Foresters from Strzałowo restore valuable forest
Masurian foresters began experimental restoration of thermophilous oak forest, valuable forest type threatened with extinction. For this purpose, in the selected area of the Piska Forest they released a heard of Polish horses that will graze there for a month and a half.
Andrzej Ryś of Forestry Strzałowo told PAP that the attempt to revitalize thermophilous oak forest in this area involves herding 12 Polish horses in a selected part of the forest. In his opinion, this is the first such project in the country.
If the experiment is successful, the experience of the Mazury foresters will benefit other forest districts. "It is estimated that in Poland today there is less than 200 hectares of well-preserved thermophilous oak forest" - explained Ryś.
This type of stand has always been associated with human activity. It was associated with easements – the right of peasants to livestock grazing in the lord’s woods, dating back to feudal times. After World War II such grazing was forbidden to prevent cattle and horses from destroying forest crops. Easements tradition has been partially preserved only in a few villages in Poland - for example near Wąchock, where farmers are allowed to take branches for firewood from the forest for free.
According to foresters, to restore thermophilous oak forest, grazing animals are necessary because they eat away parts of the undergrowth. This type of oak forest is characterised by sparse shrub layer and species-rich, lush undergrowth. No grazing causes overgrowing with trees and shrubs that firmly shade the forest floor.
"We do not exactly know why, but the plants grazed upon by animals behave differently than mowed plants. Mowed grass grow excessively, forming a dense turf. Animals eat the entire biomass, which increases the amount of nitrogen in the soil. Seeds of the desired plant species that pass through their digestive system, have a higher germination" - said Ryś.
Therefore, foresters from Strzałowo borrowed 12 Polish horses from an agritourism farm. For about six weeks, the herd will graze on 4.5 hectares of the Piska Forest. The area was surrounded with electric fence, and several horses wear bells to scare packs of wolves away from the herd.
The area selected for grazing is a part of an oak forest, where the undergrowth plants are typical for thermophilous oak forest - soft leaved sedge, white cinquefoil, peach-leaved bellflower, pale St. John\'s-wort and the ladybells. Foresters fenced the places, where self-seeding oaks had occurred, to protect young trees from the horses.
If the experiment brings the desired effect, foresters from Strzałowo will apply for grants that will allow for grazing horses over the next five years. The purpose of these experiments is to develop methods for restoration of such habitats in other parts of the country.
Thermophilous oak forest is considered to be the floristically richest Polish forest type. Few preserved habitats are considered extremely valuable and protected by the European Union under Natura 2000. The attempt to restore thermophilous oak forest in Mazury is yet another innovative action conducted by foresters from Strzałowo. In 2000-2002 they were the first in Poland to successfully transplant 150 thalli of tree lungwort, lichen species threatened with extinction.
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