Structural characteristics of coppice forest stands in Fandoghloo Forest, Ardebil Province Province

The study of forest structure is one of the basic requirements to achieve the objectives of close to nature silviculture. The purpose of this study was to identify the structural characteristics of coppice forest stands in Fandoghlou forest, Ardebil province. Three representative sites were carefully selected after detailed field survey. In each site, 3 sample plots with one hectare area (100×100 m) were established according to a random systematic design. In addition, in each sample plot, 25 subplots (4×5m) were determined for regeneration study. In each microplot, the frequency of regeneration was recorded in different diameter and height classes. Data were analyzed using appropriate softwares (Excel and SPSS). Results showed that, Fagus orientalis Lipesky, is the dominant species in one of the sites and in two other sites, beech accompanied hornbeam and hazelnut. The situation of stand structure and regeneration in site one and two were better than site three. Distribution charts of number in diagonal classes showed uneven-aged and irregular stands. Mean comparison of structural parameters in studied sites showed a significant difference at 5% confidence level for various sites.