Influence of Endemic and Exotic Afforestation (Chai Bagh district of Qaemshahr) on Biodiversity of Plant Species and Woody Regeneration

The aim of this research was the studying influence of endemic and exotic afforestation on biodiversity of plant species and woody regeneration in Qaemshahr Chai-Bagh district, located in Mazandaran Province. Due to, 2 hectare area were considered in afforested stands of Acer velutinum, Alnus subcordata, Cupressus sempervirens, Pinus nigra with control area. To doing this research, 15 sample plots with 20m × 20m area were taken in each plantation and also control area. We recorded type and individual of woody regeneration with covering percent all of herbal species in micro sample plots with 1m × 1m area. For biodiversity analyses; Simpson, Shannon Wieners, McIntosh diversity; Margalef, Mechanic's richness; Pit and Hill's evenness indices were employed. Analyses of variance whole studied indices (for plant species and also woody regeneration) were significantly different among afforested stands. About plant biodiversity, the control area showed the most values of Simpson, McIntosh, Margalef, Mechanic, Pit and Hill's indices whereas the maximum of Shannon Wiener was detected in Pinus nigra stand. But, about the woody regeneration the greater amounts were observed in Acer velutinum for all of biodiversity indices. According to these findings, it is recommended that broad-leaved has more priority compared to needle-leaved for afforestation due to biodiversity (especially woody regeneration) development and conservation. Planting of need-leaved species should be considered in especial condition and with especial purpose beside precision studies of region ecosystem.