بررسی وضعیت زادآوری طبیعی در توده‌های بلوط سیاه (Quercus macranthera) در شرایط فیزیوگرافی مختلف در جنگل‌های ارسباران

Natural regeneration ensures the survival of forest stands and sustainable forest development. The present study was conducted to investigate the natural regeneration of Persian oak (Quercus macranthera fisch. & C.A.Mey. Ex Hohen) stands in Arasbaran protected forest. Measurement of the frequency of standard and coppice regenerations was carried out in one-hectare square plots (100 × 100 m) in the habitat of this species in three levels of elevation including 1200-1400, 1400-1600 and 1600-1850 m above sea level (3 sampling plot in each altitude). The frequency classes were recorded in three groups: seedling (height≤30 cm), small sapling with a height between 30-130 cm and large sapling with a height more than 130 cm differentiated by regeneration source, including standard and coppice regeneration and species name. The results showed that the both of standard and coppice regenerations were the most frequency in large sapling with a height of more than 130 cm. The altitude of 1400-1600 m a.s.l had the most frequency percentage in all species regeneration. In addition, with increasing altitude, the amount of coppice regeneration decreased and the frequency of standard regeneration increased. The frequencies of standard and coppice regenerations have significant difference according to two-way ANOVA at different altitudes, different groups and different species. Based on the results of this study, the access to the forest stands and the increase in the destruction by humans and livestock reduces the frequency of species regeneration and expands the coppice regeneration. As the altitude increases and the access reduce, the amount of standard regeneration will increase. Therefore, conservation activities can help to reduce the degradation of the natural regeneration area.