Quantitative charachteristics of regeneration in natural and harvested made canopy gaps in different elevations in oriental beech (Fagus orientalis) forests

The purpose of this study was to compare the quantitative regeneration status of gaps with different areas in managed and unmanaged forests at different elevations. 72 gaps in three size classes and 18 control plots under canopy cover were randomly selected. The results showed that up to an elevation of 1400 m, there was no significant differences between the average relative abundance of seedlings among the gaps and also between gaps and under canopy cover in both managed and unmanaged stands. However, with increasing elevation, the relative abundance of Fagus orientalis Lipsky increased in unmanaged stands in small gaps. Also, the relative abundance of Fagus orientalis Lipsky at elevation of 1000-1200 and 1400-1600 m in small gaps showed a significant difference between unmanaged and managed stands. While the relative abundance of Fagus orientalis Lipsky at an elevation of 1200-1400 m in medium size gaps showed none-significant difference between the two stands. The results of this study showed that the elevation is one of the most important and influential factor on the establishment of regeneration and growth of seedlings in canopy gaps.