Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research
Year:2009 | Volume:16 | Issue:4 (34)|Papers Count:17

Although "By Products" is used to refer to those yields (products) that are consisting of Non-Wood forest products (NWFP), it is hoped that the public opinion is not as being valueless rather the meaning of inconsistent with capital investment should be understood. Regarding the importance and economic values of NWFP, by engaging the people throughout the whole procedure harvesting and processing are controlled and regulated, using the right methods, no doubt will lead to a constant and sustained forest. It also creates and maintains an everlasting income for all people which motivate them to preserve the source for their continual income. To realize this, it is important to know and understand the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the sources and its processes. For this purpose, in the forested area of Kamyaran city as a study area, qualitative and quantitative characteristics of NWFP and their different harvesting methods were studied. The forest coverage of this area, 28000 ha, accounted for 11% Kurdistan province forests. Using ethnography method and preparing technical questionnaires and handing and observing in the area while people were collecting and processing the products, over all 16 NWFP products including Persian turpentine gum, hawthorns (wild plum), wild pistachio fruit, almond, sumac, acorn fruit, jujube, damson, wild pear, acorn leaf, wild pistachio leaf, sweetbrier petal, manna of acorn, oleaster, sweetbrier fruit and walnut fruit the local people whom pay the most cost and labor, get the least income while the merchants get the largest part of the income. Some suggestions have been presented.

Five exotic and native poplar clones (two P. euramericana clones, P.d 72.51 and two native species which are traditionally grazed by livestock during summer) were selected for this study. The purposes of this study were to determine chemical composition of poplar leaves. The fresh leaves were collected during first (June 1st) and second (July 25th) growth stages. All samples were dried to determine chemical analyses such as, Nitrogen (N), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL). The results showed that crude protein value varied from 7.9 to 10.5% and crude fiber value varied from 15.2 to 19.8%  at the early growth season; P. x eura. triplo showed higher value than other clones. NDF and ADL varied from 30.9 to 35 % and 22.2 to 25%, respectively. The highest amount of NDF was observed in P.d. 72/51, P.e. triplo and P. euphratica. Cluster analysis of data illustrated three distinct groups in first and middle growth stages.

Amygdalus scoparia is one of the most important shrubs of Zagros forests. This species could be used as a pioneer element to rehabilitate destroyed forests, therefore having knowledge of ecological characteristics of Amygdalus scoparia can help forest managers for a proper application of this species. This research was conducted in Karebas region from Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Firstly, all of the region were surveyed and the sites of Almond were determined in 1:25000 topographic map. Then land unit map were obtained by overlaying altitude, aspect and slope maps. In each work unit, one or two plots (1000m2) were established, overall 58 plots were allocated and site demands, physical and chemical properties of soil and tree quantitative and qualitative characteristics were studied in each plot. Results showed that one of the most important affecting factors in distribution of Almond is geographical aspect, hence this species is appeared in southern aspects. Also altitude is another factor for the presence of Almond; the highest presence of Almond is observed between 1800-1900 m.a.s.l. The highest amount of regeneration of Almond was appeared on southern aspect, 1800-1900 m.a.s.l. and 40-50 % slope. This species is often distributed on alkaline soils with loamy and clay-loamy texture.

A research project was carried out from 2004 to 2006 to survey the dieback causes of Arizona Cupressus trees, in Gadir park, located nine kilometers south of Qom. In this project some quantitative and qualitative properties of the trees were surveyed. The collected data and different information of soil, water and plant were divided into four groups, according to different rate of trees dryness and were analyzed as random complete block by four replication. Results showed that based on ANOVA table, there is a significant difference in trees freshness, Cl, B, Cu and Zn amount (1%) and P, K and Fe (5%) between four groups of trees.  The results of leaf analysis showed that Cl, B and Zn were highest in the trees with less score of survival. Therefore, unsuitable soil and salinity of water were detected the most important causes of Cupressus's dryness in this research. The salinity of water and soil in addition to the aggregation of substances and their absorption with the trees had caused nutritional and physiologic disorders and consequently, the weakness and dryness of trees. The analysis of tree's leaves showed that a large amount of Na and Cl were absorbed by the plants which had caused a toxicity of these elements. There was also a high density of Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu which shows nutritional imbalance due to the salinity. Due to the fact of weakening and intensifying of unfavorable conditions, secondary factors like fungus Nattrassia mangiferae affect the plant and have made faster the process of dryness.

Identification of susceptible areas to landslide occurrence is one of the basic measures in reduction of possible risk and hazard management. The main goals of this paper are investigation on designed forest road network according to landslide hazard zonation and comparing applicability of two experimental landslide hazard zonation models (Haeri-Samiei and Mora-Varson) at the Shastkalate forests, Gorgan. By field work, the occurred land slides at the study area were gathered and recorded by GPS device. The elements for each model were generated and prepared in GIS. The landslide zonation for study area was done using mentioned models and their required factors. The efficiency of outputs of models was assessed by DR and QS indices. The results showed that at the study area the Haeri-Samiei model with QS= 1.251 had relative desirability compared to Mora-Varson model (QS= 0.586). In order to investigate on designed road network, the road network map was prepared. Based on results, using Haeri-Samiei model, situation of roads and rate of being at hazards were determined. Results showed that there are many of roads in high risk zones which should be designed again by forest managers.

This research is aimed to study the seed moisture content (SMC) and its effects on the germination and vigor of Manna oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) acorns. Acorns were collected from Manna oak forest habitat, in Mámásáni, Fars province, and subjected to oven-dry (30 °C) at five treatments: no desiccated (control), 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours for decreasing SMC. The SMC of treatments were obtained 47.4 (fresh weight basis or control sample), 46.7, 42.5, 40.7 and 32.2%, respectively. For measuring of germination, the acorns were placed in germinator at 25 °C and 8-16 hours (radiation-darkness). Results in a 30-day period revealed that germination rate, germination speed, root and shoot lengths, dry mass of root, shoot and plant, and vigor index severely decreased with decreasing SMC. Most of the seed characteristics severely decreased when SMC reduced about 7% (reached 40.7%). When the SMC decreased about 15% (reached 32.2%), germination declined about 77%. The SMC had a negative significant correlation with mean germination time (P < 0.05) and had a positive significant correlation (P < 0.05) with other measured characteristics. The results revealed that germination and vigor index of Manna oak acorns are highly dependent on SMC and have a recalcitrant storage behavior. It is needed to keep the SMC of Manna oak from harvesting date to sowing date.

Thunder and storm fluctuations as consequences of climate change were studied in the Caspian region over the last half century. In this study, whole forest areas in southern part of Caspian sea were monitored by study on vegetation map and field visit. Three points representing the major part of the Hyrcanian forests were selected from wet part in the west to drier part in the east. Four meteorological stations data used for investigation. Most of climatic factors including maximum, minimum and mean annual temperature; daily, monthly and annual precipitations were investigated. Numbers of days with thunder and storm as well as wind speed were used for conclusion. During last half century, as consequence of climate change by means of increasing temperature and changing precipitation trends, number of Days With Thunder and Storms (DWTS) increased in forest area in the Caspian region. In Rasht and Gorgan stations, the number of days with thunder and storm in last half century, especially in last 25 years showed a sharp increase. This is in the same line of increasing mean annual temperature about 1.28°C and minimum temperature about 2.45°C in Rasht station. In addition, it is against the decrease of precipitation for the period of last 53 years in Gorgan station which is about 55.6 mm. Anzali and Baboulsar stations which are under coastal climate condition have a fluctuating trend of DWTS but also showed a mild increase in the trend of DWTS during last fifty years. This is in favor of increasing the mean annual temperature in Baboulsar station in last 54 years, about 1.44°C and its minimum temperature about 1.80°C. Also again, it is against the decrease of annual precipitation in Anzali station during last 54 years of records, which is about 409.4 mm and amount of the decreas of precipitation for the period of last 53 years in Gorgan station is about 55.6 mm.

With the international and national development of sustainable forest management (SFM) for protecting and conserving all forest functions and its biodiversity, also for improving of human wellbeing who related to forest, some criteria and indicators have been present. We used this tools and hierarchical framework, scoring, ranking, and weighting to assess implemented policies at SFM unit. This study has investigated policy, planning of participatory integrated management at Pachat village and adjacent forests. In our study we achieved the principle score (ps) of 0.32 as one of the SFM principles for the studied area. The same process could be introduced for other SFM units to compare the results, in order to find out how close they are to SFM.

Amount and diversity of activities which carried out by the Forest, Range and Watershed Organization (FRWO) in Iran resulted in production and reproduction of huge volume of data from which only a computerized system should extract useful information for management and monitoring purposes of the organization or the general offices. The major weaknesses of the existing paper-based systems of collecting, storing and delivering or dissemination of information in forestry sector of Iran are its inefficiency in retrieval and searching of data and information, inflexible in analysis and processing of the available data and information, difficulty in data and information flow among different levels of the organization that can be pointed out. Therefore, it is felt that there is an urgent need for the forestry sector in Iran to organize its huge mass of information and dissemination activities under a unifying umbrella and work out mechanisms of information exchange and information generation. The information collection and utilization in the forestry sector will fail to support any specific planning and management objectives until the system is not revised. The present research was intended to introduce a computer – based management information system for the provincial General Natural Resource Office (GNRO) of Noo-shahr in particular and the FRWO of Iran in general. Also the possibilities to install such an IFMIS in FRWO were tested using a pilot case-study. After evaluation of information requirements of the organization and its users using document analysis and questioning (interview and questionnaire), the results were used to design a model of forest management information system and database for the General Natural Resource Office of Noo-shahr.

This study was carried out in order to compare the number of produced sprouts in Lebanon oak (Quercus libani Oliv.)  tree after cutting among dbh classes in northern Zagros forests. 3 dbh classes including 25-35, 35-45 and >45 cm were compared in respect of number of produced sprouts. 5 sites in Armardeh forests were selected and results of study analyzed by random complete block design. 3 Lebanon oak trees were cut in each diameter class and in each block. The 45 cut trees were fenced in early spring 2007 individually. Data were collected two times in June and September. Results showed that 35-45 cm dbh class had the most number of sprouts (with 101 and 81 sprouts in June and September, respectively). Number of sprouts in 35-45 cm dbh class was significantly different from others in September, while no significant difference was found in number of sprouts between June and September. Mortality rate of sprout among dbh classes was not significantly different. However, linear regression trend between number of June sprout and died sprouts until September showed that mortality increased when number of June sprout increased. Since sprouting depend on positive and negative effects of stump size, balance point of these effects was introduced as optimum diameter for sprouting, which was between 35-45 cm dbh range in this study. Future investigations should be focused on finding the balance point (or range), more precisely.

In this study, measurements of precipitation, throughfall and stemflow fluxes were conducted from November 2005 through November 2006 within a natural stand of oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) in district 1, Shastkalateh, Hyrcanian forests.Total precipitation in this period was 827.1 mm year-1. A sample of 31 trees was randomly selected. Throughfall and stemflow of each tree were collected after every precipitation. Throughfall and stemflow fluxes represented 40% and 0.3% of the precipitation, implying that interception loss (the difference between precipitation and sum of throughfall and stemflow) was 59.7%. Relation between throughfall, stemflow and interception with precipitation was invistigaited.

In this study, wood extract production and costs were assessed in the planned and unplanned (conventional) logging system. The research was carried out in compartments No. 23 and 25 of second district of Nave-Asalem forest. Work study technique based on IUFRO guideline was used to calculate system hourly production. Based on guideline of Forest, Range and Watershed Organization (FRWO) of Iran, system hourly cost was calculated. Results showed that planning skid trails and landings before tree felling as well as using directional felling technique increased hourly skidder production from 12.72m3 to 18.8m3. Increase of production, reduced the extraction cost from 103015 to 69372 Rials per cubic meter. These extraction costs include landing construction costs in planned harvesting and road maintenance costs in unplanned logging system.

Cryptococcus fagi, the vector of Nectria sp., is one of the most important pests in beech forests which can cause beech bark disease. Because of its dispersion in the most beech forests of the northern Iran it should be taken under consideration. In this study, after forest survey, the infected area in watercatchment 30, district 5 of Safarod/Ramsar region were distinguished and 123 infected individual trees have been demarcated. Some characteristics such as d.b.h, height, infection intensity, structure and forest type have been determined. Results showed that, the most infected trees were categorized in small timber, but the highest infection intensity was observed in large timber trees. Also the pest high abundance can be seen in the small timber with regular structure. On the other hand, the stands with less stem density have been appropriated for most infection. The pure beech stands were more infected compare to mix stands. The pest abundance rate was higher in north and north-west directions. According to the results, although the disease symptoms are being observed, but no sever disease is recognized yet. As a matter of fact, it can be concluded that the pests are in their primary attack stage which could be controlled easily in this stage.