O desmatamento para uso agrícola é uma das principais causas da devastação dos biomas brasileiros como a floresta amazônica, o cerrado e a mata atlântica. A grande extensão do desmatamento com a derrubada e a queima das vegetações é a principal fonte de emissão de gases do efeito estufa do Brasil - quarto maior emissor mundial. Uma grande porcentagem do carbono estocado encontra-se na biomassa aérea das fisionomias florestais, enquanto que, nas vegetações de cerrado, a biomassa subterrânea corresponde à maior parte. São ainda poucos os estudos realizados a respeito de estimativas de carbono na biomassa subterrânea, ou mesmo na biomassa aérea, de vegetações de cerrado. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi relacionar os estoques de carbono aéreos e subterrâneos de um cerrado stricto sensu existente na Reserva Biológica de Mogi Guaçu (Martinho Prado - SP) com sua biodiversidade. Para isso estabeleceu-se, de modo sistemático, 10 parcelas de 10x50m subdivididas a cada 10m. Todas as plantas com diâmetros à altura do peito (DAPs) dos troncos maiores que 5 cm foram medidas e identificadas ao nível de espécie calculando-se posteriormente os índices de: diversidade de Shannon-Wiener, equitabilidade de Pielou e riqueza. A biomassa e o carbono aéreo destas árvores foram calculados com o auxílio de equações estabelecidas pela literatura. Foram coletadas amostras de raízes utilizando-se uma cavadeira manual para determinar seus estoques de biomassa e de carbono. Também se retirou amostras indeformadas de solo em diferentes profundidades (0-30cm) para cálculo de densidade do solo e determinação do carbono orgânico. A área de estudo apresentou um total de 64 espécies distintas e 773 indivíduos. A espécies vegetais mais recorrentes foram: Xylopia aromatica (pimenta de macaco) (10,9%), seguida por Syagrus flexuosa (coco babão) (8,8%), Copaifera langsdorffii (pau de óleo) (8,67%), Qualea grandiflora (pau-terra) (8,41%). Houve uma correlação positiva e significativa entre diversidade de Shannon e biomassa e carbono aéreos. Os maiores índices de diversidade de Shannon apresentados foram 2,966 e 2,927. A biomassa área média de foi 37,412 Mg.ha-1 e o carbono aéreo médio foi de 19,65 Mg.ha-1. Já a biomassa média de raízes foi de 3,20 Mg.ha-1 com um teor de carbono variando de 48 a 54%. O estoque médio de carbono do solo foi de 8,51 Mg.ha-1. A porção do solo nas profundidades de 0-10cm apresentaram as maiores concentrações de carbono orgânico. Por outro lado, a densidade do solo apresentou os maiores valores nas camadas de 20-30 cm de profundidade. Houve uma relação negativa significativa entre a densidade e o carbono orgânico do solo. / Deforestation for agricultural use is one of the main causes of the devastation of Brazilian biomes such as the Amazon forest, the cerrado and the Atlantic forest. The big extension of the deforestation with the felling and burning of vegetation is the main cause of the greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil - 4th largest worldwide issuer. A large percentage of the stored carbon is found in the aerial biomass of the vegetable physiognomy, while, in the cerrado vegetation, the underground biomass corresponds the most of part. There are few studies carried out about the carbon stimates in the underground biomass, or even in the aerial biomass, of the cerrado vegetation. The purpose of this research was to relate aerial and underground carbon stocks of a stricto sensu cerrado existing in the Mogi Guaçu- SP Biological Reserve (Martinho Prado Junior-SP) with your biodiversity. For this has been established, systematically, ten plots of 10X50 meters subdivided every 10 meters. All the plants with breast height diameters (DAPs) of the trunks larger than 5 centimeters were measured and identified at the species level calculating the indices of: Shannon-Wiener diversity, Pielou equitability and species richness. The aerial biomass and carbon of these trees were calculated with the aid of equations established in the literature. Root samples were collected with the use of a manual digger for to determine their biomass and carbon stocks. Undisturbed soil samples were collected in different depths for calculating of the soil density and the determination of the soil organic carbon. The study area presented 65 different species and 773 trees. The most recurrent plant species were: Xylopia aromatica (monkey pepper) (10,9%), seguida por Syagrus flexuosa (coconut baboon) (8,8%), Copaifera langsdorffii (oil dick) (8,67%), Qualea grandiflora (dick-sand) (8,41%). There was a significant positive correlation between Shannon diversity and aerial biomass and carbon. The highest indices of the Shannon diversity presented were 2,966 and 2,927. The medium aerial biomass was 37,412 Mg.ha-1 and the medium aerial carbon was 19,65 Mg.ha-1. The medium roots biomass was 3,20 Mg.ha-1 with a carbon content is varying from 48 to 54%.The medium soil carbon was 8,51 Mg.ha-1. The portion of the soil in the depths of the 0-10 centimeters presented the highest organic carbon concentration. On the other side, the soil density presented the higher values in layers of 20-30 cm depth. There was a significant negative correlation between soil density and the soil organic carbon.

O desmatamento para uso agrícola é uma das principais causas da devastação dos biomas brasileiros como a floresta amazônica, o cerrado e a mata atlântica. A grande extensão do desmatamento com a derrubada e a queima das vegetações é a principal fonte de emissão de gases do efeito estufa do Brasil - quarto maior emissor mundial. Uma grande porcentagem do carbono estocado encontra-se na biomassa aérea das fisionomias florestais, enquanto que, nas vegetações de cerrado, a biomassa subterrânea corresponde à maior parte. São ainda poucos os estudos realizados a respeito de estimativas de carbono na biomassa subterrânea, ou mesmo na biomassa aérea, de vegetações de cerrado. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi relacionar os estoques de carbono aéreos e subterrâneos de um cerrado stricto sensu existente na Reserva Biológica de Mogi Guaçu (Martinho Prado - SP) com sua biodiversidade. Para isso estabeleceu-se, de modo sistemático, 10 parcelas de 10x50m subdivididas a cada 10m. Todas as plantas com diâmetros à altura do peito (DAPs) dos troncos maiores que 5 cm foram medidas e identificadas ao nível de espécie calculando-se posteriormente os índices de: diversidade de Shannon-Wiener, equitabilidade de Pielou e riqueza. A biomassa e o carbono aéreo destas árvores foram calculados com o auxílio de equações estabelecidas pela literatura. Foram coletadas amostras de raízes utilizando-se uma cavadeira manual para determinar seus estoques de biomassa e de carbono. Também se retirou amostras indeformadas de solo em diferentes profundidades (0-30cm) para cálculo de densidade do solo e determinação do carbono orgânico. A área de estudo apresentou um total de 64 espécies distintas e 773 indivíduos. A espécies vegetais mais recorrentes foram: Xylopia aromatica (pimenta de macaco) (10,9%), seguida por Syagrus flexuosa (coco babão) (8,8%), Copaifera langsdorffii (pau de óleo) (8,67%), Qualea grandiflora (pau-terra) (8,41%). Houve uma correlação positiva e significativa entre diversidade de Shannon e biomassa e carbono aéreos. Os maiores índices de diversidade de Shannon apresentados foram 2,966 e 2,927. A biomassa área média de foi 37,412 Mg.ha-1 e o carbono aéreo médio foi de 19,65 Mg.ha-1. Já a biomassa média de raízes foi de 3,20 Mg.ha-1 com um teor de carbono variando de 48 a 54%. O estoque médio de carbono do solo foi de 8,51 Mg.ha-1. A porção do solo nas profundidades de 0-10cm apresentaram as maiores concentrações de carbono orgânico. Por outro lado, a densidade do solo apresentou os maiores valores nas camadas de 20-30 cm de profundidade. Houve uma relação negativa significativa entre a densidade e o carbono orgânico do solo. / Deforestation for agricultural use is one of the main causes of the devastation of Brazilian biomes such as the Amazon forest, the cerrado and the Atlantic forest. The big extension of the deforestation with the felling and burning of vegetation is the main cause of the greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil - 4th largest worldwide issuer. A large percentage of the stored carbon is found in the aerial biomass of the vegetable physiognomy, while, in the cerrado vegetation, the underground biomass corresponds the most of part. There are few studies carried out about the carbon stimates in the underground biomass, or even in the aerial biomass, of the cerrado vegetation. The purpose of this research was to relate aerial and underground carbon stocks of a stricto sensu cerrado existing in the Mogi Guaçu- SP Biological Reserve (Martinho Prado Junior-SP) with your biodiversity. For this has been established, systematically, ten plots of 10X50 meters subdivided every 10 meters. All the plants with breast height diameters (DAPs) of the trunks larger than 5 centimeters were measured and identified at the species level calculating the indices of: Shannon-Wiener diversity, Pielou equitability and species richness. The aerial biomass and carbon of these trees were calculated with the aid of equations established in the literature. Root samples were collected with the use of a manual digger for to determine their biomass and carbon stocks. Undisturbed soil samples were collected in different depths for calculating of the soil density and the determination of the soil organic carbon. The study area presented 65 different species and 773 trees. The most recurrent plant species were: Xylopia aromatica (monkey pepper) (10,9%), seguida por Syagrus flexuosa (coconut baboon) (8,8%), Copaifera langsdorffii (oil dick) (8,67%), Qualea grandiflora (dick-sand) (8,41%). There was a significant positive correlation between Shannon diversity and aerial biomass and carbon. The highest indices of the Shannon diversity presented were 2,966 and 2,927. The medium aerial biomass was 37,412 Mg.ha-1 and the medium aerial carbon was 19,65 Mg.ha-1. The medium roots biomass was 3,20 Mg.ha-1 with a carbon content is varying from 48 to 54%.The medium soil carbon was 8,51 Mg.ha-1. The portion of the soil in the depths of the 0-10 centimeters presented the highest organic carbon concentration. On the other side, the soil density presented the higher values in layers of 20-30 cm depth. There was a significant negative correlation between soil density and the soil organic carbon.

La coltivazione dei sistemi colturali poliennali su terreni marginali combina la produzione sostenibile di biomassa per diversi utilizzi a benefici di carattere ambientale come il sequestro del C atmosferico nel suolo. La limitata longevità di questi sistemi colturali (10-20 anni), fornisce la possibilità di sfruttarli come una tecnica temporanea per rigenerare la fertilità dei terreni marginali e di studiare il loro effetto nel lungo periodo sul carbonio del suolo. Con questa tesi, avevo l'obiettivo di studiare l'effetto della riconversione a coltura annuali dei sistemi agricoli poliennali sul carbonio del suolo: per raggiungere questo obiettivo, ho combinato ad una meta-analisi di letteratura sull'effetto della riconversione, con un esperimento di campo di lungo periodo, un esperimento di incubazione in laboratorio e l'uso di un modello matematico del carbonio del suolo. L'uso combinato di questi approcci mi ha permesso di mostrare il potenziale che i sistemi colturali poliennali hanno nel sostenere il sequestro del C ne suolo anche dopo la loro riconversione. Quindi i sistemi colturali poliennali sono una pratica sostenibile promettente che può essere integrata in rotazioni agricole di 13 anni sui terreni marginali del nord d'Italia per ripristinare il carbonio del suolo. / The cultivation of perennial cropping systems on marginal lands combines the production of sustainable biomass for multiple uses with environmental benefits such as carbon (C) sequestration in soil. In this thesis, we studied the effect of perennial cropping system on soil C considering the scenario of perennial cropping systems reversion to arable land. The limited longevity (10-20 years) of perennial cropping systems, gives the possibility of using these crops as a temporary- option to restore soil fertility of marginal lands and to study the long-term legacy of these cropping systems on soil C. In this thesis I aimed to study the effect of perennial cropping systems reversion to arable land on soil C: to achieve this objective, I combined a literature meta-analysis on the effect of reversion of perennial cropping systems on soil C, with a long-term field experiment on perennial cropping systems, an incubation experiment and the use of a process-based soil C model. The combined use of these approaches gave me the chance to show the potential of perennial cropping systems to support C sequestration even after their reversion. Therefore, perennial cropping systems are a promising sustainable practice which could be integrated on a 13-year agricultural rotation on marginal lands of northern Italy to restore soil C.

Die vorliegende Arbeit konnte im Rahmen des vom Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) geförderten Verbundprojektes „Zukunftsorientierte Waldwirtschaft (1998-2003)“ erstellt werden. Dieses Vorhaben hat die bundesweiten Forderungen und Zielvorstellungen der Landesforstverwaltungen aufgegriffen, die nicht standortsgemäßen, naturfernen und instabilen Nadelbaumreinbestände umzubauen und den Anteil an Mischbeständen in den Forstbetrieben deutlich zu erhöhen. Neben ökonomischen Zielen sollte der Waldumbau vor allem auch ökologische Belange berücksichtigen. Dies wurde durch entsprechende Forschungsschwerpunkte vom BMBF wissenschaftlich begleitet. Die Vogelbeere (Gemeine Eberesche, Sorbus aucuparia L.) ist aufgrund ihrer hohen klimatischen und standörtlichen Anpassungsfähigkeit in den Mittelgebirgslagen Europas eine der häufigsten Nebenbaumarten in Fichtenwaldgesellschaften und künstlichen Fichtenforsten. Mit der vorliegenden Arbeit sollte geprüft werden, wie einzelbaumweise eingemischte Vogelbeeren, welche sich natürlich angesamt haben, frühzeitig in die Behandlung von Fichtenjungbeständen einbezogen werden können. Die Vogelbeere wird somit für eine erhebliche Dauer des Bestandeslebens – mindestens aber bis zum Zeitpunkt ihrer möglichen natürlichen Verjüngung – als ein vitales Bestandesglied im Sinne eines ökologischen Waldumbauverfahrens angesehen. Ziel war dabei die optimale Einzelbaumentwicklung der Vogelbeere hinsichtlich ihrer Dimension und Qualität, vor allem aber ihrer Vitalität. Grundlegend ist durch eine Abfrage in der Forsteinrichtungsdatenbank (FESA) für den Landeswald Sachsens das Flächenpotential an Fichtenjungbeständen bis zum Alter 50 Jahre in den mittleren Lagen erfasst worden, in denen natürlich angesamte und einzelbaumweise eingemischte Vogelbeeren vorkommen. Mit Hilfe einer terrestrischen Inventur wurden die ausgewählten Bestände stichprobenartig aufgesucht und dabei die vorkommenden Vogelbeeren hinsichtlich Dimension, Qualität, Vitalität und Schäden untersucht. Für ein waldbauliches Experiment sind weiterhin Fichtenjungbestände im Alter 16, 19, 26 und 32 Jahre auf Standorten mäßiger Trophie in den mittleren Lagen des sächsischen Forstbezirkes Bärenfels ausgewählt worden. In diesen Beständen wurden einzelbaumweise eingemischte Vogelbeeren unterschiedlicher soziologischer Stellung in den drei Varianten „keine“, „mäßige“ und „starke“ Freistellung gefördert. Die Zuwachsreaktionen verschiedener Baumkompartimente der untersuchten Vogelbeeren wurden in Abhängigkeit der Faktoren Alter, Freistellungsvariante und Konkurrenzsituation analysiert. Für einige Messungen war es notwendig dem Versuchsdesign auch Bäume destruktiv zu entnehmen. Insgesamt wurden ca. 700 ha Fichtenjungbestände erfasst, in denen die Vogelbeere einzelbaumweise in den Oberstand eingemischt war oder als weitere Baumart erwähnt wurde. Das durchschnittliche Mischprozent der Vogelbeere im Oberstand betrug ca. 16%. Die terrestrische Inventur zeigte, dass in den sehr jungen und kleinflächigen Beständen (mit bis zu 4 ha Größe) das Vorkommen der der Vogelbeeren am höchsten ist. Die Bäume sind dort zwar vor allem durch Mehrstämmigkeit (Garbenwuchs) gekennzeichnet, dennoch konnte bei den untersuchten Bäumen überwiegend eine gerade Stammform angesprochen werden. In den älteren Beständen stieg dann der Anteil der einschnürigen Stämme und Gabelungszwiesel, und zunehmend wurde die soziologische Stellung als „beherrscht“ und „unterdrückt“ für die Vogelbeeren angesprochen. Die erfassten Schälschäden fielen entgegen den Erwartungen vergleichsweise gering aus. Merkliche Schälschäden wurden erst in den beiden ältesten Fichtenaltersklassen angesprochen und diese nur als gering eingestuft. Die Einschätzung der Vitalität der Vogelbeeren mit Hilfe des baumartenunabhängigen Kronenanspracheschlüssels nach ROLOFF (2001) ergab in allen betrachteten Fichtenaltersklassen überwiegend eine geschwächte bis merklich geschwächte Vitalität. Die Ergebnisse des waldbaulichen Experimentes zeigten, dass die Wachstumsreaktionen der Vogelbeeren je nach betrachteter Fichtenaltersstufe unterschiedlich sind. Je früher eine Förderung erfolgt, umso stärker sind die Reaktionen des Einzelbaumes. Die freigestellten Bäume reagierten deutlich mit gesteigertem relativem BHD-Zuwachs, wobei die Kategorie „mäßige Freistellung“ am Ende der Beobachtungsperiode tendenziell die höchsten Werte besaß und dieser Zuwachs mit zunehmender Fichtenaltersstufe abnahm. Jahrringanalysen an Stammscheiben von entnommenen Probebäumen zeigten, dass die gesteigerte Zuwachsrate des Dickenwachstums nach 3 Vegetationsperioden wieder nachlässt. Das Höhenwachstum wurde in jeder beobachteten Fichtenaltersstufe und Konkurrenzsituation nicht signifikant durch die angewendeten Maßnahmen beeinflusst. Insgesamt zeichneten sich alle Probebäume durch hohe HD-Werte (im Mittel 138) aus, nur die Vogelbeeren der Fichtenaltersstufe 19 besaßen vergleichsweise stabile Werte unter 100. Die freigestellten Vogelbeeren entwickelten in allen betrachteten Altersstufen deutlich erweiterte Kronenschirmflächen und einen signifikanten Kronenradiuszuwachs. Die Ergebnisse der Gesamtblattmasseschätzungen zeigten für Vogelbeeren der Fichtenaltersstufe 26 deutliche Tendenzen, die belegen, dass geförderte Bäume mehr Blattmasse pro Baum ausgebildet haben als nicht geförderte Bäume. Die Anzahl der fruktifizierenden Bäume stieg von 41 % im Jahr 2001 auf 81 % im Jahr 2003, wobei die Stichprobe im Jahr 2003 um 17 Bäume durch destruktive Beprobungen reduziert gewesen ist. Es zeichnete sich ein Trend zum Anstieg der Fruchttrockenmasse je Vogelbeere in Abhängigkeit von der Freistellungsvariante ab, wobei stärker freigestellte Bäume mehr Fruchtmasse produzierten, als mäßig freigestellte Bäume (p = 0,029). Für einen mittleren Probebaum von ca. 5 cm BHD wurde eine Gesamtfeinwurzelmasse von ca. 202 g (R² = 0,30) und eine maximale horizontale Feinwurzelausbreitung von etwa 8 m ermittelt. Die höchsten mittleren Biomasseanteile an der gesamten oberirdischen Biomasse der Bäume hatte jeweils das Kompartiment „Stamm“, mit Anteilen zwischen 67 und 86 % über alle betrachteten Versuchsvarianten. Darauf folgen bei fast allen Versuchsvarianten die Biomasseanteile der Äste aus der Lichtkrone (ca. 5,5 bis 15,5 %). Die Blattbiomasse nimmt am Gesamtbaum einen verhältnismäßig geringen Anteil ein (zwischen 3,1 und 12,4 % über alle Varianten). Die jüngeren Bäume der Fichtenaltersstufe 16 hatten über alle Versuchsvarianten verhältnismäßig hohe Blattmasseanteile im Vergleich zu den Bäumen der Fichtenaltersstufe 26. Insgesamt hat die starke Freistellung tendenziell das Allokationsverhältnis zugunsten der Astbiomasse verschoben. Die älteren Bäume bildeten weniger Blattbiomasse im Vergleich zur Stammbiomasse. Einzelbaumweise eingemischte Vogelbeeren können als ideale Mischbaumart für einen ökologischen Waldumbau, speziell in jungen Fichtenreinbeständen, angesehen werden. Die Vogelbeere findet sich auf natürlichem Wege in diesen Beständen ein, wenn eine ausreichende Präsenz an fruktifizierenden Altbäumen gewährleistet ist. Um sie als wertvolle Zeitmischung zu erhalten, muss sie aber als eigenständiger Z-Baum Eingang in die Waldbaustrategien der Fichtenjungbestände finden, indem sie frühzeitig und regelmäßig gefördert wird. Ein passendes Wildmanagement sollte dabei Schäden an den Bäumen weitestgehend vermeiden, welche die Qualität und Vitalität, und somit den Erhalt der Vogelbeeren, nachweislich gefährden. Aus ökologischem Blickwinkel erfahren Standort, Fauna und Flora der Fichtenreinbestände durch die Präsenz geförderter und somit vitaler Vogelbeeren eine Aufwertung. Die freigestellten Bäume produzieren höhere Blattbiomassen, die nachweislich zu einer Verbesserung der Humusauflage führen, und von gesteigerten Fruktifikationsraten können Insekten und Säugetiere profitieren. Eine erhöhte unterirdische Wurzelaktivität und entsprechende Bodenmelioration wird zudem angenommen. Wenn geeignete Verjüngungsnischen in näherer Umgebung der Einzelbäume existieren, kann mit einer konsequent und regelmäßig geförderten Vogelbeere auch dem Nachhaltsumbau für die Gestaltung von zukünftigen Bestandesgenerationen gedient werden. Weiterhin kann sie als eine geeignete Baumart hinsichtlich der Gestaltung eines Risikomanagements nach Störungen und Katastrophen angesehen werden, da sie aufgrund ihrer Eigenschaften für eine rasche Wiederbewaldung sorgt. Vor dem Hintergrund eines prognostizierten Klimawandels stellt sie zudem mit ihrer standörtlichen Anspruchslosigkeit eine geeignete Mischbaumart für zukünftige Bestockungen dar. Die vorliegende Arbeit konnte zeigen, dass das Wuchspotential der Vogelbeere in bisherigen Untersuchungen und daraus resultierenden Erkenntnissen unterschätzt wurde. Konsequent gepflegte Vogelbeeren ohne Wildschäden existieren kaum und konnten somit kaum untersucht werden. An dieser Stelle besteht weiterer Forschungsbedarf, welcher auf längerfristigen Versuchsaufbauten basieren sollte. / The present work is part of the joint research program „Zukunftsorientierte Waldwirtschaft (1998-2003)“ which was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The program acted on nationwide requests and formulated goals of federal forest administrations to convert artificial and instable conifer stands unsuited to the site and to significantly increase the portion of mixed populations. Besides economic goals the conversion measures primarily were to consider ecological needs. These were assured by scientific super-vision by the BMBF in respective focal programs. Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.) exhibits high climatic and habitational adoptability. Therefore, it is a major secondary tree species in Europe’s average mountain ranges both in natural and artificial spruce forests. This work aimed to investigate how naturally seeded single tree admixtures of rowan can precociously be integrated into the management of young spruce stands. By rowan is viewed as a vital member of stand for a considerable part of the stand`s lifecycle in the sense of natural forest conversion, at least until its potential natural rejuvenation. The major goal in this approach was an ideal single tree development of rowan with respect to dimension, quality and, above all, its vitality. As a basis, the areal potential of young spruce stands aged up to 50 years in the mid altitudinal ranges containing naturally seeded single tree admixtures of rowan was determined by querying the forest inventory system database of the Federal Forest of Saxony (FESA). Selected stands were visited at random in the frame of a terrestrial inventory and found rowans were examined with respect to dimension, quality, vitality and damage. Furthermore, young spruce stands in the age of 16, 19, 26 and 32 years at sites of moderate trophic level at midaltitude of the Saxon forestry district Bärenfels were selected for a silvicultural experiment. In these stands single tree admixtures of rowans differing in sociological situation were supported by either no, moderate or strong thinning. Growth responses of different tree compartments of the examined rowans were analyzed in relation to the factors age, thinning variant and competition. For some measurements destructive removal of trees from the experimental design became necessary. In total, approx.700 ha of young spruce stands containing rowan as single tree admixtures in the overstorey or as additional tree species records were registered. The average percentage of mountain as in the overstorey was approx. 16 %. The terrestrial inventory demonstrated that very young stands with small plot sizes (up to 4 ha) exhibit the highest occurrence of rowan. Even though trees are mainly characterized by several secondary trunks here, straightshaped stems could be found in the majority of examined individuals. In older stands the percentage of constricted and bifurcated stems raised and sociological position of the rowan trees was increasingly determined as “dominated” and “repressed”. Recorded stripping damage was low in contrast to expectations. Notable stripping damage was only found in the two oldest age classes of spruce and was determined as low. The vitality assessment of the rowans using the tree species independent crown assessment method according to ROLOFF (2001) resulted predominantly in a weakened to substantially weakened vitality. Results of the silvicultural experiment demonstrated the growth reactions of rowan differ depending on the age class of spruces under investigation. The earlier crown release is initiated the stronger are the reactions of a single tree. Released trees considerably reacted by enhanced increment of relative diameter at breast height with the category of “moderate thinning” in direction showed highest values at the end of the observation period while this increment decreased with increasing age class of the spruces. Treering analysis of stem disks from removed individuals revealed that the enhanced rate of diameter growth decreased again after 3 vegetation periods. Vertical growth was not significantly influenced by the taken measures in any of the spruce age classes or competitive situations under investigation. Overall, all trees under investigation were characterized by high height to diameter ratios (mean of 138) with only rowans of age category 19 exhibiting relatively stable values below 100. Released rowans developed markedly expanded crown areas in all investigated ageclasses and a significantly elevated increment in crown diameter. Results of the total leaf biomass estimations revealed clear tendencies for rowans in the spruce age category 26. These prove the supported trees having developed more leaf biomass per individual as nonsupported. The number of fructifying trees rose from 41 % in 2001 to 81 % in 2003 whereas the sample size was reduced by 17 in 2003 by destructive sampling. A tendency of increased dry fruit mass per rowan berry depending on the release variant could be seen with stronger released trees producing more fruit mass than moderately released ones (p=0.029). For an average sample tree of approx. 5 cm breast height diameter a total hair root mass of approx. 202 g (R² = 0.30) and a maximum horizontal hair root distribution of approx. 8 m was determined. Highest mean portions of overall aboveground biomass of the trees were assigned to the stem compartment with percentages ranging from 67 to 86 % throughout all experimental variants. These were followed by the biomass portions of branches from the light crown (approx. 5.5 to 15.5 %). The leaf biomass accounts for a comparatively low proportion of the tree (between 3.1 und 12.4 % throughout all variants). The younger trees of spruce age category 16 had relatively high portions of leaf biomass as compared to trees of spruce age category 26. Altogether the strong release shifted the allocation pattern in favor of the branches biomass. Older trees developed less leaf biomass compared to stem biomass. Single tree admixtures of rowan can be considered ideal for ecological forest conversion, especially in young spruce stands. Rowan naturally adapts to these stands if a sufficient presence of fructifying, old trees is ensured. To preserve it as valuable temporal mixture, it has to make its way into forestry planting strategies for young spruce stands as an autonomous future tree by being receiving early and regular support. Associated wildlife management should as far as possible avoid damage of the trees endangering quality and vitality and by that preservation of rowans. From an ecological perspective the site, fauna and flora of pure spruce stands experience a revaluation through the presence of supported and therefore vital rowans. The released trees produce higher amounts of leaf biomass demonstrably leading to an amelioration of the humus layer and insects and mammals can profit from enhanced fructification rates. Furthermore, an increased underground root activity and related soil melioration is assumed. If suitable regeneration niches exist nearby the single trees, consequently and regularly supported rowans can as well serve sustainable conversion for the design of future generations of tree populations. Furthermore it can be considered a suitable tree species in view of the creation of a risk management plan following disturbances and catastrophes as its characteristics ensure fast reforestation. Against the background of a predicted climate change the rowan with its habitational modesty constitutes a suitable species for future stockings. The present work could demonstrate a clear underestimation of the growth potential of rowan in studies to date and their resulting conclusions. Consequently maintained rowans without damage caused by game do rarely exist and could therefore rarely be examined. Here, additional research is needed which should be based on longerterm experimental setups.