Quantitative characteristics and species diversity of coppice stands in the Arasbaran forests, Iran

Forest structural analysis is essential in stands identification and development of appropriate management plans. This research at studying the quantitative characteristics as well as tree and shrub species diversity of the coppice stands of Arasbaran forests in East Azerbaijan province. To this aim, 24 sample plots with an area of ​​½ ha were systematically and randomly surveyed in the coppice stands by the full calipering method. The quantitative characteristics of the stand including species, the number of sprouts per sprout-clump, diameter and height of the sprout-clump were measured. The six indices of Simpson and Shannon-Wiener diversity, Margalef and Menhinick richness, and Peilou and Hill evenness were used to investigate biodiversity. Results showed that Quercus macranthera Fisch. & C.A.Mey. ex Hohen. (61.1%) was the dominant species, followed by Carpinus orientalis Mill. (12.2%), Acer campestre L. (10.4%) and Viburnum lantana L. (3.2%) as the associated species with higher frequencies. The average height and diameter at the breast height of the sprout-clumps were 5.08 m and 10.53 cm, respectively. The highest and lowest values of the biodiversity indices were returned by Peilou (1.42) and the Menhinick (0.31) indices, respectively. Results suggested a suitable level of biodiversity of the coppice stands. However, the semi-bell-shaped curve of diameter frequency distribution and the average sprout-clump diameter indicated the young even-aged stands. This structure might be caused by the lack of sound management and the severe degradation in these forests.