Abstract
Using the example of these artificial forests, changes in vegetation and structure are qualitatively and quantitatively examined and discussed. The analysis of repeated releves in forest stands in the northern Eifel, Solling and central Thuringian Forest has shown that spruce afforestations are less stable, from a vegetation and structural point of view, than beech forests. Signs of less stability in comparison to natural Luzulo-Fagetum are, for example, considerable changes of system parameters (eg evenness) during the life of the tree stand. The dominance of Avenella flexuosa is a typical development stage in older spruce afforestations.