Investigation on regeneration in different Oak (Quercus brantii and Q. infectoria) forest types and appropriates strategy for their rehabilitation, at Salas Babajani forest, Kermanshah province

Regeneration is one of the basic issues in forming, sustainability and evolution of different ecosystems. Forest ecosystem as one of the completes ecosystems is not an exception and its sustainability and evolution is provided by regeneration. Therefore, we investigated the regeneration of Salas Babajani forest. Seven forest types including i) high stands and ii) coppice stands of Q. brantti, iii) mixed coppice with high stand Q. brantti, iv) high stand of Q. brantii and Pistacia atlantica, v) mixed coppice with high stand of Q. brantii and Pistacia atlantica, vi) coppice Q. brantii and Q. infectoria and vii) coppice with high stand of Q. brantii and Q. infectoria were determined in forest cover of the study site considering species mixture and growth origin (coppice, high stand and both) and the regeneration of wooden species within these types were studied. Results showed there was significant differences (P-value <0.01) among the studied forest types in sexual and asexual regeneration. The coppice types of Q. brantii and coppice Q. brantii-Q. infectoria had suitable asexual regeneration but contained no sexual regeneration. Sparse and scattered seed originated (sexual) regeneration was observed in the other forest types. The situation of seed originated (sexual) regeneration was better in mixed coppice with high stand of Q. brantti and Q. infectoria type that were mostly spread out on north faced slopes. The results of this research showed that in order to rehabilitate the degraded forest stands in the area it is necessary to consider forest types regarding their ecological conditions and protect and support sexual regeneration.