Evaluating the microplot method to estimating the regeneration density of wild cherry ‎‎(Prunus avium L.)‎

The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy and precision of single microplot method in estimating the regeneration of wild cherry and introducing an alternative method. For this purpose, after a primary survey, three parcels in district-7 from Shafarood basin, which had mother trees and wild cherry regeneration, were selected. A total of fifty circular plots were taken randomly, in a 150×200 m grid, each 1000 m2 area. Four microplots were measured at a radius of 2 m and all the cherry seedlings were counted. A transect, 0.2 m wide and 10 m long was layed in each plot and all of the cherry seedlings under 1.3 m height were counted. In an area of 10,000 m2, including 10 randomly selected plots, all wild cherry seedlings were counted and calculated density was considered as control. Based on the results, the sampling error in the clustered-microplot method was minimal (18.69%) and in the transect method was maximum (45.62%). In terms of the accuracy, the clustered-microplot method had the highest accuracy (15.72%) and transect method had the least accuracy (111.74%) in density estimates. One-sample t-test showed that there is a significant difference between transect and single-microplot methods with the control in 5% confidence level, while the clustered-microplot was not statistically different. It can be said that the clustered-microplot method is more superior than single-miroplot method and is preferable for accurate and precise estimation of regeneration for rare specieses like wild cherry.