Historia lasów zlewni Potoku Dupniańskiego w Beskidzie Śląskim

Since 1997, the experimental Potok Dupniański catchment in the Beskid Śląski Mountains (Wisła Forest District) has been an area subjected to intensive hydrological and hydrogeochemical research aimed at improving knowledge about the ecological growth conditions of one of the most valuable Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karsten) ecotype – the Istebna spruce. Environmental conditions and comparison with the stands growing in similar environments in the 18th and 19th century in the Beskid Żywiecki region, as well as historical sources have shown that Istebna spruce is not a native provenance. Thus, the analysis of the state of forest management in the past times appears an important contribution to the above−mentioned earlier research. An increase in forest resources mainly resulting from the higher share of stands in older age classes and a decline in species diversity is a characteristic feature of the studied area. It is believed that the growing share of fir and beech in forest plantations as a consequence of underplanting would improve this situation.