Effect of Elevation on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Lime Trees in Shafaroud Basin of Guilan Province

In order to study the effect of elevation on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the humid forests of Guilan Shafaroud، series 17، 16 and 7 were selected that fall in to three height classes; class 1 (less than 500 m)، class 2 (500 – 1000 m) and class 3 (1000 – 1600 m). In height class 1، 2 and 3 sample plots were determined as 4، 15 and 20 respectively and each sample plot was 0. 1 ha and characteristics of species، total height، crown symmetry، crown diameter، canopy cover، and diameter at breast height، regeneration status of the species and percent of species mixture in each site were calculated. The results showed that there are maximum density of lime in the elevation range of 600 - 1000 m from Height above sea level and extends to the northern and eastern slopes. Also، symmetry of the crown، regeneration status and canopy cover survey of trees showed that broad and symmetrical crowns ranged from 400 - 800 m، utmost regeneration density belong to height class 1، 2 and the height class 2 with %85 have maximum canopy cover. The distribution of trees in diameter classes revealed that forest under study has irregular uneven-aged structure and the irregularity of the curve also shows the ravages during different stages of growth. The overall، habitat of class 1 in Shafaroud forests، determine the most suitable habitat for lime trees.