Efficiency of nearest neighbor indices to assessment structure of Fageto-Carpinetum in Growth area hyrcanian (Case Study: Nave Asalem-Gilan forests -Iran)

Document Type : Complete scientific research article

Authors

Abstract

Background and objectives: Maintaining the structure and biodiversity of ecosystems is considered to be one of the most important goals of modern forestry. For this purpose, the tools are needed for forest management, to have the lowest cost and time to check the current status, as well as the changes caused by development of forest management activities. Indicators of nearest neighbor have advantages that their application gives priority to direct measurements of biological diversity. Because in addition to the study of species diversity, it investigates the locations of trees. Also nearest neighbor indices provide valuable information about ecological interactions of trees in forests. Therefore, this study was aimed to introduce and apply important indices based on nearest neighbor analysis to study ecological relationships of trees in beech-hornbeam stands in Nave Asalem- Gilan forests.
Materials and methods: In order to do this research, seven 1-ha plots with homogeneous environmental conditions were inventoried in a Fageto-Carpinetum association in Nave Asalem- Gilan. In each plot, distance and azimuth of all trees on the plot with more than 7.5 cm diameter at breast height from the center of sampling area and species, and diameter at breast height were recorded. The spatial pattern and species diversity were then investigated using the uniform angle, mean directional, species mingling and segregation indices. The amounts of each of the mentioned indices were calculated for each sample individually. The average of the values obtained for each sample were calculated for the Fageto-Carpinetum.
Results: The results showed in seven 1-ha plots of Fageto-Carpinetum, Fagus orientalis, Carpinus betulus, Acer cappadocicum, Acer velutinum and Alnus subcordata had the maximum density per hectare. The values of uniform angle and mean directional indices were 0.53 and 2.02, respectively, showing a spatial distribution between random and clustered. In terms of species diversity, the Fageto-Carpinetum association with an average of 0.47 and 0.25 for species mingling and segregation indices, respectively, presenting a medium level of species mixing. The amount of species mingling indices indicated low level of mixing of beech species and high level of mixing of other species. The segregation index showed a pair of trees or nearest neighbor reference trees belonged to different species.
Conclusion: In general, the results of this study indicated the efficiency of nearest neighbor indices to study the structure of Fageto-Carpinetum associations and the results can be used for planning to revitalize the structure and status of biodiversity in degraded Fageto-Carpinetum associations.

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References

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Journal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology
Volume 24, Issue 2
September 2017
Pages 17-32

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