Ecology of Iranian Forest

Mendeley  

Zotero  

Amolikondori A, Abrari Vajari K, Feizian M, Diiorio A. (2021). Interactions between structural properties beech tree and soil biology with competition index in canopy gaps in Beech stand. ifej. 9(18), 74-80. doi:10.52547/ifej.9.18.74
URL: http://ifej.sanru.ac.ir/article-1-415-en.html

Introduction and objective: Canopy gaps in different sizes have been created by the implementation of different silvicultural practices such as single-tree selection in beech forest stands in Hyrcanian forests. Investigating the effects of forest gaps on the characteristics of trees and soil in the forest ecosystem can be very helpful in planning silvicultural operations. Shade-tolerant beech trees in this ecosystem are of ecological and economic importance and knowing the reaction of such a valuable tree can be effective for forest management and selection of forestry methods.Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine the correlation between structure, fine roots properties of beech trees and soil biology(MBC,MBN and MBP) in different gaps (n = 15) created by single-tree selection system with competition index in beech forest stands in Mazandaran-Sari province.
Material and methods: In the beech forest stand, 15 forest gaps were identified including three classes of small (80-130), medium (175-131) and large (176-300m²) size and five replicates were selected for each level. In four cardinal positions of each gap, beech trees were selected and their height, diameter at breast height, crown diameter, area, volume and fine roots as well as competition index were measured.
Results: Pearson correlation coefficients showed a significant positive correlation between competition index with height, DBH, crown diameter, crown area and length of Bole and also negative correlation with height to diameter ratio (H/D) of beech trees. There was a significant negative correlation between competition index and microbial biomass nitrogen and a significant positive correlation with microbial biomass carbon to microbial biomass nitrogen ratio (MBC/MBN). With increasing density, specific root length and specific area of fine roots, the values of competition index increased. There was a significant correlation between some structural characteristics of beech trees with fine root characteristics at the edge of gaps. Correlation coefficients between fine root characteristics of beech trees show significant correlation between some variables.
Conclusion: In general, the results of the study showed that forest management through the application of single-tree selection system and the formation of canopy gaps in beech stand has influenced the structural characteristics and fine roots of beech trees six years after the creation of gaps.