Spatial distribution pattern of beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) coarse woody debris in managed and unmanaged stands of Caspian forests, Iran

The ecological significance of deadwoods has led to an ever-increasing collection of related information to be taken into account in management plans. The Coarse woody debris (CWDs) is a significant component of forest ecosystems. Here, managed and one unmanaged forest stands were selected in Gorazbon district of Kheyrudkenar Experimental Forest, Noshahr, Mazandaran Province, Iran. Based on the full-calipering inventory method, CWD attributes were collected in both stands. The distribution pattern of CWD was evaluated using univariate O-ring statistics. Results showed that the highest and lowest decay classes in two forest stands were ۳-۶ and ۱-۲, respectively. Results from distribution pattern analysis showed a random distribution pattern of CWD in the managed forest stand. Overall, the unmanaged forest stand with ۳-۶ decay classes showed a random distribution pattern of CWD. Conclusively, disturbances in the managed and the unmanaged forest stands occur in small scales.

کلیدواژه ها:

CWDs ، Decay classes ، Distribution pattern ، O-rings statistic