Evaluation and Comparison of Biodiversity Indexes of Tree Species in Hyrcanian Forests (Case Study: Kheyroud, Ramsar and Neka Forests)

Determining and comparing biodiversity in different forest communities is important for accurate identification and forest management. The purpose of this study is an investigation the status of tree species diversity in three forest areas: Gorazbon district of Noushahr Kheyrod forest, Ashkateh Chal of Sefarood Ramsar forest and Haft Khal Neka forest. Species diversity of fixed plots was calculated by Margalf and Manhink (as species richness index), Simson and Shannon-Wiener (as heterogenity index), and Pielou and Hip (as evenness indices) indices. In all of 10R fixed plots, the DBH of alive trees was recorded. Statistically comparisons were done by one-way ANOVA and Duncan test. The results showed that all indices have significant differences at confidence level of 95%. The maximum and minimum of species richness were seen at Kheyroud and Neka forest, respectively. Also, Simpson and Shannon Wiener diversity indices are also maximum at the Kheyroud and minimum in the Neka forest. Ramsar forest has the most uniformity, then Kheyroud forest. The results show that the status of woody species diversity in Kheyroud forest is better than other forest areas in this study. The Neka forest, specially, has poor condition in terms of biodiversity indicators.