Keivan Behjou F., Ghaffarzadeh Mollabashi O. (2017): Impact of logging intensity on stem density, basal area and biodiversity indices five years after logging in a Caspian hardwood forest. J. For. Sci., 63: 167-172.The aim of the present study was to analyse the impacts of different logging intensities after five years from logging including non-logged, low (3.4 felled stems per hectare), medium (5.2 felled stems per hectare) and high (7.1 felled stems per hectare) treatments on stem density, basal area, canopy cover, and forest biodiversity indices. The study area was located in northern Iran. Data was collected on a set of 120 circular plots with 5 m radius from both non-logged and logging areas. Stem density, basal area, and percentage of canopy cover were measured. Biodiversity study was done by measuring two diversity indices including Simpson's and Shannon-Wiener's, two richness indices including Margalef 's and Menhinick's and two evenness indices including Pielou's and Hill's indices. The results indicated that the treatment with the medium logging intensity was found to cause the highest amount of positive effects on stem density, basal area, and biodiversity indices. It is concluded that harvesting intensity should be limited to a medium level (approximately 5 felled trees per hectare) during each logging operation to improve forest biodiversity indices.
The forests in the north of Iran are located on steep terrains. The stump heights were measured in three compartments under selective management in Caspian forests. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of site characteristics on stump heights. The trees were felled with a Stihl chainsaw in the region. Each compartment included three slope categories (0–15, 15–30, and 30–60%) and three diameter categories (40–60, 60–80, 80–100 cm). Also, three snow depths were identified in the felling places (0–15, 15–30, and 30–45 cm) because of the felling season. The results of ANOVA test indicated that slope categories and snow depth had significant effects on stump heights (P < 0.01). In addition, the results proved that the stump diameter of harvested trees had no significant effect on residual stump heights (P > 0.05). Besides, there is a multiple linear relationship between stump height (dependent variable) and ground slope and snow depth as the independent variables.
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