Black locust in the stands of Mănăstire Forest administrated by the Lunca Timișului Forest District
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59463/xnjx0824Keywords:
Robinia pseudoacacia, Fraxinus excelsior, stand distribution, stand stocking, dendrometric characteristics, site conditionAbstract
Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is a fast-growing, ecologically adaptable species widely used in Romania for reforestation, erosion control, and biomass production. Despite its economic and ecological value, its growth behavior and productivity vary depending on site conditions and competition. This study analyzed the performance of black locust in the Mănăstire Forest, managed by the Lunca Timișului Forest District, located in the Bîrzava meadow basin (Western Plain, Romania). The stands are classified as Group I, functional category 4B – forests surrounding municipalities, towns, and communes, as well as those developed around them. The fundamental natural stands are mainly composed of oak (Quercus robur) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior), although some stands also include black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). Two stands of similar age and site conditions were compared—one dominated by black locust and the other by ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.). Dendrometric parameters, including diameter basal area, and crown dimensions, were measured and statistically analyzed. The results showed that black locust recorded higher mean diameter values in pure stands compare with mixed stands. In mixed stands black locust showed reduced dimensions due to interspecific competition. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing black locust management and integrating the species into lowland forest ecosystems.
References
Anonymous (2018), Forest management of Production Unit VIII Banloc-Mănăstire, Lunca Timișului Forest District. p.440
Enescu, C.M. & Dănescu, A. (2015), Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.)—an invasive neophyte in the conventional land reclamation flora in Romania. Bull Transilv Univ Brasov Ser II for Wood Ind Agric Food Eng 6(55):23–30.
Haralamb, A. (1967), The cultivation of woody species. Agro-forestry Publishing House, Bucharest, p 755
Lukic, S., Pantic, D., Simic, S.B., Borota, D., Tubic, B, Djukic, M., Djunisijevic-Bojovic, D. (2015), Effects of black locust and black pine on extremely degraded sites 60 years after afforestation—a case study of the Grdelica Gorge (southeastern Serbia). iForest 9:235–243
Monteverdi, M.C., Castaldi, C., Ducci, F., Cutino, I., Proietti, R., Gasparini, P., la Porta, N. (2016), Italy. In: Hasenauer H, Gazda A, Konnert M, Mohren G, Po¨tzelsberger E, Spiecker H, van Loo M (eds) Non-native tree species for European forests: experiences, risks and opportunities. FP 1403 NNEXT country reports, joint volume. University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Austria, Vienna, pp 175–197
Nicolescu, V.N., Hernea, C., Bakti, B., Keserű, Z., Antal, B., Rédei, K. (2018), Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) as a multi-purpose tree species in Hungary and Romania: a review. Journal of Forestry Research, vol. 29(6):1449-1463
Nicolescu, V.N., Rédei, K., Mason, W.L., Vor, T., Pöetzelsberger, E., Bastien, J.C., Brus, R., Benčat, T., Đodan, M., Cvjetkovic, B., Andrašev, S., La Porta, N., Lavnyy, V., Mandžukovski, D., Petkova, K., Roženbergar, D., Wąsik, R., Mohren, G.M.J., Monteverdi, M.C., Musch, B., Klisz, M., Perić, S., Keça, L., Bartlett, D., Hernea, C., Pástor, M. (2020), Ecology, growth and management of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), a non-native species integrated into European forests. Journal of Forestry Research, vol. 31(4):1081–1101.
Papaioannou, A, Chatzistahis, T, Papaioannou, E, Papadopoulos, G. (2016), Robinia pseudoacacia as a valuable invasive species for the restoration of degraded croplands. CATENA 137:310–317
Redei, K, Csiha, I, Keseru, Z (2011), Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) short-rotation crops under marginal site conditions. Acta Silvatica and Lignaria Hungarica 7:125–132
Redei, K, Osvath-Bujtas, Z, Veperdi, I. (2008), Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) improvement in Hungary: a review. Acta Silvatica and Lignaria Hungarica 4:127–132
Stănescu, V. (1979), Dendrology. Didactica și Pedagogica Publishing House, Bucharest, p 470
Stănescu, V, Șofletea, N, Popescu, O. (1997), Woody flora of Romania. Ceres Publishing House, Bucharest, p 451
Șofletea, N., Curtu, L., (2001), Dendrology – vol. I. Determination and description of species, “Pentru Viață” Publishing House, Brașov, ISBN 973-99456-1-9
Vila, M., Basnou, C., Gollasch, S., Josefsson, M., Pergl, J., Scalerra, R. (2009), One hundred of the most invasive alien species in Europe. In: DAISIE (ed) DAISIE handbook of alien species in Europe invading nature. Springer series in invasion ecology, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 265–268
Vıtkova, M, Mullerova, J., Sadlo, J., Pergl, J., Pysek, P. (2017), Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) beloved and despised. A story of an invasive tree in Central Europe. For Ecol Manag 384:287–302
Wang, J.J., Hu, C.X., Bai, J., Gong, C.M. (2015), Carbon sequestration of mature black locust stands on the Loess Plateau, China. Plant Soil Environ 61(3):116–121.
