Coarse and fine woody debris accumulation in mixed beech stands, Case study Gorazbon forests

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Technology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

2 Professor, Departments of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Departments of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

Abstract

As conservationists develop strategies for managing coarse woody debris in natural areas, information on the volume and distribution of deadwood in relatively undisturbed forests provides a valuable baseline for management goals. Hyrcanian mixed broad-leaved forests, within middle elevations of the Alborz Mountains bordering the Caspian Sea in northern Iran, experience few human disturbances and provide an ideal study site to examine woody debris in a mature forest. This study had three objectives: 1) measure volume of coarse and fine woody debris in Hyrcanian mixed hardwood forests; 2) compare density of forms of coarse woody debris (stumps, logs, and snags); and 3) correlate volume of living trees with volume of coarse woody debris. To sample the density and volume of dead wood, 15 plots of 1 ha (coarse woody debris) and 15 plots of 4 m2 (fine woody debris) were established. Coarse woody debris had an average volume of 15 m3 ha-1 and fine woody debris had an average of 10 m3 ha-1. The most common form of coarse woody debris was logs (67%) and the most frequent species was Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis) (55%). The volume of Oriental beechcoarse woody debris was not significantly correlated with the volume of living Oriental beech trees (P= 0.77); however, the volume of European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) coarse woody debris was significantly correlated to the volume of living European hornbeam (P= 0.01). According to the results and high proportion of fine woody debris in dead wood pool, we should more consider to this component of forest stands in management of natural stands. 

Keywords

Forest Sustainable Development
Volume 1, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
August 2014
Pages 137-149

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