Northern Forests Of Iran Research Articles

Planning road networks in landslide-prone areas: A case study from the northern forests of Iran

Road development in mountainous forestlands can lead to naturally formed slopes being disturbed. Efficient planning methodologies can assist forest engineers in either preventing or reducing the environmental impacts of forest roads. In this study, we first prepared an inclusive landslide susceptibility map for our study area using a Bayesian model. We next designed 12 road network alternatives using PEGGER, an ArcView GIS extension. We extracted the values of these alternatives from the susceptibility map to evaluate their environmental feasibility. We also evaluated the alternatives from an economic perspective using a model for conducting cost estimates of the forest roads. Our results show that this approach is useful for identifying the alternative that meets environmental and economic goals. The policy implications of this study suggest that if the development of road networks in mountainous areas is an important forestry goal, mechanisms should be aimed primarily at controlling slope instability.

The query of suitable areas for plantation and development of Taxus baccata L species by using GIS in northern Iran.

Taxus baccata is a native species to the Caspian forests and is considered as the identification of these forests by some resources. The aim of this study was to understand the ecological characteristics of T. baccata in order to find suitable areas for its plantation in the Pone Aram preserve of Golestan province. Therefore, Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) methods based on Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) were used. In this process at first the needed and effective natural indexes were used as 10 parameters. Then the final map of suitable areas for T. baccata plantation were produced based on Bolian and MCE models. According to the results, in Bolian method about 6218 ha of the total area of the study site (30554 ha) were estimated as suitable and semi suitable and 24336 ha were estimated as unsuitable for MCE model showed that about 2482 ha of the whole 30554 ha area of the study site is adequate for T. baccata plantation and 6181 ha is not adequate for T. baccata plantation. Regarding the results of the MCE and Bolian methods it has been concluded that for dynamic ecological parameters in delineation of suitable areas for T. baccata plantation the MCE weighting is more appropriate than Bolian. Using the results of this investigation it is possible to adequate areas for the presence of T. baccata and to execute a plan in order to facilitate the plantation of T. baccata in northern forests of Iran (watershed 88).

Faunistic survey of the family Dolichopodidae in forests of northern Iran with nine species as new records for the country

In order to study the family Dolichopodidae, a survey was conducted in forests of northern Iran. Materials were collected during the study period 2010–2011 using Malaise traps. Twenty-five species belonging to eight genera were recorded, nine species of which, namely, Gymnopternus assimilis (Staeger, 1842), G. blankaartensis Pollet, 1991, Hercostomus convergens (Loew, 1857), Medetera flavipes Meigen, 1824, M. micacea Loew, 1857, M. muralis Meigen, 1824, M. seguyi Parent, 1926, M. truncorum Meigen, 1824 and Rhaphium fascipes (Meigen, 1824) were recorded in Iran for the first time. Diagnostic characters and the distribution of the species studied as well as photos of the newly recorded species are presented.

Modelling of forest road sediment in the northern forest of Iran (Lomir Watershed)

Forest roads are the most important ways of access; nevertheless, they are the main source of sediment production. The delivered sediment by forest roads causes environmental problems and pollution of water resources. This study has been done to present a model for estimating the sediment yield of forest road using a multiple regression analysis on the Caspian southern coasts (north of Iran, Lomir watershed). For this purpose, 45 wood dams were created and their sediment volume (dependent variable) was measured. The following independent variables were estimated: road length, road width, road slope, vegetation cover, height of cut slope and road age. Then, a regression analysis was done using SPSS software to present a linear model. In the next step, the accuracy and capability of the presented model were considered and validated using the model for estimating the wood dam sediment. The results showed that road length and road width have significant effects in sediment generation. Also, the presented model can estimate the forest road sediment in northern Iran.  

First record of the genus Acanthomastix Mahunka, 1972 (Acari: Dolichocybidae) from Asia, with the description of a new species

The mite Acanthomastix derivatus Katlav & Hajiqanbar sp. nov. (Acari: Prostigmata: Dolichocybidae) is described and illustrated based on females recovered from under elytra of two subcortical beetles, Uloma culinaris (L., 1758) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Prostomis sp. (Coleoptera: Prostomidae), which both were collected from decaying stumps in the forests of northern Iran. This finding presents the first record of the genus Acanthomastix from Asia. Furthermore, it is the first record of association between mites of this genus and beetles of the superfamily Tenebrionoidea and also first record of phoretic association between dolichocybid mites and beetles of the family Prostomidae Thomson, 1859 (Tenebrionoidea). A key to world species of the genus Acanthomastix is provided and the distribution and host affiliation of all representatives of this genus are discussed.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A226E674-601B-4BA6-A170-737405A23EBF

Analytical hierarchy process to choose the best earthwork machine in northern forests of Iran

This study attempts to use the analytical hierarchy process to choose the most appropriate earthwork machine for slope classes of 30–50% and 50–70%. Required data were collected by pairwise comparison as questionnaires filled by experts of forest engineering. Results showed that cross-sections and grade line (Technical criteria), soil excavation and displacement (Environmental criteria), production rate and multi-application (Operational criteria), production cost (Economic criteria) with the respective weights of  0.345, 0.345, 0.136, 0.058, 0.058 and 0.058 were the most important criteria for choosing the earthwork machines in the slope class of 30–50%. These coefficients for the slope class of 50–70% were 0.329, 0.329, 0.174, 0.056, 0.056 and 0.056, respectively. Overall priority of bulldozer in slope classes of 30–50% and 50–70% was 0.51 and 0.48, respectively. Therefore, in slope class of 30–50% bulldozer and in slope class of 50–70% hydraulic excavator must be selected for earthwork operation.

Effect of thinning on growth of Acer velutinum Boiss. in northern forests of Iran

It has become necessary to develop stands of fast growing endemic species in the Caspian forests because of their reduction in area and the domestic demand of timber processing industries in Iran. Acer velutinum, an endemic species in Iran, is often planted in monocultures or in a mixture with other endemic species. Our study was conducted on A. velutinum planted in Berenjestanak (control plots) and Chaibagh (thinned plots) in northern Iran in 1991. A randomized sampling method with circular sampling plots of 100 m2 was used to measure diameter and height of trees. The results show that the diameter of trees in thinned stands was 19.98 cm and in the control stands 13.84 cm, while the mean heights were 18.33 and 17.46 m, respectively. The mean basal area in thinned stands was 30.74 m2 and in the control 15.70 m2 per ha. The results of Student’s t tests indicate that there are significant differences at a probability level of 99.9% between the two variously treated stands in diameter (d), height (h), basal area, volume growth and the stability coefficient. We conclude that tending operations with suitable intensity in different time periods are recommended to obtain stable stands.

Comparison of the production performance of rubber-tired skidder in three different sites according to sea level height (low height, middle height, high height)

Advice from forest machines performance under different site conditions can be the base of accurate scheduling and increasing of machine usage. Skidder Timberjack 450c is most common machines in northern forests of Iran. Three different forest sites in low height, middle height and high height were selected to compare the hourly production performance of this skidder. The elements of skidding cycle was determined and then 48, 40 and 55 skidding cycle was studied using continues time study method. After data analysis the mathematical model was obtained to predict the skidding time in each site. This model in low height was the function of skidding distance, route slope, volume and number of timber. In middle height was the function of skidding distance, volume and number of timber and in high height was the function of skidding distance, route slope, winching length and slope. The mean number of timber decreased from low height to high height in each cycle and the mean volume of timber increased. The hourly production (with calculation of pure time) was 6.57 m 3 /h in low height, 8.42 m3/h in middle height and 9.57 m3/h in high height. The hourly production of this skidder in different sites with different elevation at sea level was significantly different.

Leaf Blight of Buxus sempervirens in Northern Forests of Iran Caused by Calonectria pseudonaviculata.

Buxus sempervirens subsp. hyrcana (Pojark.) Takht. (boxwood) is an evergreen shrub/tree in Caspian hyrcanian forests covering the Alborz mountain range of northern Iran. During the summer of 2012, a sudden leaf and twig blight disease of boxwood was observed throughout the northern forests of Iran. Disease symptoms included circular dark spots on leaves leading to defoliation, and longitudinal brown-black streaks on the shoots. Diseased plant material was collected from the Guilan and Mazandaran areas, placed in moist chambers, and incubated at 20°C to induce sporulation. Single conidia were plated onto half-strength potato dextrose agar supplemented with 250 mg/L streptomycin and incubated at 25°C under near-ultraviolet light. Isolates were transferred to carnation leaf agar and incubated at 25°C under near-ultraviolet for morphological characterization, and representative isolates were deposited into the culture collection of the CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre under accession numbers CBS 134431 and CBS 134432. Gross morphological characters were determined by mounting fungal structures in lactic acid and 50 measurements at 1,000× magnification were made for all taxonomically informative characters. The observed macroconidiophores consisted of a stipe bearing a penicillate suite of reproductive branches and a stipe extension, terminating in a naviculate vesicle. The stipe extensions were septate, hyaline (85 to 160 × 2 to 4 μm), terminating in a naviculate vesicle, 6 to 11 μm in diam. Conidia were cylindrical, rounded at both ends, straight, with one septum (55 to 68 × 4 to 6 μm). These morphological observations agreed to those provided for C. pseudonaviculata Lombard, M. J. Wingf. & Crous (1,2). To confirm morphological identification, DNA sequence data were generated for the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of the rDNA, and a fragment of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene region (3). These sequences were compared to other sequences of C. pseudonaviculata in GenBank (100% similarity for both loci), which confirmed the morphological observations. Sequences were submitted to GenBank under the accession numbers KC736850 and KC736851 for ITS, and KC736852 and KC736853 for TEF. Koch's postulates were proven by spraying a 3 × 106 conidia/ml conidial suspension of isolate CBS 134431 onto 1-year-old B. sempervirens subsp. hyrcana plants until run-off, and covering them for 24 h with a plastic bag to maintain high humidity. Control plants were sprayed with sterile water. Ten plants were used for each treatment and maintained in a greenhouse at 20 to 22°C with 95% relative humidity. Symptoms similar to those observed in nature developed within 4 days of inoculation and the test fungus was successfully reisolated from the inoculated plants. No symptoms were observed on the control plants. Boxwood blight caused by C. pseudonaviculata, was first reported in the United Kingdom in the mid-1990s and has since become widespread, causing epidemics globally (1,2,4). To our knowledge, this study represents the first report of boxwood blight in its native environment and in Iran.

INVESTIGATING SILVICULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF YEW (TAXUS BACCATA L.) STAND USING FULL-CALLIPERING IN NORTHERN FORESTS OF IRAN

In this research, some of site and silvicultural characteristics of Yew stand in northern forests of Iran was studied. For this purpose, compartment number 16 of district 4 Shir-ghalaye was selected. According to research purposes, stands with an area of 20 ha were chosen in center of the compartment and was separated from map. Due to restricted area of region and according to few number of Yew trees in the stand, the full-callipering method was conducted for measuring quantitative and qualitative characteristics. In the stand diameter at breast height (D.B.H.), height and canopy diameter of all Yew trees were measured. The results showed that the diameter distribution curve and height distribution curve of Yew trees were similar to even-age forests curve. But according to average annual increment, mixture type of Yew trees in stand, diameter distribution of other species and low rate regeneration of Yew, it can be concluded that the studied Yew stand, is an uneven-age stand and because of low rate regeneration in previous years the number of young Yew trees were reduced and even-age forest curve was formed subsequently. The maximum height and diameter of Yew trees were recorded 26.8 m and 112 cm, respectively. Also, the number of trees per hectare and basal area per hectare of Yew trees were calculated 14.55 and 3.23 m2 respectively.

Pollen–vegetation relationships in the central Caspian (Hyrcanian) forests of northern Iran

We studied pollen–vegetation relationships along an altitudinal transect in the Caspian (Hyrcanian) forests of northern Iran. We collected surface samples from 20 plots of 400 or 625m2 in the major forest communities and compared pollen percentages of the most abundant plant taxa with the vegetation abundances (cover and basal areas) in the pollen plots and in areas of different radii (100, 250, 500 and 1000m) around the pollen plots using both linear regression and qualitative methods. The results show that anemophilous taxa (i.e. Quercus, Fagus, and Carpinus) in general produce more pollen relative to entomophilous taxa (i.e. Acer, Parrotia, Diospyros, and Hedera). Taxa with light pollen grains, such as Quercus and Carpinus, show large positive intercepts in linear regression analysis, while heavier pollen grains or those possessing a patterned exine, such as Diospyros, Parrotia, Acer, and Hedera show small or even negative intercepts. Larger intercepts indicate that a higher proportion of pollen in the samples arrives from outside the area covered by the vegetation analysis. Our findings indicate that light pollen grains are deposited more slowly than heavy pollen grains. Dissimilarity matrices using the Bray–Curtis index showed that the overall relationship between species composition of vegetation plots and pollen assemblages is better for the areas with 100m radius than for the pollen plots.

The effects of Rubus hyrcanus L. and Philonotis marchica (Hedw.) Brid. on soil loss prevention from cutslopes of a forest road

The effects of Rubus hyrcanus L. and Philonotis marchica (Hedw.) Bridon on runoff generation and soil loss from cutslopes of forest roads were investigated. The study was conducted at the northern forest of Iran, about 30 km south of the city of Sari. Runoff and sedimentation after each rainfall simulation and chemical and physical soil properties were measured in 14 plots with an area of 0.48 m<sup>2</sup>. The obtained results indicate that the vegetation dominated by Philonotis marchica exhibited the higher runoff coefficient and soil loss, with averages of 27.25% and 92.40 g·m<sup>–2</sup>·h<sup>–1</sup>(gram per square meter per hour), respectively, in comparison to Rubus hyrcanus. For Philonotis marchica (Hedw.) Brid. the sediment concentration increased quickly at the beginning of rainfall simulations and after 10–12 min there was a fast decrease in sediment concentration. The peak of sediment concentration was for the Rubus hyrcanus L. in the 13<sup>th</sup>–15<sup>th</sup> min In conclusion, Rubus hyrcanus L. prevented or decreased the risk of runoff and soil loss from cutslopes of forest roads in our study area.  

Calibration of a portable single nozzle rainfall simulator for soil erodibility study in hyrcanian forests

A portable rainfall simulator must be calibrated before its application in field experiments. In order to calibrate a portable single nozzle rainfall simulator for a soil erodibility study in Afra Chal site in northern forests of Iran, the following rainfall parameters were assessed; rainfall Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF), kinetic energy, drop size and coefficient of uniformity. The results obtained show that for a given return period, the IDF curves decreased with increasing time interval. The velocity of raindrops with an average diameter of 3 mm was 780 cm/s. The simulated rainfall with intensity 32.4 mm/h had kinetic energy at the rate of 25.06 Jm-2mm-1. A rain event with this intensity occurs every 20 years for 20 min in the Afra Chal site and it was randomly selected for calibrating the simulator. Rainfall uniformities that was estimated by the coefficient of uniformity, fell within acceptable limit of 81 to 82%. Key words: Rainfall simulator, drop size, kinetic energy, coefficient of uniformity, intensity-duration-frequency.

Description of a new species of the rare genus Epacrolaimus Andrássy, 2000 (Dorylaimida, Aporcelaimidae) and new data on male of Paraxonchium laetificans (Andrássy, 1956) Altherr & Loof, 1969 (Dorylaimida, Paraxonchiidae) from Iran

Epacrolaimus reyesi n. sp., an amphimictic species of a rare nematode genus, is described and illustrated. The new species ischaracterised by its long body (7.23–7.87 mm), 32 µm wide lip region, with well developed and distinct lips and liplets pro-vided with longitudinal corrugation on their inner surface; 19–22 µm long odontostyle with a wide, arched aperture occupyingca 85% of its length; 45–56 µm long odontophore; 55–67 µm long rounded tail, nine regularly spaced ventromedian supple-ments in males and 135–145 µm long spicules. The new species is compared with two other known species of the genus,namely E. declinatoaculeatus (Kreis, 1924) Andrássy, 2000 and E. imperator Andrássy, 2000. Compared to the former, thenew species has a rounded tail in females vs bluntly conoid, rounded on tip or with a minute peg, shorter tail (55–67 vs 63–75µm) shorter spicules (135–145 vs 215 µm) and fewer male copulatory supplements (9 vs 12). Compared to the latter species, E.reyesi n. sp. is wider at the midbody region (172–178 vs 156–160 µm), and has a shorter tail (55–67 vs 84 µm in females and58–65 vs 70–86 µm in males), shorter spicules (135–145 vs 202–210 µm) and fewer male copulatory supplements (9 vs 14–16).From both species the new species differs by having a rounded tail vs convex-conoid or slightly subdigitate. Beside the newspecies, a population of Paraxonchium laetificans (Andrássy, 1956) Altherr & Loof, 1969 with relatively numerous males wasfound from forests of northern Iran. The male of this species, which had not been found in Iran so far and had been described on two specimens only, is described and illustrated in detail.

An analysis of vegetation indices in relation to tree species diversity using by satellite data in the northern forests of Iran

Vegetation indices have been introduced for analyzing and assessing the status of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of vegetation using satellite images. However, choosing the best indices to be used in forest biodiversity and vegetation is one of the important problems faced by the users. The purpose of this research is to evaluate six vegetation indices in the analysis of tree species diversity in the northern forests of Iran. The present research uses LISS III sensor data from IRS-P6 satellite. Geometric rectification of images was performed using ground control points, and Chavez model was used for atmospheric correction of the data. The six spectral vegetation indices included NDVI, IPVI, Ashburn Vegetation Index (AVI), TVI, TTVI, and RVI. Shannon–Wiener species diversity index was used to analyze diversity, and the value of the index was calculated in each sample plot. Then, the spectral values of each sample plot were extracted from different bands. The best subset regression was used to analyze the relationship between species diversity and the related bands. The results obtained from the regression showed that polynomial equations under scrutiny as independent variables can assess tree and shrub species diversity better than other bands and compounds used (R 2 = 0.47). The obtained results also indicated a higher capacity in the case of the AVI index for estimating tree species diversity in the under study area.

COMPARISON OF FOUR GEOGRAPHICALLY DIVERSE NATURAL POPULATIONS OF PERSIAN WALNUT (JUGLANS REGIA L.) IN NORTH OF IRAN

Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) is thought to have originated in the mountainous regions of Central Asia, including the forests of northern Iran. Remaining wild stands of this genetic resource are located within diverse associated communities of plant species. To study the tree species associated with the natural walnut populations of the northern forests of Iran, four distinct geographical populations located at Astara (38°19' N and 48°44'), Roudsar (36°55.5' N and 50°16'), Takke Kamar (36°47.5' N and 55°5') and Ali Abad (36°50.7' N and 55°7') were studied. The populations found in the western region, the Hyrcanian forest, were larger than those farther east, but eastern populations were less disturbed and found in more purely wild stands. In the Astara region, the dominant plant community was Parrotia-Carpinetum and the dominant plant species were Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaerth, Alnus subcordata C.A. Mey, Diospyrus lotus L. and Juglans regia L. The stand was even aged and the largest DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) was 91 cm. The tallest tree had a height of 26 m. In the Ali Abad region, the plant community was Querco-Carpinetum and the dominant plant species were Carpinus betulus L., Ulmus glabra Huds and Tilia platyphyllos Scop. subsp. Caucasica. The stand was even aged, the largest DBH was 131 cm, and the tallest tree was 42 m in height.

Delphi technique for generating criteria and indicators in monitoring ecotourism sustainability in Northern forests of Iran: Case study on Dohezar and Sehezar Watersheds

Ecotourism is widely accepted as the most effective type of sustainable development. For monitoring ecotourism sustainability in the Northern forest of Iran, a study was designed to help identifying criteria and indicators (C&I) with the principle goal to ensure the objectives of forest management, and at the same time – maintain processes in a sustainable manner. Indicators act as an instrument which can be used for monitoring sustainability. Hence indicators should be multidisciplinary, and cover all aspect of social, ecological, cultural, economic and institutional factors affecting sustainability of ecotourism. In this study, C&I were identified by using the Delphi approach through multidisciplinary panel team. Three rounds of meetings were held for discussions and dissemination of research to a panel of local experts. At the end of the second round we reached a consensus on 9 criteria and 61 indicators, which include 21 indicators related to ecological aspects, 8 to economic aspects, 21 to social aspects, 6 to cultural aspects and 5 to institutional aspects. The selected indicators would be applied by the Iranian Cultural, Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization for monitoring ecotourism sustainability in the Northern forest of Iran.

Investigation the importance and trends of forest yield production considering economical and environmental objectives

The transformation of forest products from forest-logged products (lumber etc.) into logs will reduce the pressure on the northern forests of Iran in addition to improving the forest product's values. In order to investigate the altering trend of the woody products yielded from the northern forests of Iran, the statistics concerning the production rate of each of the products (i.e. logs, lumber, bolts, traverse, pole wood and charcoal) were prepared. To give a comparison on the product's variation trend, the data were converted into the percent of total annual wood production. The results showed that logs, bolts, and fuel woods have had an increasing trend while lumber, charcoal, and traverses followed a declining way. Meanwhile, pole wood's trend showed to be constant during the time. The increase in logs and fuel wood along with the decrease in lumber and traverse can be mainly attributed to the reasons including the recent improvement of forest road construction over the region, the application of powerful forest harvest machine, the alteration in wood consumption pattern in northern country, the changes in the general wood application, increasing the use of oil fuels, enrichment of the technological capabilities, and higher values of logs.

Flammulina Velutipes (Curt.: Fr.) Singer: An Edible Mushroom in Northern Forest of Iran and its Antagonistic Activity Against Selected Plant Pathogenic Fungi

Flammulina velutipes is known as edible and medicinal mushroom. The fungus grow on living treesof Zelkova carpinifolia and dead trees of Diospyros lotus (Stand and fallen) in Behshar forest area. These plantswere found as new hosts for F. velutipes. In vitro antagonistic activity of this mushroom against Bipolarissorokiniana, Ophiostoma ulmi, Pestalotiopsis funerea, Fusarium culmurum, and Fusarium oxysporum wasevaluated on MEA as dual culture. Colonies of the fungus were white farinaceous and powdery on MEA, laterturns yellow. Daily growth of colony was measured 5.36mm on MEA at 25 oC. Growth coefficient was indicated36.64 and 90 mm Petriplate was covered up to 15 days after plating. The strongest and poorest antagonisticindex have been seen against Ophiostoma ulmi and Bipolaris sorokiniana, respectively.

An antidiabetic compound from Vaccinium arctostaphylos berries

Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. (Ericaceae) is a compact shrub up to 3m in height which grows wildly in the northern forests of Iran. Its berries are edible cherry and are used as an antidiabetic agent in Traditional Iranian Medicine. The present study deals with the bioassay guided fractionation of V. arctostaphylos berry extract and in vitro α-amylase enzyme inhibition assay of the extract and fractions for their antidiabetic activities. The crude extract showed a suitable dose-dependent inhibitory effect against α-amylase activity [IC50=1.91 (1.89–1.94)mg/mL]. The activity guided fractionation of the extract led to the isolation and purification of an anthocyanin from it. The compound was identified as malvidin-3-O-β-glucoside by determination of its hydrolytic and spectral data. The compound demonstrated a suitable dose-dependent enzyme inhibitory activity [IC50=0.16 (0.16–0.17)mg/mL].