Effect of canopy gap size and ecological factors on species diversity and beech seedlings in managed beech stands in Hyrcanian forests

We studied the species diversity of the herb layer and ecological factors in harvest-created gaps in beech stands under a single-tree selection system in Northern Iran. To determine diversity, the number of beech seedlings, and other ecological factors, 16 gaps were selected and subplots of 5 m2 were positioned at the centre and at the cardinal points of each gap. Species richness and Simpson diversity index increased with increasing gap area as did numbers of seedlings. With increasing humus layer thickness, species richness declined but the Hill evenness index increased. Species richness increased with increasing light availability. There was no relationship between crown radii of beech trees and diversity indices. Correlations between environmental factors and numbers of individuals of some species in the herb layer were not significant except in a few cases. The results help explain the effects of man-made gaps on the dynamics of managed beech stands and this benefits evaluation of silvicultural operating plans.

Diversity and biomass of different functional groups of herbaceous species along an altitudinal gradient in the semi-arid Zagros mountain forests of Iran

The response of diversity and biomass of herbaceous functional groups along an altitudinal gradient in mountainous forests of southern Zagros,Khuzestan Province,Iran was studied by sampling vegetation in 30 circular 1000-m^2 plots in herb layer of the forest floor within 646–2447 m asl(lowland:<1000 m asl,midland:1000–2000 m asl,highland:>2000 m asl).The most important herbaceous functional groups were classified based on two aspects of growth form:annuals–perennials,grasses–forbs.Then the relationship between the diversity,richness,evenness,biomass and elevation was analyzed.The results showed that the annual functional group in the low-and midland classes,and perennial functional group in the lowland class had the highest species diversity and evenness in annual and perennial functional groups,respectively(p<0.01).The perennials in the highland class had the maximum total,above-and belowground dry biomass(p<0.01).On the other hand,the forb functional group in the lowland class had the greatest species diversity,richness,and evenness(p<0.01)and in the highland class had the maximum total dry,above-and belowground dry biomass in the grass and forb functional groups(p<0.01).Increasing the diversity,richness,and species evenness resulted in a decrease in the plant dry biomass.

The effect of single-tree selction system on soil properties in an oriental beech stand of Hyrcanian forest, north of Iran

A case study was conducted in beech forests of northern Iran to determine the effect of the created gaps on some soil properties in beech stand. Changes of soil properties in small （60-150 mE）, medium （151-241 mE）, large （242-332 m^2） and very large （333-550 m^2） gaps, as well as under closed stands were studied eight years after-the gap creation. Soil samples were taken from three depths, 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm. The gaps were different from their around undisturbed stands in terms of the following soil parameters： Mg^＋2 concentration of 0-10 cm at medium gap size, bulk density of 10-20 cm at very large gap size as well as K^＋ and Ca^＋2 concentrations at 20-30 cm at small and large gap sizes, respectively. Furthermore, the size of the gaps had no effect on soil characteristics through the whole profile. Water saturation percent （Sp %） at 0-10cm as well as P and Mg^＋2 at 20--30 cm was different amongst undisturbed stands around different gap sizes. The center and the edges of the gap were different only in terms of organic carbon at the depth of 10-20 cm. Significant differences were observed between gaps and closed canopy regarding P and Ca^＋2 at depth 0--10 cm and 10-20 cm, respectively. It can be concluded that applied silvicultural system for harvesting trees which created these gaps might be suitable for conservation and forest management in the region.