Investigation and comparison of two protected and non-protected forest stands regeneration diversity in Arasbaran

In this research, regeneration diversity of species in protected and non-protected areas of Arasbaran forests were compared in species richness, evenness and diversity indices. First, two forest stands with similar floristic and physiognomic characteristics were selected using aerial photographs acquired in 1986 (1:20000 scale). Regeneration of tree species were recorded in 77 0.01 ha circle plots using 250 × 250 m grid size in the both protected and non protected areas. The mean of diversity indices were computed in both areas and t-test was used to show significant differences. The results indicated that the computed species diversity indices are as follows: mean species richness index: 6.69 and 5.39, Shannon evenness index: 0.87 and 0.76,Shannondiversity index: 1.64 and 1.23, simpson index: 0.76 and 0.61 in protected and non protected areas, respectively. So the protection increase regeneration diversity in Arasbaran forest stands. Therefore, prevention of livestock grazing and irregular tree cutting in the degraded forest stands can be suggested as a suitable approach for natural restoration and increasing plant diversity.