Impact of logging intensity on stem density, basal area and biodiversity indices five years after logging in a Caspian hardwood forest

• Published in: Journal of forest science (Praha) Vol. 63; no. 4; pp. 167 - 172
• Main Authors: KEIVAN BEHJOU, Farshad, GHAFFARZADEH MOLLABASHI, Omid
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Prague Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) 2017; Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Canopies; Density; Diversity indices; forest biodiversity; Hardwoods; harvesting intensity; Herbivores; Logging; northern iran; Small mammals; Stems
• ISSN: 1212-4834; 1805-935X
• DOI: 10.17221/103/2016-JFS

The aim of the present study was to analyse the impacts of different logging intensities after five years from logging including non-logged, low (3.4 felled stems per hectare), medium (5.2 felled stems per hectare) and high (7.1 felled stems per hectare) treatments on stem density, basal area, canopy cover, and forest biodiversity indices. The study area was located in northern Iran. Data was collected on a set of 120 circular plots with 5 m radius from both non-logged and logging areas. Stem density, basal area, and percentage of canopy cover were measured. Biodiversity study was done by measuring two diversity indices including Simpson’s and Shannon-Wiener’s, two richness indices including Margalef’s and Menhinick’s and two evenness indices including Pielou’s and Hill’s indices. The results indicated that the treatment with the medium logging intensity was found to cause the highest amount of positive effects on stem density, basal area, and biodiversity indices. It is concluded that harvesting intensity should be limited to a medium level (approximately 5 felled trees per hectare) during each logging operation to improve forest biodiversity indices.