Investigation of the vegetative and soil characteristics of wild cherry (Cerasus avium L.) stands in the Arasbaran forests, Iran

Knowing the habitat conditions of forest species is one of the primary principles for understanding forest ecosystems. This research aims to study the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of wild cherry (Cerasus avium L.) in ‎different aspects and elevations, and determine the most important ecological factors affecting ‎these characteristics. The study area is Kalibar Chay and Ilgenhe Chai of Arasbaran forests in ‎Kalibar county. According to the physiographic conditions of these regions in two elevation classes, ‎‎1000-1500 and 1500-2000 m.a.s.l., and in three main geographical aspects (north, east and west), 30 ‎circle sample plots with 500 m2 were selected in wild cherry habitats. Characteristics of wild cherry such ‎as physiographic features, diameter at breast height (DBH), origin, trunk quality and canopy diameter with a diameter ‎of more than 6 cm were recorded in each sample plot. Also, soil samples were taken ‎to determine some soil properties. Results showed that the DBH of trees in the altitude range of ‎‎1000-1500 m.a.s.l. is significantly higher than the altitude range of 1500-2000 ‎m.a.s.l. It can be concluded ‎that wild cherry stems have higher growth potential in terms of elevation class at low altitudes ‎and in terms of soil conditions in deep soils and high drainage with medium moisture retention ‎capacity. It was also found that the mean of both DBH and crown diameter and the density of wild cherry in the northern ‎and eastern aspects are higher than in the western aspect. Generally, wild cherry in this region prefers the northern and eastern slopes.‎Analysis of Relevance and Redundancy (RDA), Arasbaran, elevation, geographical aspect.