Tree Diversity and Tree Crown and Stem Conditions as Indicators of Forest Health Monitoring in Masouleh Forest Watershed

This study aimed to analyze tree diversity and tree crown and stem condition as two indicators of forest health in the Masouleh forest watershed, Guilan province. Field data collection was performed using cluster sampling based on Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) method. A total of 5 clusters including 20 subplots in the mixed beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky.) forest stand were established. Within each cluster, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of existing trees such as diameter at breast height (dbh), total height, canopy diameter, density, and percentage of crown dieback and stem quality were studied and measured. To assess the tree species diversity, species biodiversity indices, richness and evenness were calculated in each cluster. Based on the results of the analysis of variance in 95% confidence level, there are no significant differences in the species diversity indices between the five different clusters (P>0.05). The highest and lowest value of the species diversity indices were measured in clusters 2 and 3, respectively. The largest change in the species diversity occurred at cluster 4. The results showed that all clusters in the study area had good status in terms of the species diversity indices. The amount of canopy drought in some species was proportional to the trend of canopy diameter changes and Buxus hyrcana Pojark. and Diospyros lotus L. species had the highest percentage of canopy drought (approximately 17%). Regarding the quality of stems, more than 80% of the trees in the forest stand have good quality. It is concluded that the health status of the studied ecosystem in terms of the level of tree diversity and tree crown and stem conditions is desirable.