Modification of structural characteristics of coppice stands of Brant`s oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) using tending operations in the forests of Lorestan Province

In most parts of the Zagros, the structure of coppice oak stands is very fragile and unstable due to the lack of diversity in the horizontal and vertical profile. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tending operations on the structural characteristics of Brant`s oak in Chegeni forests of Khorramabad, Lorestan province after 3 years. The study was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications with four treatments of light, medium and heavy thinning, which were thinned by 10, 20 and 30% of the basal area of the sprout-clumps, respectively, and the fourth treatment as a control. Measurements of quantitative variables were done. To investigate the effect of tending operations on dominance and dimension differentiation indices in the studied stands, the dominant and three neighboring sprouts in each sprout-clump were selected separately in different treatments and the quantitative characteristics of height and diameter of dominant and neighboring sprouts were measured. The results showed that due to tending operations, dominance and dimensional differences (collar height and diameter) indices of sprouts in heavy treatment were significantly higher than other treatments. Based on this, it can be concluded that heavy thinning treatment has been able to help improve the structure of the studied stands. Studying the effectiveness of other structural variables can help to identify the optimal thinning treatment. Also, this study emphasizes the importance of structural characteristics as a suitable tool for the management of oak coppice stands in order to help their sustainability.