VEGETATION OF SMALL-LEAVED LIME TILIA CORDATA MILL. FOREST STANDS IN LATVIA

Broadleaved forest distribution in Europe and in Latvia is relatively small. Small-leaved lime Tilia cordata Mill. stands are even rarer, so it is important to study and protect them, as well as to assess their biodiversity and future potential. The aim of research is to investigate and assess the vegetation in lime forest stands. In total, 12 plots have been established for long-term monitoring of lime stands. In the sample plots, the survey of growing trees, dead wood, the inventory of vegetation species and the determination of the projective cover were carried out. The natural regeneration of lime was also investigated. During the research it was found out that stock of growing trees does not differ significantly by research objects. It varies from 169 to 446 m3 ha-1. The amount of dead wood in the objects is 0.06 to 56.6 m3 ha-1. The objects mainly contain debris of the II and III degrees of decomposition. The number of vegetation species found in the research objects varies from 21 to 35 species. A total of 26 species characteristic of European broad-leaved forests can be found in the objects. The projective cover of the tree, shrub and herb layers does not differ significantly from measurements in 2018. Small-leaved lime stands are stable and have continuous regeneration of lime trees under forest canopy.