Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of deadwoods in mixed beech-hornbeam stands in the optimal stage (Case study: Kheyrood forest, Nowshahr)

Abstract

Study of natural stands structure as well as knowledge of developmental stages and dynamic process in the natural forest stands for applying close to nature silviculture methods, ensures multiple functions of forests such as ecological balance and socio-economic needs assessment. The aim of this study was to quantification of the structural characteristics of natural mixed oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) stands in the optimal stage. For this purpose three sample plots, each one ha (100 × 100m), were selected in the compartment 326 of Gorazbon district in the research and educational Kheyrood forest, and height and diameter at breast height (dbh) of all trees with dbh larger than 7.5 cm, as well as quantitative and qualitative characteristics of deadwoods were recorded. Results showed that hornbeam and beech were the most frequent species in the sample plots with frequency of 52.8 and 37.7 percent, respectively. Mean volume of the stands was 629.2 m3 ha-1, whereas the mean volume of deadwoods was 13.4 m3 ha-1. Diameter distribution of live trees and deadwoods indicated the maximum presence of trees and deadwoods in the small timber size (< 35 cm diameter) class. Height distribution of hornbeam and beech trees indicated the maximum frequency in the height classes with less than 15 meter and 15 to 30 meter, respectively and beech was the dominant species in the upper layer. The results of this study which was conducted in the control compartment could be used as a basis in other forest stands for silvicultural, harvesting and rehabilitation operations.