RESEARCH JOURNAL OF FOREST SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Year:2011 | Volume:1 | Issue:1|Papers Count:7

This research attempts to find the best sites for ecotourism development with ecosystem and ecological approach to landscape. For this purpose, the case study is evaluated by each approach. After data collecting, quantity and quality criteria of the case study zone is quantified and become dimensionless and thereafter limitation layers based on Boolean logic are applied to the map and each approach. Regarding consistency matrices and acceptable errors and using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) principles and aggregative support system, criteria weights in every approach are figured out. Finally, using simple additive weighting (SAW) method; criteria are weighted in each approach. For ecotourism development, the worked out results are sorted in four groups from high preference to low and then consequences are represented in one complex map and matrix. The complex map outcomes are confirmed by matrix diameter selection which is recommended in every ecotourism development approach. The results of this research show 4985.12 hec appropriate areas out of 54872.3 for ecotourism development. In each approach, the most overlap is in the lowest preference.

The main aim of the present research was to measure rainfall interception loss (I) and throughfall (TF) and changes in the seasonal distribution of rainfall interception by individual trees of Pinus eldarica planted in the arid climate zone of Iran. The selected trees were located inside a forest plantation at Semnan province, where mean annual precipitation, and air temperature are 127 mm and 16oC, respectively. The gross rainfall (GR) was measured by the mean of three hand-made collectors placed in an open area neighboring to the chosen trees. Eight throughfall (TF) collectors were positioned beneath the tree canopies to average into TF mean per species. Measurements were made on a rainfall event basis in a year, from March 2009 to March 2010. Averaged over all 26 events during the one year measurements, I depth was 44.8 mm (44.5% from GR). Classification of rainfall during different seasons showed that the highest rainfall frequency was observed in the spring season within the class of 0-2 mm. Also, all rainfall occurred during the autumn season were related to classes 0-2 and 2-4 mm.

Measurements of stemflow (SF) were conducted during the 2009 summer season in a pure and natural oak (Quercus castaneifolia C.A.M) forest located in the Kheyrud Forest Research Station of Tehran University. Measurements were made inside a plot of oak forests with area of, 0.12 ha. SF was collected from nine oak trees with different diameters by the spiral-type SF collection collars installed at diameter at breast height. Gross rainfall (GR) was collected by means of three manual collectors placed in a neighboring open area from the study plot. All the measurements were performed on a rainfall event basis. During the study period 13 events were recorded with cumulative GR of 297 mm. The cumulative SF depth for oak forest was 0.78 mm. At the event scale, the averages intercepted rainfall by the stemflow in oak forest, i.e. SF:GR, were 0.26%. A weak positive correlation was observed between SF:GR and GR (r2=0.51). Average bark roughness coefficient calculated by the number of bark furrows and furrows depths was 2.10. This study indicated that GR allocated to SF is not a remarkable amount in the oak forest. SF:GR was found to be highly correlated with bark water storage capacity as well as bark roughness of the oak trees.

One of the important aspects of plant ecological is spatial pattern that is necessary and preliminary to know it, in each zone. The current research on Wild cherry was in Pajim Forest, Behshahr. To detect the spatial pattern, Mean Square method was employed. First the location of Wild cherry with diameter at breast height (D.B.H) more than 10cm were recorded, and then transferred into computer. As a result, the spatial pattern of Wild Cherry is between random and clumped. Wild cherry is a demand species in plant community. This pattern is related to the site condition, environmental, physiographic zone and ecological requirement of wild cherry.

In forest ecosystem nutrient cycling is a constant process that is done in different stages. Biological parts of this process is started with suction of nutrients from soil by trees and it's continues until litter fall and litter decomposition. Based on field visit, DEM (digital elevation model) and independent samples T test this was done in parrotia persica, Buxus hyrcana stands in Patom District of Kheyroud forest. The nutrients level such as carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Calcium, magnesium and Potassium and some physic- chemical soil characteristics were identified.Results indicated that nutrients amounts except P & Ca, in leaves, have significant differences between this two species (p<0.05). and in soil sample analysis results show significant differences between samples. Totally we can say Buxus hyrcana leaves, because of having more nitrogen than Parrotia persica, are decomposed sooner and nutrient cycling is done more rapidly in Buxus hyrcana stands.

Seedling production at nursery sites, accomplished by afforestation and reforestation is one of the major strategies for sustaining, rehabilitation, and developing forest ecosystem. On the other hand, the high costs of nursery production, reforestation or rehabilitation of Gray mangrove (Avicennia marina) suggest, preparing and manipulating a concise, comprehensive, management plan ecologically, for this valuable species. The research was conducted on tidal nursery with natural habitat of Gray mangrove at Male Gonze village and on a man- made nursery located at Bardekhoon which is far from Male Gonze. The experiment is evaluate the spatial (natural tidal nursery and man- made nursery far from the natural habitat) and temporal (2007/9/23 and 2007/10/7) effects on vegetative characteristics of Gray mangrove seedling. The vegetative characteristics of interest are: height, diameter, leaf density and leaf area, stem fresh weight, root fresh weight, stem and root dry weight and survival. To investigate the physico-chemical properties are taken and are analyses to determine: Soil acidity, Salinity, percent organic matter, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sand, Silt and Clay percent. Result indicated a statistically significant difference between Spatial and temporal factors for planting. The most favorable condition for Gray mangrove nursery would be the natural tidal habitats. The first planting time is dominated over the second one.

The main objective of this research is to determine recreation value of Nour forest and measure willingness to pay (WTP) in Mazandaran Province. Logit model, contingent valuation method (CVM) and maximum likelihood methods were used for calculating this valuation. Used data were collected by filling 600 questionnaires from this place visitor. The results showed that 81.2% of respondents were ready to pay for recreation in Nour forest and the mean of WTP for recreation value of Nour forest calculated 2950 Rial/ person and 14160 Rial/Family and recreation value for each hectare of Nour forest is 809327 Rial. In addition, the results showed that price offer and visitors' income variables which are significant have the most impact on willingness to pay of Nour forest visitors and years of education, family size and being regional variables were the next effective factors on willingness to pay quantity.