Plant species recovery and natural tree regeneration on skid trails in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran
Paper Details
Plant species recovery and natural tree regeneration on skid trails in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran
Abstract
In the ground based logging operation construction of skid trails are need to transport logs from felling areas to road side landings. In this research plant species recovery rate and natural tree regeneration on the skid trails with different time of construction (1980, 1990, 2000 and 2010) were investigated in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran. Plant recovery rate including coverage, height, diversity and species importance value were measured and noted on each skid trail by systematic sample plots and were analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan test. Results showed plant coverage, number of species and plant height on the skid trails were increased by increasing of skid trails construction ages. After 10 years from logging operation only 2 species of tree regeneration (Alnus subcordata and Acer velutinum) were established on the skid trails. Also, after 30 years from skid trailconstruction and logging operation only 7 species of tree regeneration were established on the skid trails that were seedling and small sapling stages. Sambacus ebulus had the most species importance value on the skid trails with 1 and 10 years old, whereas, on the skid trails with 20 and 30 years old Rubus caesus had the most species importance value. Post harvest operations are necessary to limit soil erosion and conservation plant species diversity in these forests.
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