Effects of forest road clearings on understory diversity beneath Alnus subcordata L. stands in Iran

• Main Author: Seyed A. Hosseini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Maejo University 2011-01-01
• Series: Maejo International Journal of Science and Technology
• Subjects: understory diversity; forest road clearing; Alnus subcordata L.
• Online Access: http://www.mijst.mju.ac.th/vol5/241-251.pdf

This study was conducted in Darab Kola forest which is located east of Sari city. After confirming the identity of Alder trees (Alnus subcordata L., Betulaceae) at the edge of forest roads, the cross section geometry was classified into without earth works and with earth works. Road clearing limits were divided into less than 10 metres and 10-15 metres. The understory density and canopy cover underneath Alder stands were measured in 20 micro plots. The diversity of woody and herbaceous plant species was calculated by the Simpson index. The results indicated that the canopy cover at the edge of cross sections without earth works was greater than that of sections with earth works at a probability level of 5%. In both classes, the percentage of Rubus hyrcanus L. canopy cover on filled slopes was more than that on cut slopes, whereas the percentage of canopy cover of this species and of bare soil was similar, as well as the biodiversity indices for both sides of cross sections without earth works.