Changes in forest stand structure in a permanent plot established in Neka-Zalemroud forest plan

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 Assistant Prof., Research Division of Natural Resourses, Mazandaran Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, AREEO

2 Ph.D. Student Forestry, Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natuarl Resources, Gorgan Agricultural and Natural Resources University

3 Associate Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO)

4 Research Expert, Research Division of Natural Resourses, Mazandaran Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, AREEO

Abstract

A permanent sample plot with an area of 6 ha is located on mid elevation of the Neka-Zalemrood forest, south of Sari in northern Iran. After fencing the plot, a metal tag indicating tree number was installed on each tree. A full calipering was conducted, which was followed by measuring the diameter at breast height (DBH) and height of selected trees. Forest structure, proportion of dead wood, and proportion of tree species were studied for a period between 2006 and 2012. Results of the inventory of the total 2375 trees in 2012 showed three storeys and an uneven-aged structure in Fagus orientalis-Carpinus betulus forest type. Further results included mean tree number of 389 ha-1, mean basal area of 43 m2ha-1, mean stand volume of 538 m3ha-1, and De' Liocourt factor of 1.38. Dead trees accounted for 3.1% of the total tree number and 5.7% of the stand volume. Comparison between the two inventories (2006 and 2012) showed that beech trees gained a higher proportion among the tree species in almost all diameter classes, while hornbeam lost more of its presence in the diameter classes. Amongst the DBH classes < 30cm, the proportional difference between beech and hornbeam was more obvious. Compared to hornbeam, Parrotia persica and Diospyrus lotus showed more presence in the DBH classes of 30 to 50cm. Volume of damaged trees (broken, hollow, snag and log) was accounted for 97 m3ha-1, while for dead wood was 30.6 m3ha-1. Within the six-year study period, hollow large trees have been fallen down. Mortality of trees in DBH classes < 50cm provided a lot of scattered small gaps within the stand and supported the establishment of younger individuals and cohorts. In addition, almost 9.6 m3ha-1, comprising 1.6% of the total volume, 28% of dead trees and 8.9% of damaged trees was decomposed. All in all the studies forest was concluded to be tending from the senility to juvenility in forest succession.

Keywords


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