Determination of Spatial Pattern of Woody Species using Point Pattern Analysis (Case Study: Chehel-tan Dehbakri Forest, Kerman Province)

The spatial distribution pattern is an important attribute of forest communities. Comprehending latent processes in the spatial pattern of tree communities is an important aim in forest ecology. Ecological processes in forest ecosystems directly affect the spatial pattern of various forest species. The spatial distribution pattern of species of different forest species affects ecological processes of forest ecosystems and plays an important role in comprehending forest ecosystem dynamics. This study aims to determine the spatial pattern of trees and shrubs, Pistacia mutica, Acer monspessulanum, Amygdalus scoparia, Cotoneaster Kotschyi Klotz, Daphne mucronata, Berberis integerrima, Nerium oleander in forest habitat of Cheltan Dehbakri in Bam county, Kerman province. The attributes recorded in the field includes: species type and geographic position for individual trees and shrubs within a 15 ha area. We used three methods, Nearest Neighbor, Ripleychr('39')s K function and O-ring function for determination of species-specific spatial distribution pattern as well as the spatial pattern of total woody species across the study. Despite existing differences in the intensity of aggregation, the results showed that all woody species are distributed in an aggregated pattern. According to the results of the nearest neighbor method, the distribution pattern of Berberis integerrima species is random, but other species are aggregated Results of this study proved the ability of mentioned indices to determine the true spatial pattern of woody species in the study area and can provide useful information for describing the sustainability of this valuable ecosystem and monitoring conservation and restoration activities. Regarding the goal and available circumstances, can be applied from each one of indices in future studies.