Effects of conservation practice on covering parameters and natural regeneration of trees and shrubs in the Zagros forests

This study was conducted to determine the effects of forest conservation on natural regeneration of trees and shrubs and the percentage of Earth's surface covered by tree and litter in Zagros forest. For this purpose, Koshk reservoir forest in Eyvan city and at the vicinity of this region, the Baye forest with similar physiographic characters as control, was selected. 27 0.09 ha sample plots were randomly established in both regions. Number of trees and shrubs regeneration, vegetation, litter and stone cover percentage and litter depth were recorded in each plot. The results showed that forest conservation increased the regeneration of Quercus brantii with seed origin (P = 0.000) and stump sprouts (P = 0.039). It also increased the regeneration of Pistacia atlantica (P = 0.001), and Crataegus pontica (P = 0.014) by stump sprout as well as Cerasus microcarpa (P = 0.003) by seed origin. Koshk protected area had the most tree (P = 0.000) and litter (P = 0.000) cover percentage and litter depth (P = 0.000) than Baye region. The result of correlation analysis showed that natural regenerations of Quercus brantii, Pistacia atlantica have positive correlation with tree (P = 0.030) and litter (P = 0.030) cover percentage as well as litter depth (P = 0.003). Seeds originated from seedlings of Acer monspessulanum have positive correlation with tree cover percentage (P = 0.030), while their stump sprouts have positive correlation with stone percentage (P = 0.020).