Distribution of old trees and their ecological sites characteristics in the Mazandaran Province, Iran

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 Assistant Prof., Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Mazandaran Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Sari, Iran

2 Senior Research Expert, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agriculture Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

3 Associate prof., Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Mazandaran Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Sari, Iran

4 Senior Research Expert, Mazandaran Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Iran

Abstract

      As part of project of identification and introducing old trees of Iran, this study was conducted to identify the old trees of the Mazandaran province and their ecological characteristics. Based on comprehensive field survey, 182 old trees were identified and recorded. Thirty three trees and shrub species were identified, among them chestnut-leaved oak (Quercus castaneifolia C. A. Mey.) with 30 trees was the most frequent species. Also, Siberian elm (Zelkova carpinifolia (Pall.) Dipp.) with 29 trees and plane tree (Platanus orientalis L.) with 21 trees, followed by wild pear (Pyrus Boissieriana Buhse), ironwood (Parrotia persica (DC.) C. A. Mey.), false walnut (Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Lam.) Spach), olive (Olea europaea L.), silk tree (Albizia julibrissin Durazz.) were the recorded species. The species of Quercus castaneifolia C. A. Mey. as the highest diameter and longest tree (60.4 m) in Iran was identified and its information was recorded. The long-lived trees were generally in sea side to 3000 m altitude. The most distribution was found in none slope and aspects (flat). Also the old trees had the most frequency in 400> m class. The highest mean diameter were in 400-1600 m and the highest crown area recorded at the slope range of 0 to 60%. The oldest tree in the province was estimated to be an 850-900 years old plane in Kinj, followed by an individual yew (Taxus baccata L.) of 400-450 years old in Gazo of Savadkouh, a juniper (Juniperus excels M. B.) with 850-950 years old in Babol, a Quercus castaneifolia with 550-600 years old in Bandpey of Babol, and a maple tree (Acer velutinum L.) of 650-700 years old in Tonekabon. The sites embracing the old trees included Sordar, Javaherdeh in Ramsar, Hassanabad in Chaloos, Kordmir of Chahardangeh-Sari, and Nour forest park, which should be specifically protected.

Keywords

References

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