Effect of forest fire on diameter growth of beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.): a case study in Kheyroud forest

Abstract

The study area is located in Kheyroud forest which was burned in 1998. This study was carried out to evaluate forest fire effect on diameter growth of beech (Fagus orientalis L.) and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) after 7 years. After surveying whole burned and control area, 60 cores using increment borer were provided from both beech and hornbeam (15 cores were provided for each species in each area). Then sample’s ring growth width was measured. Statistical analysis was conducted on data which classified in years before and after fire. Furthermore, correlation between ring growth width and climatic data was tested. Results showed that the surface fire didn’t affect on beech but hornbeam ring growth was increased significantly. The correlation within ring growth width and climatic data had been recognized before fire but there was no correlation with years after that. Thus, other factors excluding climate such as fire could be considered as the change reasons.

Keywords

• ring growth width
• Diameter growth
• beech
• hornbeam
• forest fire
• Kheyroud forest