Characteristics of Viburnum lantana L., Stands in the Lowest Limit of Its Distribution in the Arasbaran Forests, Iran

Recognition of habitat status and ecological responses of species to environmental vari - ables are prerequisites for better management and providing the ecological needs of each species. This research assessed the current status and distribution of Viburnum lantana L. It described its ecological characteristics in the lowest limit of its distribution in the Arasbaran forests.

The presence sites of Viburnum lantana L. (wayfaring trees) were se - lected based on field observations and library sources. Then, the 114 circular samples with a radius of 17.84 m were laid systematically and randomly out to collect data. Within each sam - pling area, the characteristics of each woody species, including species name, DBH (diameter at the breast height), and the height of all wayfaring trees and other species, were measured. The dominant species composition was calculated using the relative importance value.

Our results revealed 22 woody species with a height>130cm in our study area. V. lantana constitutes about 11% of the relative frequency, and its relative importance value (RIV) was 25.2, the third main species in RIV. The frequency of V. lantana showed a significant and positive correlation with the frequency of Quercus macranthera. The mean height of V. lantana was 2 m (±0.6 m). The highest number of V. lantana belonged to height class 1-2 m (47 stems per ha). Stem density per ha of V. lantana ranged between 24 and 403 in the lowest and highest elevation classes, respectively. There was no clear pattern of DBH and height of V. lantana, along with the aspect categories.

This species usually appears with Quercus macranthera as overstory species and Lonicera iberica as understory species in the wayfaring trees sites. Also, topographic factors such as slope, elevation, and aspect influenced the relative frequency, stem density per ha, DBH, and height of V. Lantana. This research is vital to inform forest managers and decision-makers about how the diversity of topographic variables differs for further planning and intervention.