Species diversity of woody plants in the district No.1 forests, Kelardasht, Mazandaran province

The objective of this study was to assess species diversity of woody plants in district No.1 forests of Kelardasht, Mazandaran. After numerous forest surveyings, areas with occurring changes in species composition have been designed, and were classified into five elevational classes. In addition, these forests were classified to six regions regarding to interventions. Then, a sampling plot was selectively established in each elevational class and selected regions with the highest tree species richness and diameter of breast height (dbh) of trees and individuals number of shrubs were recorded and the woody species type identified. Tree regenerations were counted in each microplot at the center of plot. The diversity indices were used to calculate woody species diversity. Also, species and familial importance values were obtained in studied areas. Results indicated that 21 trees species and 9 shrubs were found in these forests, and number of woody species has been increased in during time. There was the highest value of tree diversity in 500-1000 m a.s.l and the lowest value was in 1500- 2500 m a.s.l elevation class, however, there was the highest value of shrub diversity in 2000-2500 m a.s.l and the lowest value was in 1000-2000 m a.s.l elevation, also, the highest value of tree regeneration was found in 500-1000 m a.s.l and the lowest value found in 1500-2500 m a.s.l elevation class. In addition, there was the highest value of tree diversity in improvement and once done intervention regions and the lowest value was in oak-hornbeam type and village margin, and the highest value of shrub diversity was found in oak-hornbeam and the lowest value found in reference and depleted regions, and the highest value of tree regeneration was found in improvement and once done intervention regions and the lowest value found in reference region and village margin. Eventually, the highest value of tree species importance was belonged to Fagus orientalis, Carpinus betulus, Acer velutinum,and the lowest value belonged to Ulmus glabra, Acer campestre, Quercus macranthera, Sorbus torminalis, and the highest value of shrub importance belonged to Ilex spinigera and the lowest value belonged to Berberis vulgaris and Crataegus microphylla. Also, the highest value of family importance was belonged to Fagaceae, Betulaceae, Aceraceae and the lowest value belonged to Ulmaceae, Tiliaceae, Oleaceae, Hamamelidaceae and Ebenaceae.