Directions and the scope of changes in the species composition of individual layers in secondary pine communities belonging to the class Querco-Fagetea Br.-Bl. & Vlieg. 1937 (tree stand, shrubs and vascular plants of the herb layer) observed at two study plots over almost 40 years (from 1971 until 2009) are discussed. Both tree stands were planted and they are in the phase of spontaneous regeneration towards a potential natural community – the Carpathian beech forest Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum Oberd. 1953. Species with greater light requirements (pine Pinus sylvestris L., aspen Populus tremula L., oak Quercus robur L., ecologically alien to the potential plant community, retreat from the tree and shrub layers. The share of tree species typical of the potential community (beech Fagus sylvatica L., hornbeam Carpinus betulus L., sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus L.) – in the tree stands increases. The rate of changes is particularly high for beech, while regression symptoms are noticed for fir Abies alba Mill.: a decrease in the abundance and share of fir in both tree-stands was recorded. A decrease in the abundance and frequency of the majority of species, including species characteristic of deciduous forests (class Querco-Fagetea) and beech forests (order Fagetalia sylvaticae Pawł.1928), and an increase in species typical of alder-ash riparian forests (alliance Alno-Ulmion Br.-Bl. & Tx. 1943) and nitrophilous communities were observed in the herb layer. Conversion treatment may reinforce the artificial character of the community because the species composition, as well as the spatial and age structure of the tree stands, can be arbitrary and therefore artificially formed during conversion (arbitrary applied size and order of regeneration clumps and areas). When anthropogenic communities are left undisturbed, processes affecting all phytocoenotic layers are activated and spontaneous forest regeneration usually begins. Therefore, tree-stand conversion used as a tool to restore natural community is not effective.
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