Repetition of vegetation and rejuvenation of open spaces at Scheuchegg and Hochsteg (National Park Gesäuse)

On the Scheuchegg-Alm and in the Hochsteg area, larger open spaces were created by bark beetle infestation in 2009/10. Due to the extinction of trees, the microclimate at these sites suddenly changed, resulting in the spread of competitive, vicious species. In the course of the re-uptake, the state of the land was documented on the basis of vegetation, rejuvenation and forest structure in summer 2020. The aim of the repeated study was to assess the vegetation composition, natural regeneration and forest structure at Bark Beetle Areas. The death of trees abruptly changed the Microclimate at these sites, resulting in a spread of competitive, fast growing species.