Abstract
Aim of study: The objective of this study was to compare the quantity and quality of TF (throughfall) in an indigenous, but degraded, stand of Fagus orientalis and Picea abies plantation.Area of study: Forests of Kelar-Dasht region located in Mazandaran province, northern Iran.Material and Methods: TF measured by twenty collectors that were distributed randomly underneath each stand. For 21 storms sampled in 2012 (August-December) and 2013 (April-June), we analyzed pH, EC, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NO3-, and P of gross rainfall (GR) and TF.Main results: Cumulative interception (I) for F. orientalis and P. abies were 114.2 mm and 194.8 mm of the total GR, respectively. The amount of K+ (13.4 mg L-1) and Ca2+ (0.9 mg L-1) were higher (for both elements, p = 0.001) in the TF of P. abies compared to those of F. orientalis (6.8 and 0.5, mg L-1, respectively) and GR (3.2 and 0.37 mg L-1, respectively). Conversely, mean P concentration was doubled (p = 0.022) in the TF of F. orientalis (11.1 mg L-1) compared to GR (5.8 mg L-1).Research highlights: P. abies plantations may provide a solution for reforestation of degraded F. orientalis forests of northern Iran, yet how P. abies plantations differentially affect the quality and quantity of rainfall reaching subcanopy soils (TF) compared to F. orientalis is unknown. Understanding the connection between hydrological processes and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems is crucial for choosing the appropriate species to rehabilitate the degraded indigenous forests with nonindigenous species. Keywords: concentration; hydrological process; interception; reforestation.
Highlights
The Caspian forest ecosystem of Iran is considered one of the last remnants of indigenous deciduous forests in the world
The cumulative I for F. orientalis and P. abies were 114.2 mm corresponding to 30 % and 194.8 mm corresponding to 51.2 % of the total gross rainfall (GR), respectively
The cations, i.e., Ca2+, K+, and P concentrations in rainfall increased as rainfall passed through the forest canopies (Fig. 5).The concentration of Ca2+ was significantly higher in P. abies than F. orientalis stand and GR relating possible to the exchange of cations between the crown and the rain (Tukey, 1970)
Summary
The Caspian forest ecosystem of Iran is considered one of the last remnants of indigenous deciduous forests in the world. In Iran, the Caspian forests are located on the “green strip” extending over the Northern slopes of the Alborz mountains range and Southern coasts of the Caspian Sea. In Iran, the Caspian forests are located on the “green strip” extending over the Northern slopes of the Alborz mountains range and Southern coasts of the Caspian Sea This zone has a total area of 1.84 million ha, comprising 15% of the total Iranian forests and 1.1% of the country’s area. These forests range elevationally from sea level to 2800 m, encompassing a variety of forest types (Haghdoost et al, 2011). Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) originated from Yugoslavia as one of the most popular, fast-growing, nonindigenous species for reforesting degraded beech forests, owing to P. abies’ wider ecological adaptation in comparison to other native hardwoods (Yousefi et al, 2013)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
