Natural regeneration of oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) within canopy gaps and under canopy cover, (Case study: Gorazbon, Kheyroud Forest, Nowshahr)

Abstract

Establishment of natural regeneration is a crucial process which plays a key role in maintaining the sustainability within the forest stands. This study aimed to investigate the quantitative characteristics of oriental beech regeneration within canopy gaps and under the canopy in Kheyroud forests of Nowshahr in the north of Iran. Two compartments were initially selected, within which a sampling grid featuring 50×50 m distance between plots was established. Regeneration frequency, species and height of seedlings and saplings were measured both within the gaps and under the canopy. Results showed the frequency and mean height of beech regeneration to be higher under canopy layer. Those parameters also significantly differed from those within the gaps. Our findings also show that the reduced light under the canopy is by no means an obstacle to increase the beech regeneration, but it rather contributes to improve the establishment of natural regeneration of beech. This research confirms the previous findings on the shade tolerance of beech and suggests creating canopy gaps in those stands in which beech seedlings are previously stabilized as a mean to support the natural regeneration.

Keywords

• Canopy Cover
• oriental beech
• canopy gaps
• natural regeneration