Spatial patterns in untouched beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) stands over forest development stages in Kelardasht region of Iran

Abstract

Determination of trees spatial patterns in each development stage illustrates the dynamic of stands during the time and can provide valuable information on the underlying processes, particularly in case of uneven-aged forests. For this purpose, three one- hectare (100m×100m) plots were closely selected at three development stages of initial, optimal and decay in an untouched, unmanaged and uneven-aged beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) dominated forest in the Kelardasht region. Diameter of all trees with dbh greater than 7.5cm together with their coordinates, using azimuth-distance method, were recorded and fully mapped. Spatial point pattern analyses by Ripley's K- function showed that, while the number of stems decreases from initial stage toward decay stage, the spatial pattern of trees in initial, optimal and decay stages are highly aggregated, random and slightly aggregated, respectively. This research emphasizes the application of spatial statistics for investigating tree spatial patterns. It's believed that forest managers for any insight of natural processes, need to such information from untouched stands as a key reference for any close to nature intervention in under managing forests and for sustainable management of forest ecosystems, as well.

Keywords

• development stages
• Ripley's K- function
• Spatial pattern
• untouched stand
• beech