Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of deadwoods in mixed beech-hornbeam stands in the optimal stage (Case study: Kheyrood forest, Nowshahr)

Study of natural stands structure as well as knowledge of developmental stages and dynamic process in the natural forest stands for applying close to nature silviculture methods, ensures multiple functions of forests such as ecological balance and socio-economic needs assessment. The aim of this study was to quantification of the structural characteristics of natural mixed oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) stands in the optimal stage. For this purpose three sample plots, each one ha (100 × 100m), were selected in the compartment 326 of Gorazbon district in the research and educational Kheyrood forest, and height and diameter at breast height (dbh) of all trees with dbh larger than 7.5 cm, as well as quantitative and qualitative characteristics of deadwoods were recorded. Results showed that hornbeam and beech were the most frequent species in the sample plots with frequency of 52.8 and 37.7 percent, respectively. Mean volume of the stands was 629.2 m3 ha-1, whereas the mean volume of deadwoods was 13.4 m3 ha-1. Diameter distribution of live trees and deadwoods indicated the maximum presence of trees and deadwoods in the small timber size (< 35 cm diameter) class. Height distribution of hornbeam and beech trees indicated the maximum frequency in the height classes with less than 15 meter and 15 to 30 meter, respectively and beech was the dominant species in the upper layer. The results of this study which was conducted in the control compartment could be used as a basis in other forest stands for silvicultural, harvesting and rehabilitation operations

Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of deadwood in the different development stages in mixed oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) stands (Case study: Gorazbon district, Kheiroud forest of Nowshahr)

Deadwood is commonly known as an essential structural and functional element in forest communities. Thus it is important to understand its role and natural dynamics to improve the forest management strategies in both managed and unmanaged forests. This study analyzed both qualitative and quantitative characteristics of deadwoods asindicatorsof stand developmental stages in the unmanaged forests of Kheiroud in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. Three sample plots were established in the initial, optimal and decay stages, in which attributes such as diameter at breast height, height of all standing and dead trees as well as the decomposition stage of dead trees were recorded. Results showed differencesin the amount of deadwood per ha as well as in volume, type andsizeofthe coarse woody debris (CWD) in all the three stages. The frequency of snags was higher than logs in initial and decay stages, whereasthe proportion of logs was greater than snags in the optimal stage. Moreover, maximum and minimum volume ofthe CWD was observed in the initial and optimal stages. Amongst the species, beech returned the highest number and volume of deadwood in all three stages. In addition, the entire deadwood showed diamete

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

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