Effects of forest roads on vegetation biodiversity and soil characteristics in Hyrcanian forests

Abstract

As one of the main components of forest operations and sustainable management, forest roads affect the vegetation communities around the road. In this study, the effects of the edge of forest roads were investigated to understand the changes caused by the network of forest roads on the Hyrcanian forest ecosystem in northern Iran. In order to investigate the impact of forest roads on the biodiversity of herbaceous species, tree regeneration and lichen, sampling was used at different distances from the road in two controlled and harvested areas. The effects of roads on vegetation diversity in relation to soil characteristics were also investigated. The results showed that harvesting caused the destruction and reduction of tree, herbaceous and lichen regeneration, but the physical and chemical properties of the soil were not affected. The distance from the road has affected the diversity and richness of herbaceous and lichen, tree regeneration and all physical and chemical characteristics of the soil (except C). There was a significant correlation between most of the physical and chemical properties of the soil with the regeneration of trees and herbaceous species. Also, most of the physical and chemical properties of soil have increased with increasing distance from the road. Results showed that the buffering effect of the roadside in these forests up to a distance of 45 m had an effect on diversity and richness. Also, the results of this study are consistent with the fact that the road affects the biodiversity and properties of the forest soil.