Determination of form factor for three species (Pinus brutia, Pinus pinea and Cupressus sempervirens) in the Arabdagh reforests, Golestan province

Knowledge of forest inventory and estimation the exact volume of trees is one of the important features in planning for forest resources. The form factor is one of the most important factors in determining the exact volume of trees. To estimate the actual volume of trees, the form factor must be calculated. The aim of this study, determination of form factor for three species (Pinus brutia, Pinus pinea and Cupressus sempervirens) in the Arabdagh reforests, and comparison of the real form factor with the natural, artificial, and Hohnadl factors.

In this research four types of form factors including real, natural, artificial, and Hohnadl factors for three species (Pinus brutia, Pinus pinea and Cupressus sempervirens) were evaluated in the Arabdagh reforests, Golestan province. For this purpose, 39 trees )13 trees for each species) randomly selected in different diameter at breast height classes from 7.5 to 42.5 cm (2 trees of each diameter class). In each tree, height, diameter at breast height (D.B.H) and diameter at 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 of tree height were measured, then 2-meter length logs from every tree were cut and separated and their diameter at two tops of 2 m length logs were measured. In addition, the height and diameter of the clog and the length of the tree was also measured. To calculate the exact volume of the trunk from the sum of 2 m long logs volumes and log using the Smalian formula. Then the form factors (real, natural, artificial, and Hohnadl) were calculated for every 3 species.

The results showed that true, natural, artificial, and Hohnadl form factor value were 0.49, 0.49, 0.41 and 0.45 (Pinus brutia) respectively. In addition, there was a significant statistical difference between artificial with true form factor (α = 0.05), but There was no significant difference between natural and Hohnadl form factor with the true form factor. The form factors (Pinus pinea) using real, natural, artificial and Hohnadl formulas was obtained 0.51, 0.47, 0.41 and 0.45 respectively. There was a significant difference between the real form factor with artificial and Hohnadl form factors. However, there was no significant difference between natural form factor with the real form factor. The form factors (Cupressus sempervirens) using real, natural, artificial and Hohnadl formulas were 0.55, 0.53, 0.48, and 0.48 respectively. There was a significant difference between the Hohnadl and real form factor. However, there was no significant difference between the real, natural and artificial form factors

According to the results of this research, we can conclude that the natural form factor can be used as an appropriate form factor for Pinus brutia, Pinus pinea, and Cupressus sempervirens, and Hohnadl form factor for Pinus brutia and artificial form factor for Cupressus sempervirens can ability replace the real form factor.