The Effect of Dead Trees on Natural Regeneration in Mixed Beech Forest Case Study:(Gorazbon District, Kheiroud, Nowshahr)

For the purpose of the effectiveness of the dead trees on the forest regeneration, they were divided into four degrees in terms of the rate of decay. This study has been carried out with the aim of investigating the role of the dead trees on establishing natural revival of forest communities in the district 3 of Gorazbon region in the sample plot 309 of training-research forest of KHEYROOD region in a sample plot almost intact with an area of about 47 hectars. Out of 46 trees of the dead trees, the hundred percent inventory was carried out. Around the standing trees, a circular sample plot with a radius of 5.64 m from the dead trees centrality was established (130 cm) and the numbers of saplings were counted in three height classes. For fallen dead trees around both ends of a dead tree, a square of 4 m width (2m from each side) was established, the number of saplings were counted and for the comparison of regeneration around a dead tree, a sound tree was designated at the distance of 20 up to 30m from a dead tree, and the number of saplings were counted as before. The results showed that the most of the dead trees on the basis of the decay degree belonged to the beech species and was of the degree 4, the difference at the level of 95% is meaningful in comparison with the other degrees of the dead trees. According to the results obtained, the number of regeneration around the dead trees were more than that of the sound trees, and most of the saplings established around the dead trees were observed with the degree 4 of decay. The general results indicate that the dead trees have significant effect on establishing the revival of the beech saplings in forest mixed with beech, especially in thick stocks.