Typology of seedling composition and density in regeneration gaps of Ramsar- Safaroud forest

In this research typology of seedlings composition and density of Fagus orientalis stands in Caspian forests of Iran (Ramsar area), at altitude of 1200-1300 m.a.s.l. within 43 gaps were studied. The gaps were created after marking and cutting the trees. The gaps area varied between 67 and 617 m2. The trial was conducted under the fully randomized design. Based on gap size and homogeneity, 1 to 3 microplots (1m2) were established in each gap. Seedling frequency was counted in each microplot, according to their species and age range (1 and 2-4 years old). The statistical methods of chi-square and ANOVA (analysis of variance) were used to analyze the data. There was no significant difference of seedling frequency and species diversity among the gap sizes. However, the number of the defined seedlings composition and density types were four and six, respectively. Beech showed the highest frequency among the species. The maximum and average densities of beech seedling were 60 and 15 per m2, respectively. 57% of gaps showed a number of 10/m2 with 1 to 4 years old seedlings.