Environmental effects of wood extraction on composition and biodiversity regeneration (tree and herbaceous cover) (A case study: Gardeshy district of Choob and Kaghaz Mazandaran)

The use of wheeled skidders is well accepted practice for the extraction of timber from the forest, but this has tended to cause the greatest environmental problems. The aim of this study was survey wood extraction effects on tree regeneration and herbaceous cover biodiversity. The research location was Gardeshy district of Wood and Paper Co. in Mazandaran Province. Two plots with 400 m2 area considered at regular intervals on each side of the skid trail from skid trail. In this plots nine 2*2 meter microplot were used for counting of tree regeneration and percentage of herbaceous cover. Biodiversity indices (Shanon, Simpson), richness indices (Menhinick, Margalef) and uniformity indices (Equitability or Evenness) were estimated with PAST software, then analyzed data with SPSS software. The results of this study showed that the pH, electrical conductivity, nitrogen, potassium, calcium and carbon of soil were not statistically different at different distances from the skid trail and also biodiversity, richness and uniformity indices for herbaceous species and woody species regeneration don’t have significantly difference in different distance from skid trail.