Post-windthrow forest development in spruce-dominated mountain forests in Central Europe

Natural disturbances play an important role in shaping the dynamics of mountain forests, yet their effects on essential ecosystem services, such as protection against natural hazards, can be significant. With the challenges posed by climate change and increasing disturbances, as well as the complexities of salvage logging, there is a growing interest in understanding post-disturbance development in unsalvaged mountain forests, alongside the advancement of decision support systems aimed at ensuring sustained provision of ecosystem services. In this study, we combined a space-for-time substitution approach with long-term monitoring data to evaluate regeneration processes and development of deadwood decay following three distinct windthrow events in Central European mountain forests that were locally unsalvaged (specifically Vaia in 2018, Kyrill in 2007, and Vivian in 1990). Our unique dataset additionally provided insights into the long-term effects of disturbance legacies and tree regeneration on protection against natural hazards. Deadwood cover gradually decreased with time since disturbance, from an average of 50% two years after Vaia to 25% twelve years after Kyrill and 15% thirty years after Vivian. Similarly, deadwood height above ground significantly decreased over time, with median values dropping from 1 to 2 m immediately after the disturbance to 25–30 cm three decades later. The decay stage and diameter of deadwood significantly influenced tree regeneration, with larger diameters of logs and deadwood in more advanced decay stage (especially less solid/soft to very loose stage), facilitating seedling establishment, thus a second wave of tree regeneration. About a quarter of saplings grew on deadwood thirty years after disturbance. The analysis of post-windthrow stand development showed an increase in tree cover and height with time since disturbance, with distinct patterns observed across different windthrow events and sites. Three decades post-disturbance, the number of trees had notably increased, with tree cover reaching 50%. Although Norway spruce remained the dominant species, the forest composition had shifted towards a predominance of broadleaves, particularly evident at lower elevations and areas with moderate browsing pressure. Our findings underscore the critical role of post-disturbance forest recovery and deadwood dynamics in promoting uneven-aged mixed forest structures, thereby enhancing forest regeneration, structural diversity, and protection against natural hazards. Emphasizing the vital importance of retaining deadwood, our study suggests that its role as a valuable substrate for enhancing resilience and ecosystem services is likely to grow in the future.