Post-disaster Forest Management and Bark Beetle Outbreak in Tatra National Park, Slovakia

• DOI: 10.1659/mrd-journal-d-13-00017.1
• Publication Date: 2014-12-10T14:58:33Z
• Authors: Christo Nikolov; Bohdan Konôpka; Matúš Kajba; Juraj Galko; Andrej Kunca; Libor Janský
• Keywords: Windthrow; Phytosanitary certification

In November 2004, the Alžbeta windstorm hit mountainous areas of northern and central Slovakia. The most affected area was Tatra National Park, where downslope wind damaged 12,000 ha forest, mostly Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). with highest level nature conservation, about 165,000 m3 wood left uncleared. These uncleared sites triggered a serious bark beetle outbreak, Ips typographus (L.) among dominant species. aim our work to quantify map forest damage resulting from this subsequent insect outbreak in Park. objective article is also present simple geographic information system (GIS) techniques available managers for detection mapping infestations. infested were studied using GIS series color-infrared aerial photographs taken 2005–2009. More than 50% all recorded within 300 m, more 75% 500 windthrow sites. Based on findings, we propose reinforcing post-disaster monitoring an emphasis (1) data acquisition processing (2) management I. outbreaks. For instance, recommend 300-m phytosanitary buffer zones mountain forests prevent substantial invasion into adjacent stands.