Natural regeneration in a beech-dominated forest managed by close-to-nature principles - a gap cutting based experiment

European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is increasingly managed by close-to-nature principles, mimicking the gap dynamics of seminatural forests. The prime aim of this study was to analyse natural regeneration reliability under favourable conditions in newly formed gaps. A total of 12 gaps were created by felling three canopy trees for each gap: six gaps in each of the two winters 1996-1997 and 1997-1998. One-half of the gaps were fenced against deer. We recorded advance regeneration density (1997), regeneration density and height (1997-2002), relative light intensity (1997-2002), and volumetric soil moisture content (1997-2002). We also studied the effect of year of establishment, fenced versus unfenced, and position within gap on regeneration. Three or 4 years after gap formation, most gaps had nearly closed. Response of European beech, European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), and sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) regeneration to gap formation was limited, and few seedlings were added to the advance regeneration pool during the study period. Other factors, such as relative light intensity, soil moisture, fencing, year of establishment, and position within gaps, all had rather low effects, Thus, the presence of advance regeneration appeared to be a key factor in explaining regeneration patterns in artificially created gaps.