Management of Coppices in Central Dinnarides in the European Concept of Coppice Management

Coppices are traditional silvicultural form which is defined and regarded in quite diverse ways throughout its long history. This is the oldest way of forest management known to man, so this form is broadly spread throughout the Europe and the world. It encompasses different tree species and site conditions. This resulted in numerous and diverse approaches to coppice management, which are not only the result of site conditions and biology of tree species, but also of geo-political placement and complex historical and socio-economic circumstances. This is the situation present at Lika region, which is a quite interesting case study for analysis of coppice management. Moreover, it could be regarded as the example of specific coppice management case study for the Southeast Europe, distinctly differing from coppice management in Central Europe. Research provides insight into shaping of complex issues of coppice management in Lika region under specific bio-geographical, ecological, historical, and socio-economic circumstances. This is compared with examples of coppice management from European surrounding, so neglected coppices from Lika region are placed in the concept of contemporary coppice management regarded from recent scientific and expert perception. For example, research excluded coppices in Lika region as the ones with the longest rotations out of all European countries, low intensities of silvicultural efforts and conversion of European beech coppice which could be significantly optimized.