%. Economic analysis indicated that the costs of establishing and securing 1 ha of silver fir stands, including minimum planting densities, five years of follow-up management, fencing, chemical protection of plantations, one removal of undesirable tree species, and one thinning operation, amounted to 229,000–238,800 CZK/ha. The obtained results confirm the high production, ecological, and adaptive potential of silver fir as a promising species for the conversion of spruce-dominated and other monocultures and for developing structurally stable forest stands with substantial carbon sequestration potential under GCC conditions.