AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGY JOURNAL OF NORTH AMERICA
ISSN Print: 2151-7517, ISSN Online: 2151-7525
© 2010, ScienceHuβ, http://www.scihub.org/ABJNA
Forty four-year response of regeneration and stock growth to single tree
selection cutting in a Hyrcanian forest
M. Shokrı Saravı1, M.R. Pourmajıdıan1, A. Fallah1, H. Jalılvand1, S.M. Waez mousavı2, A.
Parsakhoo1
1
Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran
2
Gorgan Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Gorgan, Iran
Corresponding author: MOHAMMAD REZA POURMAJIDIAN, Sari Agricultural Sciences and
Natural Resources University, Faculty of Natural Resources, Department of Forestry, P.O.
Box 737, Mazandaran Province, Sari, Iran, tel.: + 98 152 422 2984-5, fax: + 98 152 422 2982,
e-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
In this study, the forty four-year response of natural regeneration and forest stock growth to single
tree selection cutting system in Khalil Mahaleh and Abbas Abad forest of Hyrcanian zone was
investigated. Diameter at breast height (DBH), height, density (number of tree per hectare) and
stock growth (tree volume per hectare) of each species were collected and analyzed for forest
structure in 1963 and 2007. Results indicated that across all plots surveyed in 2007 the density of
trees in diameter classes of 15-30, 35-50 and 55-80 cm was more than those of in 1963. Before
selection cutting, the mean stock growth of forest was 367 m3 ha-1. After four decades of single
tree selection cutting with yearly intensity of 2.5 m3 ha-1, it decreased to 353 m3 ha-1. Single tree
selection cutting increased the density of Fagus orientalis Lipsky, Carpinus betulus L., Acer
velutinum Boiss and Alnus Subcordata C.A.M. after 44 years whereas other species density
showed a decrease of 33%. The density of all species regeneration in 1963 was more than 2007.
Keywords: Selection cutting; natural regeneration; stock growth; Fagus orientalis; Hyrcanian
forest
with favorable bole shape and form (BUFFUM et al.
INTRODUCTION
2008).
The main goal of selection cutting is provide the
mixed and uneven aged stand. The diagram of trees
Selection cutting in low and medium intensities
reduction based on diameter in a selection forest is a
caused little variation in the evergreen broad-leaved
secondary mid-hyperbolic diagram which its formula
forest structure in northern Fujian Province of China.
After cutting, the dominant species retained their
is Logy = log k − ax log e . Where, y is the trees
leading status in the community. However, the
number, a and K are the fixed values (a is the
community structure changed significantly following
reduction coefficient of tree number per diameter
selection cutting of high and extra-high intensities;
class and K is the relative coefficient of stand
the status of the dominant species of the community
density), e is the base of natural logarithm (2.71828)
declined dramatically (REN-HUI et al. 2006). The
and x is the tree diameter (MARVIE-MOHADJER
regeneration
of shade-tolerant species such as
2005; POURMAJIDIAN, RAHMANI 2009). A
American
beech
and sugar maple are more
significant increases in stream flow occurred in the
successful
in
smaller
canopy gap created by singlelong term period (1986-1996) after 11% removal of
tree selection cutting. Faster warming up of soil
the standing volume by regular selective cutting in
surface in larger gaps (created by group selection
old-growth oak-beech forest ecosystems (ÖZYUVACI
cutting) during the spring may have been unfavorable
et al. 2004). In the blocks of the forest community
to sugar maple since the seeds germinate under low
dominated by Quercus and Castanopsis in Bhutan, it
temperatures (RAYMOND et al. 2003).
had been detected that higher intensities of selection
cutting did not have a negative impact on natural
regeneration of seedlings and saplings of preferred
timber species; the diameter distribution of all species
and use categories except for Quercus; the diversity
of tree genera and the percentage of remaining trees
Studies in eastern hardwood stands of America have
shown that single-tree selection is feasible where
desirable shade-tolerant species can be regenerated;
it is rarely applied because marking stands for
Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2010, 1(4): 721-725
The forest site has four kinds of soil including non
development randzin, washed brown with calsic
horizon, forest brown with alkaline soil pH and
washed brown with Argilic horizon. The bedrock of
study area is limestone. Forest stands are dominated
by Fagetum and Fageto Carpinetum society.
harvest can be difficult and time consuming. Instead,
diameter-limit cutting is the most common partial
regeneration practice used in eastern hardwoods,
primarily because it is much easier to apply.
Unfortunately, strict diameter-limit cuts do not provide
for control of residual stocking or improve the quality
of residual trees. However, based on 20-yr results,
most objectives of single-tree selection can be
attained with flexible diameter-limit harvest guidelines
based on potential value increase of individual trees
combined with an improvement cut in small
sawtimber trees at each periodic cut (MILLER,
SMITH 1993).
The tree species of study area are Acer capadocicum
Gled., Acer velutinum Boiss., Alnus Subcordata
C.A.M., Carpinus betulus L., Diospyros lotus L.,
Fraxinus excelsior L., Fagus orientalis Lipsky.,
Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Lam.) Spach., Tilia begonifolia
Stew., Ulmus glabra Huds., Crataegus microphylla L.,
Ilex spinigera L., Mespilus germanica L. and Prunus
caspica L. Moreover, Asperula odorata L., Carex SP.,
Euphorbia amygdaloides L., Germinea SP.,
Hypericum androsaemum L., Phyllitis scolopendrium
L., Polygonatum officinale Mig., Pteridium aquilinum
L., Viola sylvestris Lam., Cyclamen caropaeum L.,
Danea racemosa Skill Level., Hedera pasluchowii L.,
Mercurialis prennis, Oplimensus undulatifolaus
(Ard.)Roem., Primula SP., Rubus SP L., Ruscus
hyrcanus L. And Sambucus ebulus L. were observed
as herbacouse species.
In silver fir–European beech single stem selection
forest, social status; crown size, crown coverage and
crown shading had a significant impact on the annual
height increment of saplings, explaining 70% of total
variability. Significant differences were observed
between the annual basal area increment and height
increment models for the main tree species
(European beech and silver fir), indicating their
different growth characteristics. The applied method
could be used as a supplement to the more widely
used approaches for studying basal area and height
growth of individual trees in selection forest stands
(KLOPCIC et al. 2009). Single-tree selection cutting
reduced cavity abundances in mixed deciduous
forests of in Thailand (PATTANAVIBOOL, EDGE
1996).
Uneven-aged silviculture traditionally has received
less attention than even-aged silviculture; there has
been a growing interest in this type of management
with shifts to a more ecosystem-based approach to
practicing forestry (BOHN, NYLAND 2007). The main
objective of this study was to evaluate the forty fouryear response of natural regeneration and forest
stock growth to single tree selection cutting system in
Khalil Mahaleh and Abbas Abad forest of Hyrcanian
zone.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fig 1. Location of the study area
Site description: This study was conducted in the
compartments of 101 and 102 with total area of 89
hectare, located in Khalil Mahaleh and Abbas Abad
forest, Behshahr City, Hyrcanian zone, Iran (From
36° 30´ to 36° 45´ N and from 53° 30´ to 53° 45´ E).
Deciduous broad-leaved forests are naturally
distributed in this area. The elevation of the site
ranges from 550 to 1250 m and slopes are in the
range of 0-60%. This area has a moist climate. The
minimum and maximum annual temperature is 12°C
and 21.8°C. Annual precipitation is 584 mm (Fig. 1).
Data collection: The main purposes of uneven aged
forest management with single tree selection cutting
are to preserve uneven aged structure of forest and
consistent regeneration and stock growth in all of the
forest area after 4 decades from cutting time. In
1963, strip sampling with inventory intensity of 5%
was conducted on slope direction perpendicular to
contour lines. The strips width and distances among
them were 10 meter and 200 meter, respectively.
Diameter at breast height (DBH), height, density
(number of tree per hectare) and stock growth (tree
722
Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2010, 1(4): 721-725
volume per hectare) of each species were collected
for trees with more than 15 centimeters in diameter.
Regeneration density was measured on each strip.
1963
2007
120
-1
T ree d en sity (tree h a )
140
In 2007, a topographical map with scale of 1:25000
and an inventory network with dimensions of 100 × 75
meter was prepared. Sampling was conducted based
on systematic randomized approach with a
randomized start point on network (inventory intensity
was 13.3%). Circular sample plots with a size of 1000
m2 were considered for trees with more than 12.5
centimeters in diameter. In each plot, a 100 m2
circular micro plot was established for measuring
regeneration density (regeneration with less than
12.5 centimeters in diameter). DBH and height of all
trees were measured by Caliper and Suunto,
respectively. SPSS software was used for statistical
analyses.
100
80
60
40
20
0
15-30
35-50
55-80
> 80
Diameter classes (cm)
Fig 2. The density of tree per hectare in various
diameter classes for 1963 and 2007 years
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
1963
2007
200
3
-1
T re e v o lu m e (m h a )
Nowadays, in Hyrcanian hardwood forestry the
dominant harvesting method is single-tree selection
cutting. Foresters choose individual trees for harvest
based on a complex array of considerations. For
decades, this harvesting method mirrors the natural
process of single trees or small groups of trees dying
and falling, or being blown down by localized winds.
Across all plots surveyed in 2007 the density of trees
in diameter classes of 15-30, 35-50 and 55-80 cm
was more than those of in 1963, whereas this was
inversed for diameter class of > 80 cm. Number of
tree per hectare in diameter classes of 15-30 and 3550 has increased to 235% and 188%, respectively
(Fig. 2). Fifteen years after selection cutting in
Shiretoko national forest of Japan, the Abies
sachalinensis
and
Quercus
mangolica
var.
grosseserrata densities decreased from 1992 stems
ha-1 to 1288 stems ha-1. The growing stocks and the
total basal areas increased from 319 m3 ha-1 to 477
m3 ha-1 and from 54.25 m2 ha-1 to 74.17 m2 ha-1,
respectively (MARINA et al. 2003).
150
100
50
0
15-30
1
35-50
2
55-80
3
> 480
Diameter classes (cm)
Fig 3. The volume of tree per hectare in various
diameter classes for 1963 and 2007 years
Cutting cycles in selection system occur at regular
intervals, generally between 10 and 25 years, in
order to sustain consistent structural conditions and
improve tree growth and stand quality. At each
cutting cycle, removal of large trees creates space for
regeneration, and tending within the younger age
classes equalizes competition. The residual stand is
structured so that each age class occupies an equal
area of growing space and trees of all ages are
uniformly interspersed throughout the stand (BOHN,
NYLAND 2007).
Tree volume per hectare in diameter classes of 15-30
and 35-50 cm increased after 44 years selection
cutting. This was inversed for diameter class of > 80
cm. Before selection cutting, the mean stock growth
of forest was 367 m3 ha-1. After four decades of
single tree selection cutting with intensity of 2.5 m3
ha-1 in a year, it decreased to 353 m3 ha-1 (Fig. 3).
723
Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2010, 1(4): 721-725
1963
2007
*
-1
T ree d e n sity (tree h a )
100
1963 was significantly more than that of in 2007 (Fig.
5). The density of all species regeneration in 1963
was more than 2007 (Fig. 6). NAKAGAWA et al.
(2001) demonstrated that selection cutting in the subboreal forest of the Hokkaido Tokyo University Forest
results in reduction of P. jezoensis seedling density
because of reduction in coarse woody debris, the
crucial regeneration substrate for P. jezoensis, and
enhancement of A. sachalinensis regeneration on cut
stumps and soil.
80
*
60
*
40
ns
20
ns
2
3
4
12000
1963
2007
-1
1
Regeneration density (No ha )
0
5
Species
Fig 4. The density of tree per hectare by species for 1963
and 2007 years. * Indicates significant differences (P < 0.05)
between 1963 and 2007 for tree density per hectare within a
species class. Code 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are Fagus orientalis
Lipsky, Carpinus betulus L., Acer velutinum Boiss, Alnus
Subcordata C.A.M. and other species, respectively.
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
3
-1
Tree volume (m ha )
1
180
160
140
ns
120
100
80
60
3
4
5
Species
1963
2007
ns
2
Fig 6. The density of tree seedlings per ha for various
species in 1963 and 2007 years. Code 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
are Fagus orientalis Lipsky, Carpinus betulus L., Acer
velutinum Boiss, Alnus Subcordata C.A.M. and other
species, respectively.
ns
ns
**
40
20
0
1
2
3
4
The basal area increment of tree species in diameter
classes of < 85 cm increased after 44 years selection
cutting in study area. This result was inversed for
diameter class of > 80 cm (Table 1). In single-tree
selection cutting in a Hyrcanian Forest of Iran, it was
proved that the trees density and basal area per
hectare in 2006 (After cutting) were more than 1994
(before cutting). During 12 years, the Ulmus glabra
huds regeneration was decreased and Acer
velutinum Bioss and Alnus subcordata C.A.M.
regeneration was increased (POURMAJIDIAN,
RAHMANI 2009).
Uneven-aged management by single tree selection
cutting is applied for stands that include trees of
various sizes and ages. They become established
and will mature at different times. Treatments create
and maintain conditions in which trees of various
ages occupy about the same amount of space in the
stand. This study proved that the singe tree selection
cutting was a good choice for regenerating beech,
which could survive in a heavily shaded understory.
This also was a good system to maintain a canopy of
larger trees at all times.
5
Species
Fig 5. The volume of tree per hectare by species for
1963 and 2007 years. ** Indicates significant
differences (P < 0.05) between 1963 and 2007 for tree
volume per hectare within a species class. Code 1, 2, 3,
4 and 5 are Fagus orientalis Lipsky, Carpinus betulus
L., Acer velutinum Boiss, Alnus Subcordata C.A.M. and
other species, respectively.
Single tree selection cutting increased the density of
Fagus orientalis Lipsky (Beech), Carpinus betulus L.
(Hornbeam), Acer velutinum Boiss (Maple), Alnus
Subcordata C.A.M. (Alder) by respectively 126%,
199%, 110% and 58% compared to 1963. Other
species (Basswood, ash, Scotchelm …) showed a
decrease of 33% after four decade (Fig. 4). There
wasn’t significant difference between 1963 and 2007
for Beech, Hornbeam, Maple and Alder stock growth
(P> 0.05). The other species volume per hectare in
724
Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2010, 1(4): 721-725
single-tree selection often is suggested as the only
advisable, long-term partial regeneration harvest
method. Single-tree selection is preferred because it
provides a means for improving quality and
controlling stocking of the residual stand necessary
for sustained yield of desired products. However
more research is needed on the sustainable
management of Fagus orientalis Lipsky.
CONCLUSIONS:
Management
of
deciduous
broadleaved forests with selection cutting appeared
to be sustainable and avoid some of the unresolved
silvicultural problems associated with commercially
managed forests in North of Iran. So, when forest
manager want to develop and maintain an unevenaged tree structure in Hyrcanian hardwood stands,
Table 1. Comparison of the basal area increment of tree species in different diameter classes for 1963 and 2007
Fagus
Carpinus
Acer
Alnus
Other
Total
Diameter (cm)
Year
orientalis
betulus
insign
sabcordata
15-30
35-50
55-80
> 85
Total
1963
2007
1963
2007
1963
2007
1963
2007
1963
2007
0.664
1.985
1.118
2.805
3.809
3.317
2.923
2.473
8.514
10.580
0.141
1.437
0.669
1.641
3.194
2.372
1.268
0.583
5.272
6.033
0.286
0.448
0.279
2.152
1.108
1.688
2.289
0.559
3.962
4.847
0.191
0.202
0.238
0.830
1.126
2.310
3.124
1.735
4.679
5.077
0.12
0.085
0.293
0.110
0.565
0.154
1.401
0.103
2.379
0.452
1.401
4.157
2.598
7.538
9.802
9.841
11.006
5.453
24.806
26.989
Nakagawa, M., Kurahashi, A., Kaji, M., Hogetsu, T. 2001.
The effects of selection cutting on regeneration of
Picea jezoensis and Abies sachalinensis in the subboreal forests of Hokkaido, northern Japan. Forest
Ecology and Management, 146: 15-23.
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