Examination of Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Cupressus Sempervirens Var. Horizontalis and Pinus Brutia in Plantation Forests in the Ramian, Golestan Province

Examination of Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Cupressus Sempervirens Var. Horizontalis and Pinus Brutia in Plantation Forests in the Ramian, Golestan Province


Abstract:

Background and objectives: Currently plantation forests consist around 7% of the world's forests' area and a significant share of timber production. Therefore, evaluating carried plantations could be a basis for managers to improve the quantity and quality and increase the success rate in the next years.
Materials and methods: The purpose of this study is to examine quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Cupressus sempervirens var. Horizontalis and Pinus brutia in plantation forests in Ramian. For this purpose, by visiting forest management plan of Ramian Naeemabad two plantation forests' species of Cupressus sempervirens var. Horizontalis and Pinus brutia were selected. Then, within each stand 4 plots one hectare (100×100m) were determined. Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of trees including species, DBH, trunk height, crown diameter, crown freshness, crown symmetry, trunk state and form were measured and recorded. Independent t-test was used to compare quantitative characteristics of trees of two stands and to compare qualitative characteristics non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was used.
Results: The study results showed that DBH, total height, trunk height and crown area, pinus brutia were 25.50cm, 12.50m, 4.48m, 16.30m², respectively, more than Cupressus sempervirens var. Horizontalis values. In terms of n.ha, basal area, volume and slenderness of coefficient, Cupressus sempervirens var. Horizontalis has the highest values. Also the results showed that after 27 years of planting survival rate of Cupressus sempervirens var. Horizontalis is 74.5 percent, more than Pinus brutia, 59.5%. Examining qualitative characteristics including freshness, symmetry, and crown state showed a significant difference between the two species.
Conclusion: In general, we can say that Pinus brutia due to higher values of examined characteristics has been more successful than endemic species of Cupressus sempervirens var. Horizontalis. Although the survival and per ha density of Cupressus sempervirens var. Horizontalis is more than Pinus brutia. So it can be said that the choice of species is very important when afforestation according to growing conditions and the area site.

Conclusion: In general, we can say that Pinus brutia due to higher values of examined characteristics has been more successful than endemic species of Cupressus sempervirens var. Horizontalis. Although the survival and per ha density of Cupressus sempervirens var. Horizontalis is more than Pinus brutia. So it can be said that the choice of species is very important when afforestation according to growing conditions and the area site