Monitoring the three decades of stand structural dynamics and its effects on aboveground carbon stock across Tiromrood forests of Northeast Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, Guilan University, Sowmeh Sara, Iran.

10.22059/jfwp.2026.402368.1372

Abstract

On a global scale, monitoring changes in species diversity and structural components over time, as well as the consequences of management practices and their effects on aboveground carbon stock (AGCS), is essential to mitigate or even halt climate change and biodiversity loss. To achieve this aim, 31 plots of 1000 m² were established in managed (single-tree selective logging) and unmanaged (control) stands and were compared in terms of temporal trends in diversity indices (i.e., species richness (S), Shannon–Wiener diversity (Hs), and Simpson’s evenness (Se)) and structural components (i.e., stand density per hectare (SDha), coefficient of variation of diameter at breast height (CVD), height (CVH), and basal area (CVBA)) across three decades (2004, 2014, and 2024). Multiple linear regression models (MLRs) and structural equation models (SEMs) were developed to investigate the effects of changes in stand structural components and tree physiographical variables on AGCS in the Tyromroad forest of Mazandaran Province. The results showed that AGCS, O₂ production, and CO₂ absorption in unmanaged stands increased over the three decades (2004–2024) and were higher than those in managed stands. The S index in 2004, AGCS and the Se index in 2014 and 2024, as well as CVD and CVBA in 2024 and CVH in 2014, showed significant differences between managed and unmanaged stands. According to mixed ANOVA results, management strategy had a significant effect on AGCS, the S index, the Se index, CVD, and CVBA. The MLR and SEM results for both managed and unmanaged stands indicated a significant negative effect of the Se index and a significant positive effect of SDha on AGCS. Therefore, the technically appropriate implementation of the single-tree selective logging method, by simulating natural degradation processes at a small scale, appears to be a suitable approach for species diversity conservation and enrichment in the northern forests of Iran.

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References

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Forest and Wood Products
Volume 78, Issue 4
February 2026
Pages 347-365

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