Quantity, quality and bole form of trees in logged, protected, and recreational parcels in mixed beech stands (Case study: Nav-Asalem forest)

In the current study, the quantity, quality, and bole form of trees were investigated in three parcels of selectively logged, protected, and recreational areas in the mixed beech (Fagus orientalis) stands in Nav-e Asalem forests. The quality and bole form of trees were measured and evaluated through systematic plot sampling. The results of the research showed that the abundance of live trees in the selectively logged parcel (268 trees ha-1) and recreational parcel (210 trees ha-1) was lower than that in the protected parcel (389 trees ha-1). The abundance of beech, maple (Acer cappadocicum), and alder (Alnus glutinosa) species in the selectively logged parcel, and the abundance of beech and alder species in the recreational parcel were significantly higher than their abundances in the protected parcel. The abundance of snags in the protected, selectively logged, and recreational parcels was 18, 9, and 8.4 stems ha-1, respectively. The average abundance of stem deformity in the protected, selectively logged, and recreational parcels was 18.3, 9.4, and 8.4 stems ha-1, respectively. Logging operations, although increased the frequency of leaning and bending stems, decreased the frequency of conical and decaying stems. In general, the abundance of high-quality trees and boles in the selectively logged and recreational parcels was higher than in the protected parcel. Regular and long-term monitoring of the quantity, quality, and form of tree trunks may be a good approach to align ecological and economic goals in forest management.