Quantity and quality of deadwood in the mid-successional stage in oriental Beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) stands (Case study: Kheyrood forest, Nowshahr)

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 M.Sc. Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

2 Prof., Department of Forestry and Forest Economics, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

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

4 Assistant Prof., Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

5 Ph.D. Student Forestry, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch and member of Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran, Iran

6 Ph.D. Student Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

Abstract

Deadwood is widely recog­nized as an extremely important structural and functional component of forest communities. Therefore, understanding its role and dynamics are important to improve forest management strategies in both managed and unmanaged forests. The aim of this study was to analyze the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of dead trees in the mid-succession stage in intact mixed oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) forests of Kheyrood,, Mazandaran province. Three one-ha sample plots were laid out in compartment 310 of Gorazbon district, in which a number of quantitative (diameter at breast height≥7.5cm and height) and qualitative (species, type of deadwood (log or snag) and decay class) characteristics were recorded. Our results indicated the mean volume of deadwood of 37.8 m3 ha-1. In addition, common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) possessed the highest frequency (64%) of the deadwood among the species. The frequency and volume proportions of logs were 74.7% and 69.3%, respectively, and the maximum amount of deadwood was observed in the large timber size (50-75 cm). As conclusion, forest management planning should pass an adequate attention to succession stage and the amount of deadwood to guarantee the health, long lasting productivity and sustainability of forest ecosystem.
 

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research
Volume 24, Issue 4 - Serial Number 66
January 2017
Pages 622-612

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