Studying the plants species diversity under microtopography in mixed beech forests, case study: Deldareh forests, Nowshahr

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Research Assistant, Research Dept. of Natural Resources, Golestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Gorgan, Iran

2 Assistant Prof., Forest Science & Engineering, University of Mohaghegh ArdabiliProfessor, Forest Science & Engineering, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili

3 Associate Prof., Forest Science & Engineering, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili

4 Lecturer Assistant, Dept. of Plant Protection, Golestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Gorgan, Iran

Abstract

The uprooting of large trees leads to the formation of depressions in the root area and plate-like features next to it, which are referred to as pit and mound microtopography. For studying the plant species diversity in these positions, Deldareh forests, Nowshahr was selected. For this purpose, all pits and mounds were identified in 70 ha of the study area. The presence and frequency of plant species were recorded on these positions and each pit and mound was compared with a plot 2×4m located 25m far from these positions. Firs, to analyze the plant species, biodiversity indices were computed. Then, to study SIV in each position, relative frequency, relative density, and relative dominance were also calculated. The results indicated all indices of diversity and richness had significant difference between positions, except the Simpson one. Accordingly, in the comparison between the pit and control positions, the control position, and between the control and mound positions, the mound position had higher values of the indices. Also, neither of both evenness indices showed a significant difference between different positions. The study of the SIV also showed that in all positions, there is a normal logarithmic curve. The findings of the present study show the high ability of pit and mound effects on increasing the species richness in forest stands. Therefore, the design of silviculture methods should be such that by maintaining and increasing the thickn trees, a certain number of pit and mound microtopography remains per unit area.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Forest
Volume 14, Issue 1
June 2022
Pages 1-13

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History

  • Receive Date: 08 December 2020
  • Revise Date: 01 April 2021
  • Accept Date: 28 April 2021

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