Awareness of the density and canopy cover of Zagros FORESTs is important for their preservation, restoration and expansion. The purpose of this study was to introduce the most appropriate estimator of distance SAMPLING methods for estimating quantitative characteristics of these FORESTs. For this purpose, trees and their two large and small crown diameters in 33 circular sample plots in Kermanshah province inventoried. Within each circular plots, seven distance SAMPLING methods such as Nearest individual, Nearest neighbor, second nearest neighbor, Compound, T-square, Joint-point method and Point-centered quarter were sampled. After calculating the density and canopy cover of trees in circular method (true value) and distance SAMPLING method estimators, the results of this estimators were compared with circular plots with using accuracy. The results showed that among 16 estimators of above distance SAMPLING methods, the most suitable estimator for density and canopy cover of this FOREST was PCQ3 estimator.

Woody Debris is structural and functional part on FOREST ecosystems and plays a key role in nutrition circulation and carbon storage in long time, tree regeneration and biodiversity conservation. For this reason, studies about investigation and determination of the amount, the method of measurement and spatial distribution of coarse woody are very important. To correct planning about coarse woody in Fandoghlou FORESTs, at first febris we should measure the residues with a suitable statistical method. This study carried out with the aim of efficiency evaluation of line intersects SAMPLING to estimate woody debris. To this, transect method applied based on probability, Huber, and Smalian approaches. Comparison the results of census and transect methods by using analysis of variance and Duncan test indicated that the transect method based on probability theory was the best.

A variety of new methods have been proposed by ecologists and biologists for data collection on different attributes of coarse woody debris (CWD). Amongst others methods based on probability proportional to size are the newest techniques. These approaches are based on selecting individual logs into the sample unite using some forms of unequal probability SAMPLING. In the present study, we aimed to introduce “Distance Limited SAMPLING” (DLS) and “Sausage protocol” of “Fixed Area Method” as well as assessing their precision and accuracy for estimating volume of CWD. These methods select individual logs into the samples using probability proportional to length of the logs. To collect the data, a set of attributes including location, top and bottom diameter and length of all logs in a 250×250 m plot in an un-harvested temperate FOREST were fully inventoried, and the location of logs were mapped. Then different methods with different sample unit sizes were simulated in R programming language environment using SampSurf package. Results indicated that both methods are unbiased. Considering precision of the estimates, Sausage protocol of fixed area SAMPLING led to more precise estimates of volume of the loges than those estimated by DLS. Consequently, Sausage protocol is concluded for further usage as a promising method in the field due to its unbiasedness and production of highly-precise estimates.

Background and objectives: Zagross FORESTs as the most extensive part of FORESTs of Iran, retain important plant diversity. Vegetation knowledge is the base for ecological studies, management, and plant species conservation. Many diverse methods in vegetation studies have been proposed, based on the aims of study, kinds of vegetation, phonologic and taxonomic constraints, and financial and administrative possibility, which surveying is the most common. This study aimed to investigate the ability of modified multiscale Whittaker plots with random distribution in different vegetation types, in determining floristic composition.Materials and methods: In this study, floristic composition of Hashtad Pahloo FOREST catchment (8072 ha), contrary to common floristic studies, have been studied by SAMPLING method using 21, 250 m2 Wittaker multiscale plots. SAMPLING plots were distributed randomly in four distinct vegetation types including pure oak type (Quercus brantii Lindl.), Mixed oak and Acer (Quercus brantii Lindl., Acer monspessulanum L.), Shrubs and cushion plants (Daphne mucronata Royle, Cotoneaster morulus Pojark), and Mountain grasslands (Ferulago angulata Boiss., Tanacetum polycephalum Sch. Bip) types. Collected plants species were identified using authentic references and their life forms were determined based on Raunkier classification. Also Chorological study were performed based on Zohari eco regional division. IUCN classification and red data book of Iran were used to define Conservative situation of plant species.Results: Results show that there are 211 species belong to 166 genus and 46 families in this landscape. Compositeae with 28 species (13.27%) were the biggest family. Irano-Toranian with 80 species (37.91%) and Mediterranean with 55 species (26.6%) were the most common chorologic types in this area. The most important life forms were Therophytes 88 species (43.9%), Geophytes 43 species (21.43%), Chamaephytes 25 species (13.2%), Hemicryptophytes 18 species (9.57%) and Phanerophytes 15 species (8.1%).Conclusion: Comparison of the results of this study with earlier floristic study recently performed in this landscape revealed that random distribution of SAMPLING plots in different vegetation types is able to identify common plant species while it needs less time and cost.

Background and objectives: Silviculture is considered one of the most important activities of FORESTry and includes all issues related to training and improvement of FOREST stands. The main goal and purpose of FOREST treatment is to strengthen and improvement of the quantitative and qualitative of FOREST stand and to keep it in health condition during the long life of FOREST. Different cuts in the FOREST as FORESTry tools play an important role in guiding the FOREST stand towards the desired goals. These cuttings are done to improve FOREST stands and to achieve the development and sustainability of FOREST ecosystems. Investigation the importance and impact of these cuts in the target FORESTs of the region is vital for FOREST management. This research conducted with the aim to compare the quantity and quality of mature FOREST stands and the regeneration of improvement cutting stand (improvement cutting operation for 14 years) and the control stand (adjacent to the improvement cutting stand) in Makidi area of Kalibar city.Methodology: Makidi region located in the protected part of Arsbaran FORESTs and in the southwest of Kalibar city. The altitude of this area is 1400-1500 meters above sea level and it is located in the western part of the middle Kliberchay river watershed. Both of the treatment areas were similar in terms of physiographic and ecological conditions and differed only in terms of the type of treatments. A total of 5% of the trees in the improvement cutting stand were harvested during the 14 years. In this operation, the trees that were weak or diseased in terms of their appearance, or the trunks of the trees that were attached to the elite trees or that had crown and root disturbances removed. The total surface area under study is 40 hectares, of which 20 hectares considered for each of the treatments. Using a 50x50 meter grid, 33 circular sample plots of 300 square meters were implemented in the control area (three sample plots located inside the uncovered area) 36 sample plots established in the improvement cutting area. Also, the regeneration of woody species in both stands investigated in circular sample plots with dimensions of 100 square meters centered on the main sample plot.Results: The results showed that the average d.b.h of the trees was 11.35 and 10.98 cm, the average crown diameter was 2.48 meters and 2.11 meters in the improvement cutting stand and control stand, respectively. The average height of the trees in the improvement cutting stand was 9.22 meters and, in the control, stand was 9.61 meters, and the difference between the two stands was not statistically significant. Regarding the number of trees per hectare in both stands, the highest number recorded in the 10 cm diameter class, and in the higher diameter classes, the number of trees decreases. The results show that the stand is immature and fewer trees are in higher diameters. Observing the state of the two stands shows the youth of these stands, and considering that they are at the age of growth, they are high in number per hectare, and the competition between the stands to obtain soil nutrients and light is high and the demand for more treatment interventions can be felt. The height-to-diameter ratio of two improvement cutting stand and control stands shows that the average height-to-diameter ratio in the control stand is higher than in the improvement cutting stand, which indicates the improvement of the ratio due to cutting operations and the better stability of the stands after improvement cutting operations. Among the most important trees and shrubs observed in the study area, species such as Quercus petraea, Quercus macranthera, Acer compestre, Carpinus betelus, Cerassus avium were recorded. The results show that in terms of species composition, Quercus petraea was 56% and cypress species 0.31% more than the control population in the improvement cutting stand. The percentage of trees with a healthy crown is 93.4% and 93.9% and the upright trunk angle is 68.7% and 43.5% in the improvement cutting stand and control stands, respectively. Examining the tendency of the trees shows that trees in the improvement cutting stand has a more favorable position than the control stand, However, the control stand also have a favorable condition. The stand origin observed in the study area is seedling. The correlation between the diameter and height of trees in both the improvement cutting stand and control stands shows a significant exponential relationship, and the coefficient of determination for the improvement cutting stand is better than the control stand. In terms of the frequency of regeneration, the control stand has a more suitable state of regeneration compared to the improvement cutting stand, and the highest number of regenerations observed in the 5 to 7.5 cm diameter classes, followed by the 2.5 to 5 cm and 0 to 2.5 cm diameter classes.Conclusion: The summary of the obtained results shows that these stands need more intervention and subsequent cuttings to increase the amount of light and nutrient to the remaining trees which causes more diameter growth increment. It is recommended that these studies be repeated every five years to understand better the impact of this operation.

Plotless or distance SAMPLING methods, also known as k-tree SAMPLING, are practical field SAMPLING methods for FOREST inventories and ecological surveys. In this research, in order to test the efficiency of Continues Nearest Neighbor (C-nn) distance SAMPLING method a 220 ha FOREST area was selected in Kheyroud FORESTs of northern Iran. Then field SAMPLING was performed using: 1-circular sample plots of 1000 m2 which is conventional in these FORESTs and 2-C-nn samples with k = 15 trees, both based on a 150 m×200 m systematic grid. In total, we measured 77 circular sample plots and 77 C-nn samples in the study area. Results showed that there was no significant difference between estimation of FOREST stem basal area using the two methods and even among different values of k (6 to 15). However, SAMPLING precision decreased significantly by decreasing the amount of k from 7 to 6 trees. Furthermore, time cost in the C-nn method was significantly lower than the other one. Therefore, regarding to the ease of implementation and the statistical precision of the C-nn SAMPLING method, we concluded when SAMPLING using plotless methods is needed to apply in these kind of FOREST, the C-nn SAMPLING method can be implemented with k =7 trees based on the cost and precision of inventory.

Population management of exploited species requires information on absolute density and abundance through reliable survey methods. The baseline information is further needed for population dynamics studies and determination of conservation status. The current population size of pheasant is totally unknown, because there is no official attempt to estimate population size in previous years. In this study, line transect based Distance SAMPLING method was used to yield population estimates in Sa'ad Abad FOREST. Data from aural and visual counts were combined to calculate overall estimates. Adjustment was made in which an aural -detection was assumed to represent four birds per flock. Otherwise, the estimates were found to be underestimated. Results indicated that an unbiased estimation of overall density and abundance of pheasant for the entire 4000 ha study area, D ± S.E. = 0.35 ± 0.070 birds/ha and N ± S.E. = 1400 ± 280 birds, respectively. The cluster size of the species was estimated at, E (s) ± S.E. = 2.143 ± 0.139 birds/flock.

For maintaining of Zagros FORESTs role in wild life, water and soil conservation, the suitable solutions and methods for assessing the existing conditions and planning for management of this FORESTs should be given. This study was carried out in FOREST regions around Ilam city (Karzan region) in a FOREST area of 86 ha with coppice and seed origin. At first, a 100 percent FOREST inventory was implemented. The coordinates of each tree on the ground was recorded and their quantitative attributes (crown diameter, DBH of seed origin trees) were measured. Using Arcview software in GIS environment the eight cells sample plots for different inventory networks namely 100 m×100 m, 100 m×200 m and 200 m×200 m were simulated and statistical analysis were done. The mean value of trees density per hectare for all three networks were calculated and compared with their real data (100 percent inventory) by t-test (a=0.05).Results showed that there is no significant difference between mean values in three inventory networks and the real mean value.

Basic FOREST management and planning require appropriate quantitative and qualitative information. This information obtained from FOREST inventory. So FOREST inventory have an essential role in estimating present situation and future planning. In this study,  37.2hectares of Daalaab FOREST of Ilam province were calculated with 1 hectare samples. To analyze quantitative characteristics, “transect with fixed length (50 m)” and “transect with fixed number of tree (5 trees)” were selected for comparison. Measured characteristics were density (number tree per hectare), crown cover and basal area. Based on systematic-random SAMPLING pattern with 100×100m dimension, 37 samples were selected for each SAMPLING method. In each sample, characteristics of trees were recorded and measured. Results this investigation showed that based on precision and cost criteria, transect with fixed number tree SAMPLING method is a more suitable method for analysis of quantitative characteristics in the studied FORESTs.