Study on Structure and Plant Species Diversity in the Box Tree (Buxus hyrcana Pojark) Sites, East of Guilan, Iran

Hassan Poorbabaei, Mohammad Fakhari Rad

Abstract


The box tree is an evergreen species, valuable in view of biodiversity, conservation and also as a threatened speciesin the northern forests of Iran. Therefore, it is very crucial to characterize structure and plant species diversity tomore effective conservation of this species. The study was carried out in the Anjilbon and Radarposhteh sites,eastern Guilan. The tree, tree regeneration and herbaceous species were sampled using random-systematic method.Litter depth was also measured in each site. To study structure, number of box trees per hectare and their heightcurves were plotted. The average diameter at breast height, the mean number and basal area per hectare of box treewere obtained. Plant species diversity in three layers was calculated using diversity indices and evenness wasobtained using Smith and Wilson’s index. Results revealed that the mean number of box tree per hectare and litterdepth in the Anjilbon were higher than the Radarposhteh site, while the mean diameter, height and basal area perhectare in the Anjilbon were lower than the Radarposhteh site. Mean diversity and evenness of tree species in theAnjilbon were higher than the Radarposhteh site, whereas tree richness in the Radarposhteh was higher than theAnjilbon site. Also, the mean diversity, evenness and richness of tree regeneration in the Anjilbon were higher thanthe Radarposhteh site. The mean diversity and richness of herbaceous layer in the Anjilbon were lower than theRadarposhteh, whereas the average evenness in the Anjilbon was higher than the Radarposhteh.

Keywords


Buxus hyrcana, Structure, Diversity indices, Litter, Eastern Guilan

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