Situation of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) in Latvia in the active phase of stand destruction. Forest site type and Quarternary deposits

Abstract

At present, 87.9% of all ash stands in Latvia are found on dry soils, where groundwater does not affect the root system of trees, and 94.3% of ash stands are distributed in eutrophic habitats, saturated with exchange bases and biologically active nitrogen. In Latvia, ash stands are found mainly on the loose sediments of sandy till and clayey till in highland and rise landscapes, as well as on silty glaciolymnic sediments in the lowlands. Sand sediments in the coastal lowlands and riverine landscapes, as well as peat sediments in both highland and lowland landscapes are not suitable for ash forest stands.