baumzaehlen - Primeval Forests & Their Trees

Wasserkar Primeval Forest, Austria

One could think the largest primeval forests of Central Europe would be located in the high altitudes of the Alps. However, the high altitude regions were already settled in the Bronze Age; extensive deforestation happened between the 8^th and 14^th centuries ¹. Wasserkar in the Blühnbach Valley is a very rare example of subalpine virgin forest with Larix decidua (European larch).

The reserve (35 ha ²), particularly its upper part, is very difficult to reach. As parking along the road running through the valley is not allowed without a special permit, an 11 km hike from Tenneck is first needed. The primeval forest is not marked in any way. It is located on a north-facing steep slope that is possible to reach from the north. From all other directions the forest is protected by high cliffs. There may have been wood extraction in the past from the lowest part of the reserve; at least trees felled by wind were removed². Ascending further, however, there is a very steep rockslide passable at only a few points. Low Pinus mugo (dwarf mountain pine) thickets grow on these very steep rocky sites, making the access even more difficult. The rockslide has protected the upper parts of the reserve, which are virtually untouched². For pasturing, the area was too small².

The slope is slightly less steep above the rockslide. Picea abies (Norway spruce) dominates up to 1350 m, then P. abies together with L. decidua, and from 1550 m up to the tree line at 1700 m L. decidua dominates alone². There is abundant P. abies regeneration in the L. decidua forest, too, but it is not capable of developing further due to the cold climate². There are also a few Sorbus aucuparia (European rowan) and Aria edulis (syn. Sorbus aria, whitebeam). Pinus cembra (Swiss pine), a common companion of L. decidua ³, is missing here².

When planted in lowlands, L. decidua is one of the tallest European tree species, with heights up to 53.8 m ⁴. However, in its native range L. decidua never occurs in its optimal growing conditions; the natural L. decidua forests exist simply because the species resists the harsh climate better than the other trees³. In Wasserkar L. decidua reaches approx. 30 m in height. The forest is open with abundant windfalls.

Browsing of chamois and red deer is severe² and their traces and paths are abundant. On the contrary, human traces are entirely absent. Annual precipitation is approx. 2300 mm, with a summer maximum, and the average annual temperature (probably in the lowermost part) 4°C ². The soil is lime rich².

References:

1       Parviainen, J. (2005): Virgin and natural forests in the temperate zone of Europe. For. Snow Landsc. Res. 79, 1/2: 9–18.

2       Mayer, H. & Wallmann. R. (1987): Der Urwaldrest Lärchenwiesenwald im Wasserkar (Blühnbachtal). In Mayer. H. (ed.): Urwaldreste, Naturwaldreservate und schützenswerte Naturwälder in Österreich. Institut für Waldbau, BOKU.

3       Ellenberg, H. (1996): Vegetation Mitteleuropas mit den Alpen. Ulmer.

4       https://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/deu/hesse/vogelsbergkreis/4524_richthof/10650/