The research is part of an interreg project on continuous cover forestry and is divided into two subjects.
The first part deals with light measurement in irregular broadleaved forests. The objective is to identify a practical tool and method which could be easily used by foresters to determine the quantity of understory light available for regeneration. During the summer 2009, light will be measured with sensors on eight sites presenting contrasting structures. Potential instruments will be tested in each site, giving special attention to spatial variability.
The second part is on canopy closure rate around forest gaps. A retrospective study will be carried out on mature beech stands using stem analysis. Branches of around-gap trees will be cut and analysed.