Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of pistachio forests in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province

Pistacia atlantica Desf. is one of the most important species in the Zagros forests. This research was conducted in order to investigate the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of pistachio forests in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. At first, all of the forest regions were investigated and typology map of forests was made on 1:50000 map. Then the digital map of forest types was made. Sampling grid was established on the map, so that at least 30 plots were selected on the biggest type of pistachio. Using the same method, number of sample plots was calculated for other forest types. A total of 39 circle plots, each 1000 m2, were selected. The results indicated that Pistachio was present in 6 forests types. Quercus-Pistacia covering 84801 ha area was the largest type, while Acer- Pistacia was the smallest type that covered 537 ha. Pistachio type with 90 trees per hectare was the most dense forest type, while Amygdalus-Pistacia type with 20 trees per ha was the less dense type. The thickest and tiniest pistachio trees were recorded in the Acer-Pistacia and Amygdalus-Pistacia types, respectively. Considering the presence of pistachio in the vast and widest forest type of Quercus-Pistacia, we can plant this species in pure and dominant oak stands of the province.