Spatial patterns of trees and height story competition over forest developmental stages in the mixed stands of Guilan

Spatial patterns of trees and their interactions specifically reflect mortality, gap creation, resource use, and also determine population dynamics such as seed dispersal, understory development, initial survival and establishment, growth, and competition. In this study, three one-hectare sample plots in the three stages of early development, maturity and decay were selected in an untouched mixed beech forest in order to consider competition of trees from different height stories along developmental stages and all trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) larger than 7.5 cm by species were measured based on chest diameter, height and determination of cartesian coordinates using distance-azimuth method. Then, these stems data were first divided into three groups (lower, middle and upper stories) depending on their location in the vertical strata. The spatial patterns and spatial associations were analyzed among different tree height classes using univariate and bivariate Ripley’s K-function. Results showed that spatial pattern varied with canopy strata and scales in different development stages. Positively spatial associations of Fagus orientalis at upper and lower stories in initial and optimal staged and also among F. orientalis at upper and middle stories in decay stages influenced by shade-tolerance characteristics, seed dispersal limitation and the role of larger nurse trees as a shelter of small trees. Competition for resources was observed between Fagus orientalis at the middle story and Carpinus betulus at upper story in the all development stages. Recognizing spatial pattern and natural events guided by nature over time are necessary to carry out targeted forestry operations and In proportion to the evolutionary stages of forest stands.