Comparison of fruit species frequency and spatial patterns in managed and unmanaged forests (Case study: Noshahr forests, Neyrang)

Document Type : Complete scientific research article

Authors

Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands

Abstract

Fruit trees are one of the important components of forest ecosystems. These trees have important ecosystem roles schematization and management. Fruit trees protection is one of the important aims in global protection structures. Regarding to fruit trees importance from ecological and economical point of view, the aim of this study is comparison of fruit species frequency and spatial patterns in managed and unmanaged forests. The study site is located in Neyrang- Noshahr forests of Iran. Two managed and unmanaged compartments with area of 51 ha and 40 ha respectively, with similar physiographical conditions were selected. Full inventory of fruit trees along with determination of spatial position were done. In addition, some quantitative parameters e.g. species and abundance were recorded. Ripley’s K- function was used to analyze the spatial pattern of fruit trees. The null hypothesis was a random distribution of fruit trees, which was tested by Monte Carlo simulation. Result showed that species of Cratagusaronia, Diospyrus lotus, Mespilus germanica, Prunus divaricata and Ficus carica exist in the both managed and unmanaged forests. However the frequency of Cratagus aronia and Diospyrus lotus species were more than other species in two compartments, while the frequency of Diospyrus lotus in unmanaged forest was more than managed one. Spatial patterns of fruit trees in two compartments was cluster; however, cluster structure in two forests was converse. It means that less frequency of Diospyrus lotus in managed forest in comparison to unmanaged forest is due to cutting this species by villagers in managed area which caused first clustered pattern in near distances (8 m to 15 m) and second clustered pattern in far distance (30 m to 50 m) with less intensity. It seems that first clustered pattern exists around regeneration gaps.

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