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ANNUAL RING GROWTH OF CASPIAN ALDER IN THE FOREST ROAD EDGES

H. JALILVAND¹, S.A. HOSSEINY^*1, A. PARSAKHO²

Abstract: Three northern forest sites of Iran viz., Neka, Paved; Amreh and Darabkola, unpaved roads were selected to determine the edge effects of forest roads on the annual ring growth of alder trees (Alnus glutinosa). The thickness of annual rings, bark and height of trees were measured. The sampled trees were located in upward and downward of roads along one kilometer length of road. Statistical method and sample selection with the fixed area were used to measure diameter and height of selected trees. Core samples of alder tree were taken by borer in order to investigate the effect of different conditions including road-making operations on thickness of annual rings and its bark. The result showed that the average growth of alder trees in the front edge of roads was less than those were in the back of the road. Average of bark growth in the front edge of road was less than that it in the back. Also, the result of this study revealed negative effect of the paved forest road was more than that of unpaved forest roads. The research showed that the growth of alder in the edge of forest roads (Neka, Amreh and Darabkola  in northern forest of Iran) as a main factor and the given samples from either back or front of the roads as secondary factor were considered. Conclusion of this study revealed that the average annual growth of rings in paved road was less than those in unpaved roads.

¹Department of Forestry, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University,

²Ph.D. Student of Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University.