The Fandoglu Forest, the largest common hazel forest reserve in Iran

Today, forest reserves in protecting biological diversity (plant and animal diversity) and preventing the extinction of many important plant and animal species have been of great interest. In this regard, Fandaghlou Forest reserve with an area of 913 hectares is the largest forest reserve of common hazel in the country, located in the north-east of Ardebil and around of Namin. This forest is considered as the spatial, climatic and habitat conditions, an ecotone forest from Hyrcanin to Arasbaran forests. For this reason, it is rich in vegetation diversity and composition. The common hazel (Corylus avellana L.) is the main species in Fandoghlou. The common hazel distribution in the study area is generally located at a range of 1320-1540 m.a.s.l. it occurs in both pure and mixed stands. Therefore, with increasing elevation, the number and density of hazelnut are decreased and form forest types with beech, hornbeam and oak species. There are five main forests types including mixed Corylus, Corylus – Fagus, Fagus – Corylus with Carpinus, Corylus–Qurecus with Carpinus and mixed broadleaves. The impacts of human-induced disturbances on forest ecosystem including logging, in recent years, forest conversion to other land uses, grazing, and fires have caused the destruction of the Fandoghlou Forest. Therefore, in order to achieve favorite situation, the responsible organizations must pay more attention to the conservation and protection of hazelnut habitats. Considering the national and global value of forest stands, implementation of development plans and investments to attract and dispatch tourists to the region, regardless to the forest conservation value, should be excluded, otherwise, this habitat will face irreparable damage in the future.