Using Satellite Imagery and Aerial Orthophotos for the Multi-Decade Monitoring of Subalpine Norway Spruce Stands Changes in Gorce National Park, Poland

In the last 50 years, forest disturbances, caused mainly by insect outbreaks and windstorms, had a significant impact on subalpine Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) stands across Europe. The high intensity of these factors often led to complete dieback existing stands, as in Gorce National Park (Southern Poland). aim this study was monitor land cover changes their dynamics NP years 1977–2020 (43 years), with use archival remote sensing data. area divided into two subareas: A—the Kudłoń B—the Jaworzyna range. Changes were tracked six defined classes, based available aerial orthophotos Landsat (NASA) imagery, help authors’ photointerpretation key. results showed that almost 50% old-growth died analyzed time period (50.9% subarea A; 48.8% B). However, young forests appeared 17% (20.7% 14.2% A B, respectively). different for subareas; processes weakened at end period, whereas B they maintained intensity. process is still occurring NP, but it does not result disappearance whole ecosystem rather generational change, due emerging forests.