Table 1 Description of the silvicultural treatments applied in each treatment and the objective sought
Treatment | Description |
|---|---|
Control (CO) | No intervention. No actions were carried out in the forest, leaving Scots pine and the understory species at their initial density levels |
Understory clearing (UC) | Application of understory clearing to reduce tree competition. The clearing implied a 50% reduction of the basal area of oak and other associated understory species. Pine trees were not removed. Plant residues were left in the forest |
Understory clearing and pine thinning (UCPT) | Application of low thinning of pines and complete understory clearing to reduce tree competition. This treatment involved the total elimination of oak and other associated species and the reduction of the Scots pine basal area by 30%. Branches were cut up and spread within the plots while logs were removed |
Pine logging (PL) | Elimination of Scots pines to accelerate the replacement of pines by oaks and evaluate the oaks’ future development. This treatment involved the total elimination of all Scots pines to enhance oak dominance. Branches were cut up and spread within the plots while logs were removed |