Quantitative Comparison of Biodiversity Indicators and Environmental Variables Affecting it in Beech and Hornbeam Forests (Case Study: Gorazbon Section of Kheyroud Forest)

Document Type : Complete scientific research article

Authors

1 Assistant Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran.

2 Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Research Center of Kerman, Agricultural Research, Education and Promotion Organization, Iran.

Abstract

Background and objectives: There are important species of beech and hornbeam In the Hyrcanian forests. Due to the economic and ecological importance of beech as well as the frequency of mixed beech-sufficient information about the structure and the level of beech and hornbeam and their associated species which will be used by Forest managers. Also in this study, for the first time in the study area, correlation analysis and regression analysis between biodiversity indices and independent environmental variables were performed which are essential steps in forest planning and management.
Materials and methods: For this purpose, the indices of biodiversity (Shannon Weiner and Simpson Index) were measured individually in each habitat and then they were compared with each other. In addition, the correlation and regression of these indices with 16 eco-physiographic factors Including seasonal light, average air temperature, high altitude from the nearest drained point, topographic shafts, relative humidity, wind speed, reflection and radiation levels representing the environmental conditions of the region was obtained. Among them, only four factors had a significant correlation with biodiversity index. These factors are air temperature near the surface of the Earth, topographic wetness index, wind speed, and total solar radiation energy in each habitat. Also, t-test was performed to investigate the significant differences between biodiversity indices between the two habitats.
Results: The results showed that both Biodiversity indices were higher in Hornbeam habitat than Rash habitat. The correlation coefficient of the environmental variables mentioned in the Shannon diversity index in each habitat indicated that the correlation coefficients of the variables with the variability index in the hornbeam habitat were higher than the rash except for the correlation coefficient related to the total solar energy variation in the Beech habitat which was higher than beech, with a negative slope indicating the nature of the friendliest shade of beech species compared to hornbeam.
Conclusion: the higher Shannon species diversity and Simpson uniformity index in beech habitat, confirms the tendency for this species to be mixed with its non-homogeneous trees and high competition at this stage of the sequence in beech habitat. In fact, the mass distribution of beech is a factor in the high competition and, consequently, a low index of uniformity. The results of this study showed that biodiversity indices were higher in hornbeam than in beech, which could be due to various reasons. In fact, determining biodiversity indices in forest communities firstly and then, examining and determining environmental factors affecting the biodiversity of tree species, as well as comparing important forest habitats and communities from the perspective of these factors for management purposes. Forests are important and essential.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology
Volume 26, Issue 4
March 2020
Pages 47-64

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