The impact of ecotourism on vegetation structure and plant diversity of Noor forest park, Iran

Tourism in natural areas can affect the biodiversity, density and structure of stands and plants health. The present research aims at studying the effects of tourism on vegetation structure and species diversity in Noor Forest Park, Mazandaran province. To do so, the study area was divided into three main zones: without pressure, moderate, and high tourism pressures. Then, sampling was done with 20 sample plots of 20 × 20 m sample with random-systematic distribution in each zone (60 plots in total). Within each sample plot, trees, shrubs, herbs and regenerations were counted and quantitative and qualitative characteristics of all woody species were measured. The species richness, evenness and diversity indices were then calculated and the calculated indices and forest structural features were compared amongst the mentioned zones. Based on the results, diversity of forest floor flora in high tourism pressure zone was higher than other zones and there was no significant difference in woody species diversity among three zones, nevertheless a considerable reduction was seen in density of both woody and floor species. The lowest regeneration abundance was observed in high tourism pressure zone and the most, in medium tourism pressure zone. In zone without tourism pressure, average height and canopy of trees were more compared with the high tourism pressure zone. Also, most snags, the highest ratio of broken trees to total trees and the highest number of diseased and damaged trees were observed in high tourism pressure zone. In this zone, Alnus glutinosa, Populus caspica and Parrotia persica had the lowest vitality.