Importance of site conditions and time since abandonment for coppice vegetation on Langeland, Denmark

In 57 sample plots in neglected coppices on Langeland, Denmark (14—c. 125 years since last coppicing) the cover of trees and shrubs was analysed by the method of Domin-Krajina and the ground layer by the frequency method of Raunkiær. The data were analysed by DC A. The tree and shrub layer showed significant correlations with topsoil pH and litter depth. The ground layer was significantly correlated with inclination, area of the wood in which the coppice was situated, light, topsoil pH and the tree layer, and to a lesser extent with litter depth, but was not correlated with time since last coppicing. It is suggested that for some stands the suppression of Corγlus avellana by tree species ( Quercus robur, Fagus sylvatica, Carpinus betulus ) which form a permanent litter layer and acidify the soil is more important to the ground layer than the time elapsed since last coppicing per se. Formation of a permanent litter layer reduces species density, e-specially of some forest species without clonal growth. One main reason for the lack of correlation between the ground layer and time since coppicing may be the great environmental variation in the neglected coppices on Langeland. Another reason seems to be the absence of competitive forest species (which otherwise would benefit from non-intervention) due to the isolated position of the coppiced woods. It is concluded that neglect in excess of c. 35 years beyond the normal coppice rotation has some effect on the composition of the tree and shrub layer, but not a direct effect on the ground layer.