Assessment of the natural resources of European silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in the Polish Sudety Mts.

Data from floristic publications, forest management records, comprehensive questionnaires and original field research were used to assess the silver fir resources in the Sudety Mts. Fir trees older than 50 years were recorded in over 2000 localities but the mean number of individuals per locality was only about 15. The generally low number of fir trees and their considerable dispersion are the major causes of the poor reproduction of the studied species in the Sudety Mts. In that region, silver fir should receive special treatment and, if possible, excluded from logging plans. Current and projected activities concerned with fir protection are described briefly.