Spatial distribution pattern of beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) coarse woody debris in managed and unmanaged stands of Caspian forests, Iran

Abstract

The ecological significance of deadwoods has led to an ever-increasing collection of related information to be taken into account in management plans. The Coarse woody debris (CWDs) is a significant component of forest ecosystems. Here, managed and one unmanaged forest stands were selected in Gorazbon district of Kheyrudkenar Experimental Forest, Noshahr, Mazandaran Province, Iran. Based on the full-calipering inventory method, CWD attributes were collected in both stands. The distribution pattern of CWD was evaluated using univariate O-ring statistics. Results showed that the highest and lowest decay classes in two forest stands were 3-6 and 1-2, respectively. Results from distribution pattern analysis showed a random distribution pattern of CWD in the managed forest stand. Overall, the unmanaged forest stand with 3-6 decay classes showed a random distribution pattern of CWD. Conclusively, disturbances in the managed and the unmanaged forest stands occur in small scales.

Keywords

• cwds
• decay classes
• distribution pattern
• o-rings statistic