Tree and regeneration conditions within development stages in Kelardasht beech forest (Case study: reserve area-Langa)

Abstract

This study was carried out in the reserve area of district one of Langa region in Kelardasht. Development stages including initial, optimal and decay were identified and one sample plot with one hectare area (100 m×100 m) was selected in each development stage. Quantitative characteristics of saplings with diameter at breast height less than 7.5cm were determined in the micro plots. One hemispherical photograph was taken by Fish-eye camera lens in order to study the status of light in development stages as well as the relationship between quantitative and qualitative characteristics of saplings and relative light intensity. Light intensity parameters were processed by Gap Light Analyzer (GLA) V.2 software. Results showed that mean frequency of seedlings and saplings and mean annual height growth increased by increasing of relative light intensity in the decay stage. Frequency of trees decreased from initial to optimal stage and then towards decay stages. Maximum and minimum of stocked volume was measured at initial and decay stages, respectively. Stocked volume of larger timber classes in development stages was higher than small timber classes. Considering the obtained results, we can recommend to establish the regeneration in the optimal stage by creating gap and can improve the quality of the regeneration in the initial and decay stages by silvicultural interventions.

Keywords

• beech
• development stages
• GLA
• relative light intensity
• reserve area