Vyhodnocení různých postupů obnovy lesa na kalamitních holinách

Large-scale forest disturbances caused by wind and bark beetle outbreaks have created extensive clearings that require efficient, site-specific, and climate-adaptive regeneration strategies. This study evaluates the effectiveness of artificial, combined, and alternative regeneration approaches on a 40-hectare experimental site in Heraltice, Czech Republic, established in 2019 after severe disturbances. Artificial regeneration consisted of pure and mixed plantings of Fagus sylvatica and Quercus robur, with Carpinus betulus used as an auxiliary species. The combined regeneration approach involved low-density planting of Picea abies and Alnus glutinosa (1,800 plants/ha), complemented by subsequent natural regeneration. The alternative variant applied a mixture of Prunus avium and Betula pendula at a density of 2,400 plants/ha. After five growing seasons, all regeneration variants met the legal criteria for an established plantation. While some pure plantations showed higher initial mortality, natural regeneration effectively compensated for planting losses. Pioneer species, particularly birch and alder, showed rapid height growth, exceeding 100 cm on average after five years, whereas oak and beech exhibited slower early development. Economic evaluation revealed significant cost differences between the regeneration methods: the combined regeneration method had total costs approximately one-third those of traditional artificial regeneration of broadleaves. The alternative Prunus–Betula mixture also substantially lowered establishment costs, though timely thinning remains essential to promote the target species. Overall, the results demonstrate that combining artificial and natural regeneration methods can accelerate reforestation, enhance structural and species diversity, reduce costs, and improve resilience to future disturbances. Such integrated strategies provide practical, cost-effective, and sustainable pathways for restoring large areas of disturbed forest under changing climatic conditions.