Effects of physiographical factors on biodiversity and tree biomass in Nowshahr forests

Document Type : Scientific article

Authors

1 PhD student. Department of Forestry, Chalus Branch, Islamic Azad University, Chalus, I. R. Iran‎

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Forest science and engineering, Chalus Branch, Islamic Azad ‎University, Chalus, I. R. Iran

Abstract

The effect of physiographic factors on biodiversity and trees biomass is done in series 4 of Golband (watershed No:45) in Nowshahr by sampling and application of six north-south sample lines (1000-1600 m) and conducting 48 square sample pieces of 4 r on sample lines with 200 m intervals. In each one of sample plots, number and percentage of tree and shrub cover, physiographic factors of slope (three class), direction (three class) and altitude (eight class) were collected. Grass cover was investigated using five 25-square-meter sample plots (four sub-plot plots in the corners and one in the center) inside each plot. Then Simpson diversity indices, Margalef richness and Sheldon uniformity were used to study diversity and biomass estimation is done using allometric equations. The results showed that the differences between all biodiversity indices and biomass were significant in different physiographic conditions. By increasing slope, the average of biodiversity indices increased. The highest value of Simpson diversity indices was observed in the north direction (0.78). By increasing altitude (200-1600 m), the average indicators decreased. Also, the highest amount of biomass was related to the slope class of 30-60%, east direction (220 tons per hectare) and altitude class 1400 meters (268 tons per hectare). Based on the general results of this study, due to the higher humidity, the north direction has the greatest effect on plant diversity and the highest surface vegetation can be seen in the altitude range of beech presence and in the middle slope.
Keywords: Elevation above sea level, Simpson, Margalef, Mazandaran, allometric equations.

Graphical Abstract

Effects of physiographical factors on biodiversity and tree biomass in Nowshahr forests

Keywords

References

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Forest Research and Development
Volume 8, Issue 3
December 2022
Pages 279-292

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