Effects of Reforestation by Exotic Fast Growing Species on Understory Plants Diversity; Case Study: Gahar Forest Park, Doroud, Lorestan Province

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Forestry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khoramabad, I.R. Iran

2 M.Sc. Graduate, Forestry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khoramabad, I.R. Iran

3 Ph.D. Student of Plant biosystematic, Faculty of Biology, Tehran University, Tehran, I.R. Iran

4 Assistant Professor, Soil Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khoramabad, I.R. Iran

Abstract

Plantations can effect on understory plants by changing in soil components or by shade effects of
canopy cover positively or negatively. This study aimed to investigate effects of reforestation by
exotic fast growing trees on understory plants diversity. Three plantation stands, Turkish red pine
stand, black locust stand, and mixed stand of Turkish red pine and black locust, and a natural Iranian
Oak stand were sampled. In order to measure plants diversity, sampling was performed in the same
physiographic landform, using 400 m2 main plots composed of 5, 4 m2 subplots in center and corners
of main plot. Soils were sampled in three 0-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm horizons. Results showed that
species richness in Turkish red pine, black locust stand, and mixed stand of Turkish red pine and black
locust, and Iranian Oak stand were 16 – 30 – 31- and 34 respectively. Sorenson and Jaccard similarity
indices showed the most similarity between black locust stand, and mixed stand of Turkish red pine
and black locust, and least similarity between Iranian Oak stand and Turkish red pine stand. Maximum
and minimum value of Simpson dominance index was seen in Turkish red pine stand and Iranian Oak
stand respectively. Iranian Oak stand with six species had the most endemic ground flora species and
Turkish red pine with one species had the least. Respect to trivial changes in soil properties, in
addition to soil changes effects, changes in species diversity may relate to heavy canopy cover and
shade effects of it.

Keywords

References

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