Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Ardabil Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ardabil, Iran
2
Prof., Forest Research Department, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran.
3
M.Sc. of Forest science and engineering, Dept. of Forest science and engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, I. R. Iran.
10.22059/jfwp.2025.390576.1337
Abstract
Evaluating the structural characteristics of forest stands is essential to determine the trends in stand changes and sustainable management of forest ecosystems. This study aimed to determine the structural indices of Juniperus excelsa and Pistacia atlantica stands. For this purpose, two stands were considered in the Dostloo protected area of Khalkhal, Ardabil province and in each, a one-hectare permanent square sample plot was randomly selected. Quantitative variables were measured and recorded using the full calipering inventory method. The spatial pattern of the two stands was analyzed using the distance-azimuth method, and structural diversity was assessed in terms of species mingling, tree dimensions, and spatial position based on the four nearest neighbor’s method. The results showed that in the juniper and wild pistachio sample plot, there were 235 and 144 trees per hectare, respectively. The average diameter and basal area at a height of half a meter, average total height, average crown area and canopy density in the juniper sample plot were 12.10 cm, 129.07 cm2, 3.65 m2, 8.87 m2 and 20.93%, respectively, whereas for the wild pistachio sample plot, they were 88.9 cm2, 91.56 cm2, 5.24 m2 and 55.7%, respectively. The average values of uniform angle index and Clark-Evans indices in the juniper sample plot were 0.57 and 0.72, respectively, and for pistachio plot were 0.57 and o.58, respectively. The mean values of the Mingling index for the juniper and pistachio sample plots were 0.19 and 0.54, respectively.
Keywords
)