The impact of forest roads on understory plant diversity in temperate hornbeam-beech forests of Northern Iran

Self Cite

In view of the important role played by roots against shallow landslides, root tensile force was evaluated for two widespread temperate tree species within the Caspian Hyrcanian Ecoregion, i.e., Fagus orientalis L. and Carpinus betulus L. Fine roots (0.02 to 7.99 mm) were collected from five trees of each species at three different elevations (400, 950, and 1350 m a.s.l.), across three diameter at breast height (DBH) classes (small = 7.5–32.5 cm, medium = 32.6–57.5 cm, and large =57.6–82.5 cm), and at two slope positions relative to the tree stem (up- and down-slope). In the laboratory, maximum tensile force (N) required to break the root was determined for 2016 roots (56 roots per each of two species x three sites x three DBH classes x two slope positions). ANCOVA was used to test the effects of slope position, DBH, and study site on root tensile force. To obtain the power-law regression coefficients, a nonlinear least square method was used. We found that: 1) root tensile force strongly depends on root size, 2) F. orientalis roots are stronger than C. betulus ones in the large DBH class, although they are weaker in the medium and small DBH classes, 3) root mechanical resistance is higher upslope than downslope, 4) roots of the trees with larger DBH were the most resistant roots in tension in compare with roots of the medium or small DBH classes, and 5) the root tensile force for both species is notably different from one site to another site. Overall, our findings provide a fundamental contribution to the quantification of the protective effects of forests in the temperate region.

Section: Study Site and Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanical Characteristics of the Fine Roots of Two Broadleaved Tree Species from the Temperate Caspian Hyrcanian Ecoregion

Deljouei

Abdi

Schwarz

et al. 2020

Self Cite

“…Forests 2021, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 17 3. Thirdly, we describe our methods, of development and training of ANFIS algorithms; and application of ANFIS for LS mapping in the study area; 4.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Forest road networks provide essential infrastructure for the operation and transportation of products and the use of forest services, protection of forest resources, and achieving sustainable management goals [1][2][3][4]. However, forest roads can also increase landslide rates [5][6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparison of an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy and Frequency Ratio Model to Landslide-Susceptibility Mapping along Forest Road Networks

Zare

Hosseini

Hafizi

et al. 2021

Self Cite

In this research, we used the integration of frequency ratio and adaptive neuro-fuzzy modeling (ANFIS) to predict landslide susceptibility along forest road networks in the Hyrcanian Forest, northern Iran. We began our study by first mapping landslide locations during an extensive field survey. In addition, we then selected landslide-conditioning factors, such as slope, aspect, altitude, rainfall, geology, soil, road age, and slip position from the available Geographic Information System (GIS) data. Following this, we developed Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) models with two different membership functions (MFs) in order to generate landslide susceptibility maps. We applied a frequency ratio model to the landslide susceptibility mapping and compared the results with the probabilistic ANFIS model. Finally, we calculated map accuracy by evaluating receiver-operating characteristics (ROC). The validation results yielded 70.7% accuracy using the triangular MF model, 67.8% accuracy using the Gaussian MF model, and 68.8% accuracy using the frequency ratio model. Our results indicated that the ANFIS is an effective tool for regional landslide susceptibility assessment, and the maps produced in the study area can be used for natural hazard management in the landslide-prone area of the Hyrcanian region.

“…There is no doubt that building transportation infrastructure plays a significant role in an ecosystem's degradation, reconstruction, and reconfiguration [1]. In general, roads, a typical example of transportation infrastructure, affect the biotic and abiotic environment in their surroundings [2][3][4][5]. In forested areas, roads are constructed to facilitate forest management practices and also to provide access to forest resources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In forested areas, roads are constructed to facilitate forest management practices and also to provide access to forest resources. Although roads can lead to an increase in tree growth along their edges [6], they can also result in natural disturbances [7] by leading to habitat fragmentation [8], inducing invasion of pests, diseases, and exotic species [9], increasing erosion and sediment yield [10,11], changing vegetation diversity and biomass components in adjacent forest stands [4,12,13], and influencing the soil's physical and chemical properties [5,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Soil’s Chemical and Biochemical Properties Induced by Road Geometry in the Hyrcanian Temperate Forests

Rahbarisisakht

Moayeri

Hayati

et al. 2021

Forest roads play an important role in providing access to forest resources. However, they can significantly impact the adjacent soil and vegetation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of road geometry (RG) on the chemical and biochemical properties of adjacent soils to assist in environmentally friendly forest road planning in mountainous areas. Litter layer, canopy cover, soil organic carbon (SOC) stock, total nitrogen (TN), the activity of dehydrogenase (DHA), and urease (UA) enzymes at a 0–20 cm soil depth were measured by sampling at various distances from the road edge to 100 m into the forest interior. The measurements were done for three road geometries (RG), namely straight, curved, and bent roads, to ensure data heterogeneity and to reflect the main geometric features of the forest roads. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the effects of RG on the measured variables were statistically significant. Spearman’s correlation test clearly showed a strong positive correlation between environmental conditions, SOC, TN, DHA, and UA for given RGs. Based on piecewise linear regression analysis, the down slope direction of the straight and the inside direction of bent roads accounted for the lowest and highest ranges of ecological effects, respectively. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the environmental effects brought about by road geometry, which can be important for forest road managers when applying the best management practices.