Quantification of spatial structure of juniper stands in Kandaragh region

Abstract

This research carried out to quantification of juniper stands structure in Kandragak region. For this purpose, three one-hectare study area were selected and the full calipering and the nearest neighbor’s methods were used to quantification of stand structure. Some indices including mingling index, distance to nearest neighbors, Clarke and Evans, and uniform angle and dimensional differences were employed to quantification of the stand structure. Results indicated the mean of DBH and crown coverage were 13.2 cm and 8.7 m2, respectively. Results showed mean value of Clarke and Evans and uniform angle indices was 1.05 and 0.45, respectively that revealed clumped or random distribution of juniper trees. The mean of mingling index calculated 0.14 among three study area showed low tendency of juniper to mix with other tree species. The mean value of distance to the neighbors was 3.70 meter and the height and diameter differentiation were 0.16 and 0.23, respectively. According to findings juniper in the natural habitats tends to be fairly pure in species composition and have slightly heterogeneous diameter distributions and uniform tree height. Accordingly, in the decision making and planning strategies, maintaining the natural structure and spatial pattern of trees have to be sufficiently considered.

Keywords

• juniperus exelsa
• spatial structure
• mingling
• neighboring
• pattern of tree distribution