@article{ author = {Vahedi, A. A. and Motaji, A. and EshaghiRad, J.}, title = {Variation of Soil Organic Carbon Pool Weight Associated with Plant Biodiversity (Case Study: Mixed-Beech Forests of Glandrood in Nour)}, abstract ={Soil organic carbon pool plays an important role in the global C cycle and climate change mitigation. Therefore, improving our understanding of some factors such as plant biodiversity that can affect forest soil C storage is fundamentally important for anticipating changes. This study was carried out in the mixed-beech forests of Glandrood located in Noor using a systematic network of points including 400 m2 plot for trees layer regularly distributed by a distance of 100 m from each other. Within each sampling plot, five different smaller sub-plots (1m2) corresponded to the herbal coverage on the four cardinals and the center of sampling plots in order to measure Shannon-winner index H΄, Pielou index J΄, Species richness SR, Dominance index D, Abundance index and Species Importance Value index SIV. After removing the litter and large plant materials, soil samples were collected at 0-10, 10-30 and 30-50 cm depths within each sub-plot, air dried and 2 mm sieved. The results of one-way ANOVA indicated that soil organic C pool was significantly different in the second depth compared to other soil layers. Based on the Pearson's correlation test across different soil layers, a positive strong correlation was detected between soil organic carbon storage at the first depth and abundance of tree layer. Furthermore, the aforementioned test showed that there was a strong correlation between Pielou index, dominance index of herbal coverage and soil C pool weight in the third depth as well as across the whole depths. Moreover, there was a inverse correlation between Dominance of herbal coverage and soil C pool weight in the third depth and the whole depth. In addition, there was a positive strong correlation between Shannon's index of herbal coverage and soil C pool weight in the third depth, total soil C pool weight. In contrast to the above conclusion, there was no significant correlation between species richness, SIV and soil C pool weight in different depths. This illustrated that soil organic C pool variation was independent of species richness and species importance value of both trees and herbal layers.}, Keywords = {Soil organic C pool, Plant diversity, Coverage of tree and herbs, Mixed-beech forest, Glandrood of Noor}, volume = {3}, Number = {7}, pages = {1-12}, publisher = {}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-469-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-469-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2014} } @article{ author = {Gholami, SH. and SalmanMahini, A. and Hosseini, S. M. and Mohammadi, J. and Sayad, E.}, title = {Assessment of Vegetation Density and Soil Macrofauna Relationship in Riparian Forest of Karkhe River for the Determination of Rivers Buffer Zone}, abstract ={The spatial distribution of soil organisms is influenced by the plant cover, thus resulting in a horizontal mosaic of areas subjected to gradients of nutrient availability and microclimatic conditions.This study was conducted to investigate the spatial variability of soil macrofauna in relation to vegetation density in the riparian forest landscape of Karkhe. The vegetation density was determined by calculating the NDVI index. Soil macrofauna were sampled using 200 sampling points along parallel transects (perpendicular to the river). The maximum distance between samples was 0.5 km. Soil macrofauna were extracted from 50 cm×50 cm×25 cm soil monolith by the hand-sorting procedure. Abundance, diversity (Shannon H’ index), richness (Menhinick index) and evenness (Sheldon index) were calculated. Soil macrofauna and NDVI data were analyzed using geostatistics (variogram) in order to describe and quantify the spatial continuity. The variograms were spherical, revealing the presence of spatial autocorrelation. The range of influence was 1724 m for abundance, 1326 m for diversity, 1825 m for richness, 1450 for evenness and 1977 m for NDVI. The kriging maps showed that the NDVI Index and soil macrofauna had spatial variability. The spatial pattern of soil macrofauna abundance and biodiversity were similar to the spatial pattern of vegetation density as shown in the correlation.}, Keywords = {Spatial pattern, NDVI Index, Soil macrofauna biodiversity, Variogram}, volume = {3}, Number = {7}, pages = {13-26}, publisher = {}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-470-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-470-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2014} } @article{ author = {EshaghiRad, J. and Khanalizadeh, A.}, title = {Comparison of Woody and Herbaceous Plant Diversity in Control and Managed Broadleaves Stands Managed Broadleaves Stands (A Case Study: Jamand District- Golband Forest of Noshahr)}, abstract ={The aim of present study was comparison of plant diversity in managed and control compartments of Jamand district in Noshahr (Mazandaran province). Random-systematic sampling method with network dimension of 100×200 m was used to locate samples. Sampling plot area was 400 m2 to survey woody species and 100 m2 plots was set up to herbaceous species (in the center of main plots). At each sample plot, percent cover of each plant species were recorded by using of Braun-Blanquet scale and Shannon Wiener Evenness, Shannon Wiener and Simpson diversity indices were used to evaluate plant species diversity. The results showed that means of Shannon Wiener Evenness, Shannon Wiener and Simpson diversity indices for herbaceous species were 0.77, 2.1 and 0.8 in the managed compartment, and 0.68, 1.9 and 0.72 in control compartment, respectively, but there were no significant differences between two compartments based on herbaceous layer diversity indices (α= 5%). The means of diversity indices in tree layer based on cover percent, relative density, and importance value were obtained significantly higher in control compartment than managed compartment. Also the results illustrated that implication of single selection method caused increasing the percentage of beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) in the stands of managed compartment.}, Keywords = {Simpson index, Shannon Wiener index, Single selection, Jamand district, Noshahr.}, volume = {3}, Number = {7}, pages = {27-39}, publisher = {}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-471-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-471-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2014} } @article{ author = {Parsaei, F. and VarastehMoradi, H. and Rezaei, H. R.}, title = {The Effects of Different Forest Loggings on Forest Birds Community Composition in Shastkolateh Forest, Gorgan}, abstract ={The species composition of a bird community is dependent upon many factors. Within any geographic area, vegetation structure may be the most important factor. The changes of bird community composition based on foraging behavior in relation to 3 different harvesting systems, including strip cutting, group selection logging, and single tree selection logging, was evaluated in a virgin area in this study. Birds and environmental variables were detected within 103 circle sampling plots with 25m radius. Based on the results, 4 groups of birds were observed in treatments based on the foraging behavior. Group 1 was ground foragers, group 2 consisted of foliage gleaning, group 3 included flycatchers, and group 4 represented bark foraging. The first group had the highest abundance in the strip treatment. The second group in group selection treatment, and the third and fourth groups had the highest abundance in the virgin area and then, in single tree selection treatment. The first group showed the highest correlation with shrub and herb or grass layer, stone cover and the number of trees 10-20m in height. The second, third and fourth groups showed the highest correlation with the number of trees>20m in height, basal areas, dead trees number, and the number of fagus trees. The results showed the single cutting treatment had a relatively minor effect on mature forest bird species and were more appropriate and sustainable methods to reduce the negative effects of forest harvesting on the birds.}, Keywords = {Forest harvesting, Species composition, Birds community, Foraging strategy.}, volume = {3}, Number = {7}, pages = {41-53}, publisher = {}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-472-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-472-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2014} } @article{ author = {Alijanpour, A. and BanjShafiei, A. and Asghari1, A.}, title = {The Effect of Aspect, Climate (Temperature, Precipitation) and Soil on Annual Ring Width of Cornalian Cherry in Arasbaran Forests (N.W. Iran)}, abstract ={Cornalian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is a native woody species in Arasbaran, N.W. Iran. It commonly grows as a wild tree on the forest edges and in forest openings areas. In this study, the influence of physiographic and environmental factors such as aspect, climate (temperature, precipitation) and physical and chemical properties of soil on the tree ring width of Cornalian cherry was examined and statistically analyzed. Totally, 48 trees at four aspects (north, east, west and south), 12 trees in each one, were randomly selected, and a 2 cm thick disk was taken at 10 cm height above ground for each stem. For soil analysis, a soil sample was taken from 0 to 30 cm of depth just next to those stems in which the discs had been got in each aspect (totally 48 samples). After scanning the disks, the width of growth rings was measured using Image-j software. Comparison of tree ring width average in different aspects using Duncan's multiple comparison showed that there was significant difference between average widths in different aspects (α=0.05). The tree ring width in the east aspect had the most growth (1.34 mm) compared to others. The relationship between the rings width and climate conditions (precipitation and temperature) was shown using Pearson's correlation. It was found that there was a significant positive relationship between the annual ring width and temperature in northern and eastern aspects and between the width of the annual rings and precipitation in the southern aspect. Soil results also showed that CaCo3% (28.8), clay% (45), NH4+ (57.3 mg/kg), NO3- (12 mg/kg) and exchangeable Ca (22.9 cmol/kg) were significantly higher in the east compared to other aspects. Eventually, using cornellian cherry as a multi-purposes species suggested the possibility of rehabilitating degraded forest stands in Arasbaran region, which is located in the eastern aspect.}, Keywords = {Arasbaran, precipitation, Annual ring width, Aspect, Forest soil, Temperature, Cornellian cherry.}, volume = {3}, Number = {7}, pages = {55-67}, publisher = {}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-473-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-473-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2014} } @article{ author = {Shokrollahi, SH. and Moradi, H. R. and DianatiTilaki, GH. A.}, title = {Determination of Indicator Ecological Factors in the Habitats of Some Plant Species of Polour Mountainous Rangelands, Mazandaran Province}, abstract ={The aim of the present study was investigating some ecological factors in the habitats of four species and determining the most significant variables affecting the presence and distribution of these species. Study area, which was about 4600 ha, was located at Polur, Mazandaran province. For this purpose, after primary survey and selection of main plant species, 3 transects 150 meter in length were laid down systematically and 10 random plots (1m×1m) were established in each vegetation type. The investigated plant species included Festuca ovina, Astragalus gossypinus, Poa bulbosa and Dactylis glomerata.Then, 3 soil samplings were taken from 0-30 cm in starting, mean and ending points of each transect. Soil factors such as N, P, organic material, pH, EC and texture were determined. The software SHAZAM 10 package was used to find the logical relationship between plant species and environmental variables. The statistical pattern for this research was based on qualitative function. Therefore, logic function was evaluated. The results showed that soil acidity and nitrogen were the main limiting factors affecting the presence and absence probability of Festuca ovina and Poa bulbosa but, in the habitats of Astragalus depressus, organic matter and electrical conductivity were the most important variables affecting the presence and absence probability of this species. Elevation and nitrogen were the main limiting factors in the habitats of Dactylis glomerata.}, Keywords = {Habitat, Environmental factors, Presence and absence, Mountainous rangelands, Plour.}, volume = {3}, Number = {7}, pages = {69-81}, publisher = {}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-474-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-474-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2014} } @article{ author = {Erfanifard, Y. and Sheikholeslami, N. and Zare, L.}, title = {Effects of Spatial Distribution of Trees on Density Estimation by Nearest Individual Sampling Method: Case Studies in Zagros Wild Pistachio Woodlands and Simulated Stands}, abstract ={Distance methods and their estimators of density may have biased measurements unless the studied stand of trees has a random spatial pattern. This study aimed at assessing the effect of spatial arrangement of wild pistachio trees on the results of density estimation by using the nearest individual sampling method in Zagros woodlands, Iran, and applying a correction factor based on the spatial pattern of trees. A 45 ha clumped stand of wild pistachio trees was selected in Zagros woodlands and two random and dispersed stands with similar density and area were simulated. Distances from the nearest individual and neighbour at 40 sample points in a 100 × 100 m grid were measured in the three stands. The results showed that the nearest individual method with Batcheler estimator could not calculate density correctly in all stands. However, applying the correction factor based on the spatial pattern of the trees, density was measured with no significant difference in terms of the real density of the stands. This study showed that considering the spatial arrangement of trees can improve the results of the nearest individual method with Batcheler estimator in density measurement.}, Keywords = {Spatial pattern, Batcheler, Wild pistachio, Density, Zagros, Nearest individual.}, volume = {3}, Number = {7}, pages = {83-93}, publisher = {}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-475-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-475-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2014} }