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Deadwood assessment in different developmental stages of beech ( Fagus orientalis  Lipsky) stands in Caspian forest ecosystems
Mataji, A.; Sagheb-Talebi, K. & Eshaghi-Rad, J.
Abstract
Deadwood is an indicator that addresses many
parameters of naturalness and is becoming a general reference
for natural forests. If there are enough of the different
kinds of deadwood in a forest, then it is likely to be
properly natural. Also, it is a practical indicator, representing
the health and biodiversity of forests. The aim of
this research was to find out how much deadwood should
be present in different developmental stages in a natural
forest as a reference. For this purpose, a natural forest
ecosystem in Mazandaran province, north of Iran, which is
located in Noshahr, was selected. Species, diameter and
height of all (living and dead) trees in each area were
assessed. Then, developmental stages were determined,
and their map was produced. The amount of deadwood was
determined in different stages. Results showed that all three
stages (initial, optimal and decay stage) could be recognized
in the studied beech stands. Deadwood rate varied
and greatest volume and number of it occurred in decay
and initial stages, respectively. The frequency and volume
of deadwood depend on the pattern of natural disturbance,
developmental stages and stand structure. The amount of
deadwood within managed forests is open to debate and
requires detailed knowledge about beech stands in local
conditions. So, based on these results in natural forests of
beech in north of Iran, deadwood volume between 4.9 and
54.3 m3 ha-1 or 1.1–9.6 % of total volume of wood could
be considered as a reasonable amount and each developmental
stage must be different.
Keywords
Deadwood; Optimal stage; Stand structure; Natural disturbance
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