Dead wood volume in Beech forests in Vitosha and Stara Planina Mountains in Bulgaria

Dead wood is an important structural and functional component in forest ecosystems. It is a major factor in the protection and maintenance of biodiversity. In this regard, the aim of the present study is to determine the stocks of dead wood in beech forests in Vitosha and Stara Planina Mountains in Bulgaria. The standing biomass was calculated using height rates tables, the lying biomass - using the method of intersecting lines, and the stumps - by height and diameter. Degrees of decomposition are on standard scales. The obtained results are in the range of 9.93 - 34.72 m3 ·ha-1 , with the predominant share being the lying dead biomass, which varies between 96% and 51%. Dead trees of all stages of decay are observed. In the lying biomass, the initial decomposition stages A (35%) and B (46%) predominate. For the stumps, the last degree of decomposition D (44%) prevails. The obtained results show insufficient amounts of dead biomass from an environmental point of view.