Old-growth forest

"Mankind as the most developed community of organisms has moral and ethical obligation to leave at least a minimum space for the biota and its existence also in future, and to prevent further damage of other species. A different attitude is egoistic and immoral from the life point of view."

Alois Zlatník (1975)

What is old growth?

A forest stand usually at least 180-220 years old with moderate to high canopy closure; a multilayered, multispecies canopy dominated by large overstory trees; high incidence of large trees, some with broken tops and other indications of old and decaying wood (decadence); numerous large snags; and heavy accumulations of wood, including large logs on the ground. Any evidences of man's activities may be present, but do not significantly alter the other characteristics and would be a subordinate factor in a description of such a stand (USDA, 1998).

A lot of useful information related to old-growth forests in Czech Republic can be found on portal PRALESY.CZ, which under management of The Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening, Department of Forest Ecology.

Electronic device for the measurement of increment; pavilion Gondwanaland, ZOO Leipzig 2012

Related links:

• Old-growth forests in Slovakia
• Monumental trees of the world