Leaf-area index development at stands of economically important forest tree-species with verification through logging distribution in the Training Forest Enterprise Masaryk Forest Křtiny (Czech Republic)

Monitoring provides data for coordination of ecosystem adaptation to environmental change. Forest adaptation specifically involves intersection between identified vulnerable conditions and the tree-species growth requirements. Here, we present an analysis of the leaf area index (LAI) development at forest stands within the Training Forest Enterprise (TFE) Křtiny (98.33 km²; 186–570 m a.s.l.) during 2013 and 2022, where the LAI decline was assessed through overlay with forest management records of logging as unspecific without any relation with timber harvesting or as consequence after planned cutting and/or after sanitary fellings. The relation with tree adaptability was derived by incorporating classification of stand types from commercially important tree-species. LAI was calculated through zonal statistics from maximum summer values at raster 10Í10 m of Sentinel-2 satellite to stand group polygones. The development of LAI was subtracted from forest states between the final and beginning forest management plan validity period. LAI increase was limited only to 22.1% of the TFE area, while sanitary fellings led to decrease of LAI in 34.3% of forests. The decrease afflicted major tree-species except ash-woods. Declining LAI was most prevalent in mixed (30%), beech (29%) and spruce stands (17.8%).