Leaves Polymorphism and Fruit Shapes Variation of Sorbus Torminalis (L.) Crantz in Hyrcanian Forest

Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz as a rare native species in Iran which grows between 70 to 2400 meters high sea level in Guilan province. Sorbus torminalis with yellow autumn color and edible fruit make it as a multipurpose tree for future. The objective of this study was to investigate the morphology type of leaves and fruits shape. Four observation sites were selected in different elevation. The leaves samples were collected at 6 meters height of tree in north and south aspect. Leaves width, leaves length and petiole were measured. Due to scarce fruit, nearly 2 Kg fruit were collected from 6 trees in each site. Fruit shape was distinguished through visual examination of 600 fruits. Length and width of fruit was measured. Obtained results were showed that the Sorbus torminalis revealed high polymorphism in leaves shape. Two distinct Sorbus torminalis fruit type were observed spheroid (apple shape) and ellipsoid (pear shape) rounded. The highest mean value of fruit length was 12.47mm from Gardelehposht site was significantly different with the other studies sites. The highest mean value of fruit width was 9.97mm from Janbehsara site which was highly significant difference with other studies site. This study was the first step in fulfilling the criteria enabling characterization and assessment of variability which facilitate Sorbus torminalis germplasm recognition and exchange

Ecological species groups in the rural heritage museum of Guilan Province, Iran

The objective of this research was to identify and describe the different Ecological Species Groups (vegetation types) present in the Rural Heritage Museum of Guilan. The study area was approximately 260 ha, which is located in the Saravan Forest Park in Guilan province, north of Iran. Sampling procedure was performed with a systematic random technique. A total of 89 plots were sampled. Classification of vegetation carried out using the Two Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN) method showed that there were five ecological species groups in three layers; three groups in the shrub layer, nine groups in the herb layer and six ecological species groups in the regeneration layer. The results suggest improved protection and management of this area and that it can be proposed as a protected area on the basis of the numerous important species. The information obtained from the current study about this forest is useful for the design and management of this site because of its aesthetic values

The effect of grazing and anthropogenic disturbances on floristic and physiognomic characteristics in oriental beech communities, Masal Forest, Iran

This study aimed to investigate floristic and physiognomic characteristics of all plant species in relation to grazing and anthropogenic disturbances. So that, 100 ha beech communities were studied including 50 ha as protected and 50 ha as unprotected area of oriental beech communities in Masal forest, Guilan Province, Iran. The results indicated that the number of all species were higher in the protected area. The main family of the protected area was the Rosaceae, while in the unprotected area the Asteracea had the highest frequency. To identify and classify forest types in both areas, we used the proportion of each tree species larger than 7.5 cm in diameter to determine species dominance according to the classification method of Gorji Bahri. The applied tree classification method indicated that there were three main types and two secondary types in the protected area, whereas six main types were identified in the unprotected area. Physiognomic studies indicated that trees from both areas were in the same height classes, whereas, the total canopy cover percentage was higher in the protected area. Height classes and canopy cover percentage of deciduous broadleaf in shrub layer, were significantly higher in unprotected area than in protected one. In the latter area, the coverpercentage of herbaceous species was different. So that, forbs species had the highest coverpercentage. According to these results, destructive factors have altered the main composition in these communities. So that, avoid of livestock grazing and local people in these areas or livestock exclusion can be recommended as a management

An overview of the rotifers of the family Notommatidae (Rotifera: Monogononta: Ploima) from Iran

The diversity and distribution of the rotifers family Notommatidae was studied in the northwest, the south and the southwest of Iran. In total, 29 species were identified, of which, 25 are new records for the country. New records include the following species: Cephalodella forficata, C. cf. mus, C. vittata, C. ventripes, C. lepida, C. inquilina, C. gibboides, C. tincaformis , C. obvia, C. sterea, C. physalis, C. gracilis, Eosphora najas, E. Ehrenberg, E. therina, E. anthadis, Eothina elongate, Monommata actices, Notommata pygma, N. glyphura, N. diasema, N. brachyota, Resticula nyssa, R. melandocusa and Pleurotrocha atlantica. Spatial and temporal patterns of the species diversity were evaluated. Descriptions are provided for all the identified species in detail. Biogeography and environmental conditions favorable for identified species were referred. A great richness of rotifers in aquatic environments is generally found in regions where vegetation predominates, either in aquatic or in the ecotone zone between aquatic and terrestrial environments

Tallo: A global tree allometry and crown architecture database.

This is the final version. Available from Wiley via the DOI in this record. Data capturing multiple axes of tree size and shape, such as a tree's stem diameter, height and crown size, underpin a wide range of ecological research-from developing and testing theory on forest structure and dynamics, to estimating forest carbon stocks and their uncertainties, and integrating remote sensing imagery into forest monitoring programmes. However, these data can be surprisingly hard to come by, particularly for certain regions of the world and for specific taxonomic groups, posing a real barrier to progress in these fields. To overcome this challenge, we developed the Tallo database, a collection of 498,838 georeferenced and taxonomically standardized records of individual trees for which stem diameter, height and/or crown radius have been measured. These data were collected at 61,856 globally distributed sites, spanning all major forested and non-forested biomes. The majority of trees in the database are identified to species (88%), and collectively Tallo includes data for 5163 species distributed across 1453 genera and 187 plant families. The database is publicly archived under a CC-BY 4.0 licence and can be access from: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6637599. To demonstrate its value, here we present three case studies that highlight how the Tallo database can be used to address a range of theoretical and applied questions in ecology-from testing the predictions of metabolic scaling theory, to exploring the limits of tree allometric plasticity along environmental gradients and modelling global variation in maximum attainable tree height. In doing so, we provide a key resource for field ecologists, remote sensing researchers and the modelling community working together to better understand the role that trees play in regulating the terrestrial carbon cycle.Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)Natural Environment Research Council (NERC); Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech RepublicFAPEMIGUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoConsejo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaSwedish Energy AgencyUKRIFederal Ministry of Education and ResearchNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaNational Science FoundationNational Science FoundationInternational Foundation for ScienceP3FACDynAfForNanjing Forestry UniversityJiangsu Science and Technology Special ProjectHebei UniversityAgence Nationale de la RechercheAgence Nationale de la RechercheAgua Salud ProjectU.S. Department of EnergyCAPE

Effect of Conservation on Spatial Pattern of Dominant Trees in Beech (Fagus Orientalis Lipsky) Communities, (Case Study: Masal, Guilan)

Spatial patterns are suitable tools for optimal management in many forested areas. In this research, the effect of conservation on spatial pattern of dominant trees has been studied. To achieving this purpose, protected and non- protected forests were selected in Masal region of Guilan province as the study area. Sampling methods including fixed- area plots and distance methods, such as T- square and compound sampling were used 25 circle sample plots, each with an area 1000 m2and 25 sampling points were taken. Then, tree species in plot samples and the distance of interest were identified and measured. Dispersion indices such as Green, Morisata, standardized Morisata, Hopkins, Eberhart, Johnson and Zimmer, Hines and C were used to analyze the spatial pattern in the areas. All indices related to plot samples indicated the clumped pattern for dominant species in protected and non- protected areas. The results of the distance indices have indicated that destruction changes the spatial pattern of dominant species and these species had different pattern in these areas. Among the distance indices, C and Hines indices revealed differences and they were suitable to describe the spatial pattern of both areas

Plant ecological groups and soil properties of common hazel (Corylus avellana L.) stand in Safagashteh forest, north of Iran

Abstract In Safragashteh forest of Fuman in north of Iran, there is a hazel stand, which has grown naturally. The aim of this research was to evaluate the plant communities and soil characteristics in the area. This study included 50 ha of hazel protected area. A selective sampling method was utilized to record 30 400 m2 for tree and shrub layers, and sub-plots of 100 m2 for herbaceous species. Soil samples were collected at the 30 plots. We found three ecological species groups in the study area. Corylus avellana and Epimedium pinnatum in first group, Fagus orientalis, Asperula odorata, Euphorbia amygdaloides, Carex sp., Fragaria vesca and Viola sylvestris in second group, and Crataegus microphylla, Ilex spinigera, Primula heterochroma, Sedum stoloniferum and Vicia crocea in thirth group were the indicator species. Sand percent was significantly highest in Corylus avellana group, while clay, nutrients elements, pH and SP were significantly highest in the other groups. Biodiversity indices in Corylus avellana group were significantly less than other stands. We recommend to provide comprehensive conservation and management programs in order to protect of common hazel, associated plant species, and to prevent of human activities such as recreational use and livestock.</jats:p

Modeling the Degradation of Hyrcanian Forests Using Logestic Regression Method (Case Study: Shenrood Forests, Guilan)

Having accurate quantitative and qualitative information about the state of forest stands, is necessary for any basic management and planning, to reduce the effects of forest degradation. The current study aimed to model the destruction of Hyrcanian forests under the effects of density and volume (per hectare) variables, using logistic regression. In total, 252 plots of 1000 m2 area were measured. In each sample plot, species name, Diameter at Breast Height (DBH), height, density, volume and the presence or absence of forest degradation were measured and recorded. To model forest degradation, logistic regression model was utilized and Omnibus test, log-likelihood and pseudo r-square (Cox&Snell and Nagelkerke) coefficients were used to evaluate the  model. Results showed that the mean of density and volume of trees were 136.8 tree and 239.9 m3/ha, respectively. In addition, the results indicated that 46.82% of the study area was degraded. The results of correlation test showed that there was a srtong negative correlation between quantitative variables and the forest degradation. The independent variables of density and volume of trees were respectively explained 61.6 to 82.3% of the variance of the dependent variable (forest degradation). Among the input variables of the regression model, the effects of density and volume were significant on the forest degradation and it was possible to predict the changes of dependent variables (presence or absence of forest degradation)

Effect of Environmental Factors on Rangeland Vegetation Distribution in Divan-Darre Area, Kurdistan

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical and chemical properties of soils with vegetation distribution in Divan-Darre rangeland as one of the most important rangelands in Kurdistan province. For this purpose, a random systematic 150 m &times; 200 m gird sampling plan was used to establish 90 sampling plots. In each plot, soil factors and percent cover of each plant species were recorded. The minimal area method was utilized to determine the sample size in the herbaceous layer in this study that it was obtained 4m2. Percent cover of each species was estimated base on the Braun-Blanquet criterion. Vegetation classification was done to determine ecological species group using Cluster method. Ward&rsquo;s method used to calculate the distance amongst clusters, and Euclidean method for distance index was used. The result of clustering analysis was indicated that four ecological species groups were found. Multivariate analysis was performed to detect the relationship between the physiographic, soil factors and the ecological groups. The most important physiographic and soil factors in these communities were belonged to N, K, OC, OM, pH, SP%, soil texture (clay, sand, and silt), EC, elevation, aspect and slope. Since each plant species has the specific ecological requirements to soil properties and physiographic factors, study of them can be used to improve vegetation restoration

Leaves polymorphism and fruit shapes variation of Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz in Hyrcanian forest

Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz as a rare native species in Iran which grows between 70 to 2400 meters high sea level in Guilan province. Sorbus torminalis with yellow autumn color and edible fruit make it as a multipurpose tree for future. The objective of this study was to investigate the morphology type of leaves and fruits shape. Four observation sites were selected in different elevation. The leaves samples were collected at 6 meters height of tree in north and south aspect. Leaves width, leaves length and petiole were measured. Due to scarce fruit, nearly 2 Kg fruit were collected from 6 trees in each site. Fruit shape was distinguished through visual examination of 600 fruits. Length and width of fruit was measured. Obtained results were showed that the Sorbus torminalis revealed high polymorphism in leaves shape. Two distinct Sorbus torminalis fruit type were observed spheroid (apple shape) and ellipsoid (pear shape) rounded. The highest mean value of fruit length was 12.47mm from Gardelehposht site was significantly different with the other studies sites. The highest mean value of fruit width was 9.97mm from Janbehsara site which was highly significant difference with other studies site. This study was the first step in fulfilling the criteria enabling characterization and assessment of variability which facilitate Sorbus torminalis germplasm recognition and exchange