Effect of performed operations management on the amount of sediment production in natural forests

Abstract

The present study on the sediment production in natural forests was carried out on an 13,284 ha area, located in Guilan Province, in the north of Iran. This area is under intensive management. We first analyzed the physical factors of the area. Then, the amount of road construction, afforestation and harvested wood volume, as well as the harvesting method in the region were determined for the years between 1993 and 2010. The results show that the average annual amount of sediment production in the entire region, over this 18-year period, has increased annually at a rate of 3.54 t·km−2 (R2 = 0.56) at a confidence level of 95%. Operations management and management methods used in this forest area has affected the amount of sediment production. Clear cutting and extensive harvesting methods in the region caused an increase in the amount of sediment production, as indicated by a coefficient of determination of 0.71, implying that forest management may be considered effective and in harmony with the environment.