Comparison of the spatial pattern of fruit species in managed and unmanaged Hyrcanian forests (Case study: Noshahr forest, Neyrang)

Fruit trees are one of important components of forest ecosystems، that their protection regarding to their important roles in ecosystem is one of the important aims in global protection structures. On the basis of fruit trees importance from ecological and economical aspects the aims of this study was to compare the spatial patterns of fruit species in managed and unmanaged forests. The study site was located in Neyrang-Noshahr forest of Iran. Two managed and unmanaged compartments were selected with are of 51 ha and 40 ha respectively with approximately similar physiographical conditions. Full inventory of fruit trees along with determination of special position were done. Ripley’s K-function was used to analyze the spatial pattern of fruit trees. The null hypothesis was a random distribution of fruit trees، which was tested by Montecalo simulation. Results showed that species of Crataegus aronia، Diospyrus lotus، Mespilus germanica، Prunus divaricata، and Ficus carica existed in both managed and unmanaged forests. However، the frequency of Crataegus aronia and Diospyrus lotus were more than other species in two compartments، while frequency of Diospyrus lotus in unmanaged forest was more than managed one. Spatial pattern of fruit trees in two compartments was cluster in short distances and then random in larger distances. Less frequency of Diospyrus lotus in managed forest in comparison to unmanaged forest was due to cutting this species by villagers in managed area which caused increased clustering pattern in short distances (up to 17m). Finally، we conclude that the spatial pattern of fruit trees in managed forest has changed slightly compared to unmanaged forest، due to high frequency of seed production and being pioneer and low demanding behavior of this species that reduced the impact of management.