Investigation on the Regeneration and Vegetation Composition in the Edge of Forest Roads

In order to evaluate the effects of forest road on regeneration and vegetation composition in district No. 2 Shafaroud, a road was selected with the length of 400 m that the altitude, aspect, slope variations and species composition were similar. Five transects in right and 5 transects in left side of road, were established as perpendicular. In each transect 5, 15, 25 and 35 m distances were determined from the road edge. Type and number of regeneration species of trees and shrubs in 100 m2, and type and cover percentage of herbaceous species with using minimal area method were recorded in 64 m2. Herbaceous species was classified into two groups using Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis: Primula heterochroma and Lolium temulentum L. - Rumex conglomerates. Results indicated that species composition of plots in road edge was difference in comparing with plots of inside the forest and they were classified into two separate groups. Among the regenerations Alnus subcordata had significant difference in term of abundance between different distances from the edge of the road. This species had more abundance in the edge of the road. The results of the present study would be useful for evaluating ecological effects of roads on sites with similar conditions.