نشریه بوم شناسی جنگل های ایران
پیاپی 20 (پاییز و زمستان 1401)

The yew tree is a native conifer of Iran. This plant is the main source of the anti-cancer drug Taxol. Research has shown that yew coexisted with endogenous fungi. These endophytes increase food availability, resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses by producing secondary metabolites that they provide to their hosts. Isolation and characterization of this type of microorganism can be important to discover new species with the potential to produce antimicrobial compounds. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the effect of systemic fungicides and antagonistic effects of endophytic fungi isolated from yew against the pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum.

This research was conducted in Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. To isolate the endophytes, two groups of plants were used, including plants treated with systemic fungicides (Rovral-TS and Fosetyl aluminum) and control. Treatments were applied by foliar application in three periods with an interval of seven days. After foliar application, the root, stem, and leaf of experimental plants were used to isolate endophytes. Selected isolated endophytes were used to determine the percentage of inhibition against F. oxysporum. Finally, molecular identification of selected and effective strains from isolated endophytic fungi was performed.

The research results showed that all the endophytic fungi isolated from yew could inhibit pathogen growth. Based on molecular studies, five strains of identified endophytic fungi belonged to the genera Fusarium, Phomopsis, and Colletotrichum. Fungi which were identified from fosetyl aluminum-treated organs showed the most growth inhibitory effect. Among the identified fungi, Fusarium solani had the highest inhibitory power with 71.81% inhibition, which was obtained from yew seedlings treated with rovral-TS systemic fungicide. The least inhibitory effect was related to Phomopsis sp. with 12.97% inhibition. This fungus was isolated from yew seedlings in the control treatment.

In general, the results showed that endophytic fungi isolated from native Iranian yew seedlings have a high ability to biologically control the pathogen F. oxysporum. In addition, the application of systemic fungicides not only directly inhibits pathogens, but strengthening endophytic fungi can protect the plant against pathogens as well.

Quantifying the structure of forest stands by quantifying their different components helps to better understand for the management of different components of the forest ecosystem. One of the most important reasons for the structure quantification is that the forest structure is related to the habitat of many plant species, the modeling and reconstruction of the forest based on its structural characteristics, and the forest structure is an important source of information for forest dynamics, aesthetics and wood production. Therefore, in this research, the structural characteristics of two stands managed by single-selection and shelterwood methods were compared with the control stand.

In order to conduct this study, three plots including plot No. 3 with single-selection method, plot No.  13 with shelterwood method and plot No. 10 (control plot) were selected in Alandan forests, Mazandaran province. To study the structural features of forest stands, circular sample plots with an area of ​​1000 m2 were used (21, 14 and 25 sample plots in (In the plots of single-selection, shelterwood and control plot, respectively and a total of 60 sample plots). The inventory was conducted in a systematic-randomly method with a grid size of 200 × 150 m. To investigate the regeneration condition, a 1 m2 micro-plot in the center of the sample plot and its four main directions were used. In order to investigate the soil properties, sampling was performed by a combined method at a depth of 0-10 cm in the center of the large sample plot and the four main directions. Percentage of soil texture (including sand, silt and clay), moisture content, bulk density, pH, EC, percentage of organic carbon, percentage of organic matter, percentage of lime, total nitrogen, absorbable phosphorus and absorbable potassium were measured in the laboratory.

The results showed that the average number of trees per hectare was 206, 209 and 358 in the single-selection, control and shelterwood plots, respectively; which had a volume of 428.22, 477.14 and 373.3 sylve, respectively. The average percentage of moisture, percentage of organic carbon and percentage of organic matter in the single-selection was 49.4%, 4.7% and 8.2%, respectively; while, in the control and shelterwood plots they were 44.12 and 43.24%; 3.4 and3.28%; and 5.9 and 5.66%, respectively. The bulk density was 1.72 g/cm3 in the shelterwood plot; while, its amount in single-selection and control masses plots 1.22 and g/cm3, respectively.

In general, the results of this study showed that the implementation of different silvicultural methods such as the shelterwood and selection methods have different effects on the structure, regeneration, and physical and chemical properties of the soil.

Biodiversity has a very important role in the sustainability and self-regulation of ecosystems and is used as an indicator to compare the ecological status of forest ecosystems. Corticolous lichen are one of the most common components of biodiversity in the forest community. The high diversity of Corticolous lichenes in an area indicates the biodiversity and sustainability of an ecosystem. One of the most important approaches to interpreting and tracking spatial variations of biodiversity is to use a regression model. The aim of this study is to model the diversity of Corticolous lichen species.

This research was carried out in section 2 of Shurab of Golband forestry projects in Noshahr city (Mazandaran province). Firstly, 54 samples were collected using rotating forest and selective sampling method. Then the Corticolous lichenes species in the parts were identified. Spatial location of all sample plots was recorded using GPS. All skin lichens were collected in each sample plot. Collected specimens were identified using valid lithological sources as well as laboratory methods. In this study, to determine the biodiversity in the next step, the values of Shannon Wiener and N1-Hill diversity indices and J-Pilo uniformity index were calculated for each of the sample plots. Then, a map of geographical and topographic factors affecting diversity including distance from road and distance from waterway and slope, height, wetting index, flow strength index and erodibility factor was prepared. weighted geographical regression and Ordinary Least Squares for modeling were used.

In this study, 17 species of lichens belonging to 14 genera and 11 families were identified. The results showed that the weighted geographical regression for Shannon Wiener, N1 Hill and J Pilo indices based on the coefficients of explanation coefficient and the modified Akaike information criterion had better results than the Ordinary least squares regression. The amount of lichen diversity based on Shannon-Wiener and N1 Hill indices was calculated with a range from 1.24 to 2.98 and 2.06 to 6.99, respectively, and the amount of J Pilo uniformity index was 0.205 to 0.830. Also, the results of Moran I index showed that the spatial correlation in dermatological lichens is significant and their distribution pattern is clustered.

In general, the results of this study showed that the geographical weighted regression method has a relatively good capability in modeling the spatial diversity of bark lichen species in forest stands. This regression model can be used to model lichen diversity.

 Among the diverse ecosystems on land, the forest ecosystem by hosting a series of complex ecological processes causes the formation and continuous flow of functions and services that directly and indirectly play a role in economic life or human livelihood. They are wonderful, and its maintenance should be the main goal of human activities. Based on the most common and comprehensive classification of ecosystem goods and services, forest ecosystem functions are divided into four categories: regulatory function, information function, production function, and habitat function. These functions and services are not free and have hidden economic value. If these services are considered free, the forest ecosystem will be harvested a lot.

 Forest ecosystem as a valuable natural resource provides various functions and services for humans that their role and importance is one of the objectives of this study. In order to achieve this goal, the multi-criteria decision making techniques such as SWARA has been used to calculate the weight of forest ecosystem functions, SAW, ARAS and TOPSIS techniques to prioritize the functions. In this study, research data were extracted by field survey, random sampling and by completing a questionnaire by 150 native households on the edge of Shiadeh and Diva forest ecosystem in Babol city of Mazandaran provence for showing which of the functions of the forest ecosystem including regulatory, Habitat, production and information functions are more important for the indigenous communities of the region.

Analysis of weighting findings of Shiadeh and Diva forest ecosystem functions by SWARA technique showed that regulatory, information, habitat and production functions with the weights of 0.4623, 0.2211, 0.685 and 0.1481 have taken the most weight respectively. 

Based on the results obtained from prioritizing of the region forest ecosystem functions with SAW, ARAS and TOPSIS models, regulatory and information functions were given a higher priority than other functions. It is suggested that due to the importance of preserving the forests of this region, more appropriate planning and further research should be done by the relevant organizations to protect the forest ecosystem of the region.

A comprehensive study of vegetation changes requires consideration of all influential factors in the ecosystem. The Zagros forests, as one of Iran's most important forest ecosystems, contain diversified vegetation including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous species. Therefore, accurate identification of vegetation and knowledge of their ecological role can help in protecting natural resources and sustainable development. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in herbaceous vegetation in the Hashtadpahloo forests of Lorestan province.

For this purpose, after physiognomic typing of the region, 21 multi-scales, modified Whittaker plots were randomly selected in pure oak type (Quercus brantii Lindl.), Mixed oak and Acer type (Quercus brantii Lindl., Acer monspessulanum L.), Shrubs and cushion plants type (Daphne mucronata Royle, Cotoneaster morulus Pojark), and rangeland type (grassland and rangeland species). Species richness, canopy cover of tree species, Physiographic factors such as slope, aspect and altitude were measured at 250 m2 (25×10) plots, and presence and cover percentage of each herbaceous plant was recorded at o.25 m2 plots. (0.25 × 1. Furthermore a combined soil samples were taken at 0–30 cm depths to determine soil properties. After measuring plant diversity indices such as Margalf, Mannick and Shannon Wiener indices and some physical and chemical characteristics of soil in laboratory, principle component analysis (PCA) was used to indicate the most important environmental factors affecting diversity indices in different types.

The results showed that there were significant differences among different vegetation types with respect to Menhinick and Margalef richness indices, aspect, slope, altitude, and canopy cover (p<0.05). While Simpson's and Pylo's indicators of diversity, dominance, and evenness had no significant differences among different types. The highest Menhinick and Margalef richness indices were observed in pure oak type, whereas rangeland type had the lowest richness indices and canopy cover and the highest slope and altitude. In addition, the soil variables absorbable potassium and magnesium had a significant correlation with the values of Manchinic, Margalf, Simpson, and Shannon-Weiner indices. Based on the PCA results, dominance, diversity, and species richness indices (constituent variables of the first component), edaphic factors (constituent variables of the second component), and eventually Physiographic factors such as slope, aspect, and altitude with canopy cover (constituent variables of the third component), describe the highest percentage of changes in the herbaceous community of the region respectively.

As a result, it can be acknowledged that due to the wide spread of Zagros forests, simultaneous attention to the three components of forest types, physiography and soil can favorably reflect the changes in the vegetation of the herbaceous vegetation of the Zagros, and they can be used in the management of these forests.

Overgrazing, imbalance between stocking rate and range capacity, premature enterance of livestock to range and forests, are among the main factors in range and forest destruction and changes in composition, structure and species diversity. In this study, the changes in composition, structure and species diversity under different intensity of livestock Grazing: ungrazed (UG), moderate grazing (MG), and heavy grazing (HG), after one year grazing in Sarkhalaj Deteriorated Forests (Kangavar), was investigated.

Sampling was done along 100 m transects, with 90 plots (2 m2) based on Brown blanke method to record vegetation cover of species. Whereas Sarkhalaj area, are numbered as summer woody rangelands, sampling of soil seed bank was done before seed growth season. Then after field observation of area, three site were selected that in each site, ecological characteristics such as topography (slope, aspect, height), soil type and average rainfall were the same and only differed in grazing intrnsity. The distance among sites was considered as 500 m. Then these sites treated uvder heavy and moderate grazing and in one of sites, no grazing was performed (control). Also sampling from soil seed bank in the study area, was collected in two soil depth: 0-5 and 5-10 cm in each plot. The composition and amount of seed bank were determined by seeding method in greenhouse.

 The results showed that MG and HG caused change in species diversity by decreasing of cryptophytes and trophytes and increasing of hemi-cryptophytes, chaemophytes and phanerophytes in the study area. Also, diversity indices of vegetation and seed bank in HG, were very lesser compared to UG area which indicats the severe changes of species diversty due to overgrazing. The results of this study showed that, livestoch grazing could be applayed as a management tool to enrichment of phanerophytes (shrubs) in woody rangeland.The results showed that MG and HG led to change in species diversity, so that by increasing of graze intensity cryptophytes and trophytes species were decreased, wherease hemi-cryptophytes, chaemophytes and phanerophytes spesies were increased.Also, diversity indices in HG area were lesser than ungrazing area, wherese diversity indices of MG was more than HG.

 Overally, results of this study showed that annual exclosure oprations can increase the diversity indexes and when exclosure is not possible (because of rural and nomad's needs for rangeland forage and impossibility of exerting rangeland exclosure in such vasst area, MG can be a higher priority.

 Microbial respiration and microbial carbon biomass are two important biological indicators for assessing ecosystem quality that can be used to determine ecosystem health. The aim of this study was to investigate the change in soil microbial activities in forest different structure in Kurdistan province.

  Four one-hectare sample plots (100×100 meters) were selected in Baneh (two sample plots), Marivan and Sarvabad counties and structural characteristics of stands were measured. In order to investigate the changes in soil microbial activities in each sample plot, seven soil samples were taken from a depth of 0-10 cm in each site (a total of 28 soil samples) in August 2019 (28 samples in total). In this study, microbial activities including soil respiration, induced soil respiration, nitrification potential and microbial carbon biomass were compared in four stands (site). One-Way ANOVA and Duncan's test were used to evaluate the significance of differences in soil microbial characteristics between the four sites.

  The results showed that there was a significant difference between the parameters of soil respiration, induced soil respiration and microbial carbon biomass of soil between the four studied stands, but no significant difference was observed in terms of nitrification potential. Also, for soil respiration, induced soil respiration and microbial carbon biomass of soil parameters in Belveh site with 2.45 (mg CO2.g -1  dm. 24 -1 ), Belveh site with 48.21 (mg CO2.100g -1  dm. 24 -1), Dolah-Naw site with 280.9 (µg N.g-1 dm.5h-1) and Saraki site with 5.35 (mg carbon biomass /100 gr) had the highest average. Therefore, for nitrification potential of Doleh Naw (with young aged coppice forest) site was the highest values ​​and highest value of soil respiration, induced soil respiration observed in  Belveh site (unaged coppice forest with to two story layer).

 Therefore, forest structure area effects on soil microbial characteristics (soil respiration, induced soil respiration and microbial carbon biomass). For sustainable forest management, it is recommended to study soil microbial activities in periodic monitoring and positive effect microbial carbon biomass on forest, in Sareki and Belveh site (area lowest average of microbial carbon biomass), afforestation with native species be done.

Deadwoods are the structural legacies components of natural stands that play a drastic function in understanding the developmental stages.

Therefore, the attending study emphasizes quantifying the deadwood statues in determining various dynamic steps in the forests of northern Iran. Compartment 326 was considered the Gorazbon district in the Kheyrud forest for this point. The 25 one-hectare sample plots were selected and their deadwood by the 100% sampling method. Standing deadwood (snag) with a diameter of more than 7.5 cm, which dried as a stem or trunk with a height of more than 1.3 m, was measured. The significance was assessed after the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normalization test through the ANOVA test for traits such as dead trees ' height, standing deadwood size, length of fallen deadwood, their frequency in diameter classes, and appearance.  

The mean abundance of beeches deadwood per hectare in the disturbance and legacy creation, pre-forest, canopy closure, mature forest, and old forest developmental stages are 23.2%, 16.85%, 7.6%, 16.6%, and 35.8%, respectively. The highest deadwood volume is related to the disturbance and legacy creation stage, and the least includes the canopy closure (162.75 and 7.45 m3. ha-1, respectively). Furthermore, the maximum mean deadwood volume in decay classifications 1, 2, 3, and 4 includes 69.35 m3. ha-1 for disturbance and legacy creation, 60.08 m3. ha-1 on disturbance and legacy creation, 25 m3. ha-1 on the old-growth, and 17.9 m3. ha-1 for old-growth, respectively. The ANOVA results revealed that the mean differences are significant in factors such as deadwood, their standing type (snag), falling type volume, and their appearance.

The deadwood frequency understanding at each development stage and perspectives provided optimal management of forest ecosystems and appropriate management interventions such as silviculture treatment, forest harvesting, and forest restoration.

Biodiversity is considered as an important indicator in the study of health and sustainability of natural ecosystems. This investigation was aimed to study of species and functional diversity of grass cover in the north Zagross forests.

 32 sample plots with an area of 300 square meters were taken from less disturbed areas and as well as 30 sample plots in the pollarded (Galajar) areas using the minimal area. Some functional characteristics of plants including leaf dry weight, specific leaf area, plant life form, chorology, total plant height and root system were studied. In order to study of chemical and physical properties of soil the soil samples were taken at a depth of 0-10 cm from the center and four corners of the plots as well as. Four environmental variables including potassium content, sand percentage, rock protrusion percentage and geographical direction were selected by forward selection analysis

The results showed that the two groups of Cemetery and Galajar area are well distinguished from each other based on species composition. Evaluation of the effect of environmental and soil variables on the species and functional diversity based on Redundancy analysis (RDA), showed that functional homogeneity is significantly different from the homogeneity estimation index. The classification results showed the distinctiveness of Galajar and less disturbed areas as two separate groups. Soil potassium content and sand percentage were lower in Galajar while bedrock protrusion was higher.

In General, it can be said that the density, species and functional diversity of vegetation in Galajar were lower than less disturbed areas. According to the fact that species diversity is less in the Pollarded area(Galajar) than less disturbed areas, it is suggested that less disturbed forests be considered as a management model.

In recent years, one of the environmental problems of the Zagros forests is oak trees decay, which is manifested in the form of dryness of trees. Such issue is a multidimensional, complex and national phenomenon in the Zagros forests.

In current study, the impact of canopy severity of dryness on characteristics of leaves and seeds of Quercus brantii was monitored in deteriorated forest areas in Veyleh district of Kermanshah province during 2019-2021. Sampling of leaves for three consecutive years in spring and summer from five fixed trees in each decay class was randomly done. Each time20 leaves (5 leaves in each crown direction) were transferred to the laboratory to measure leaf area, fresh and dry weight of leaves and moisture percentage. Also, 25 seeds were separated from the same trees in each direction of the canopy and the dimensions of the seeds, seed cup and weight of 100 seeds were determined. The research treatments included tree decay at four levels (healthy, top canopy dryness, canopy dryness less than 50%, canopy dryness more than 50%). Combined analyses of quantitative data using SPSS statistical software in a completely randomized design was carried out and mean data were compared with Duncan's method at 5% level for four levels of drought and three years of study.

There is a significant difference (p≤%1) between different levels of dryness for dry weight, fresh weight, leaf moisture content and all characteristics related to seeds, but for the average leaf area, there is no significant difference between different levels of oak tree dryness. The interaction of different levels of dryness with study years was significantly different (p≤%1) for the following traits: length, average diameter, cup thickness and weight of 100 seeds. Also, a significant difference is observed in the diameter of the seed cup mouth diameter (p≤%5) finally, the interaction of the year in dryness levels for the traits cup height, cup diameter and percentage of seed viability is not significant. The maximum dry weight of leaves is related to the surface of more than 50% of dryness and the minimum is for healthy trees, which shows a significant difference (p≤%5) with other levels of dryness. The highest fresh leaf weight is related to less than 50% dryness and the lowest is related to healthy trees which has a significant difference (p≤%5) with other levels. The highest percentage of leaf moisture is related to healthy trees and the lowest amount is related to trees with more than 50% dryness which does not show a significant difference with canopy dryness trees. The highest dry leaf weight is related to the surface with more than 50% of dryness and the lowest amount is related to healthy trees and has a significant difference (p≤%5) with other levels.

It seems that the reproductive and vegetative characteristics of oak trees are totally impressed by different classes of tree dryness. Also, different climatic conditions during different years have a significant impact on such characteristics. The results showed that the health status of the trees has a great effect on leaf weight. Dried up Oak trees have larger and heavier leaves than healthy trees. With increasing drying rate, the quantity and quality of seeds have decreased drastically but for the characteristics of the leaves, the changes are such that the trees try to maintain their viability and to some extent maintain their photosynthetic level. In this area, reduced rainfall and the presence of drought effects from previous years is a serious threat to the vitality and health of the under study forest.

 264 million hectares, over 7% of the world's total forests, account for planted forest. Annually, roughly 5 million hectares are added up to this existing forests. In Iran, according to statistics there are 941000 ha planted forests. Planted forests are created with diver's goals. With respect to the role of industrial regions to cause air pollutants and also the role of trees and shrubs to absorb of these pollutants, one of the main goals to create this planted forest is to absorb these pollutants and help to improve of air quality. In the surrounding of industrial regions, it is ought to be covered with planted forest according to some environmental protective rules and regulations. Apart from the purpose of forest establishment, the major concern is the success at which planted forest species will be adapted and be successfully grown. It seems that what should be prioritized and be taken into consideration is the selection of appropriate species for those regions. For each selection including species selection for plantation it is necessary to have some criteria and indicators on which selection can be based. This research is exploring how to extract appropriate criteria and indicators for appropriate species selection in plantation of arid and semi-arid industrial regions.

 After literature reviewing and by specialist panel, 4 group criteria, 10 criteria, 16 sub criteria and 74 indices for evaluation and determination of degree of importance and importance percentage are offered to executive experts and academic specialists. Among these criteria and indicators based on Delphi questionnaire.

 4 group criteria, 9 criteria, 13 sub criteria and 61 indicators are extracted and prioritized. From the view point of experts, ecologic group criterion, biological criterion, sub criterion of adaptability, ecologic indicator of drought resistance and management indicator of reduction in water consumption are of the highest importance for deciding on the species selection in arid and semi-arid industrial regions.

Based on the results of this research, indicators such as drought resistance, irrigation and maintenance cost, dust absorption ability, and irrigation efficiency are among the indicators that have a high percentage and degree of importance in the decision for species selection.

Due to the difficulty of this process, determining the volume inventory of the forest is one of the most fundamental objectives and duties of forest management. It has always been connected to difficulties for the department in charge of implementation. Mapping of forest stand volume has an important role in sustainable forest management. In Iran’s north forestry plans, the systematic random sampling method and arithmetic average method is used to estimate the stand volume and spatial relationships between inventory sample plots will not be considered. The aim of this study is to compare kriging method and ordinary one used to map stand volume of Haftkhal forestry plan.

For this purpose, we used 243 circular sample plots with 10R area and 150×200meter grid (Forestry Department standard in Iran) for inventory.To evaluate the performance of the kriging-method-created map the approach of poisonous variograms, histograms, and their indices was first used as the referential map to determine whether the data were normal. The best parameters of Lag Size, Nugget, and Partial Sill were then tested using the remaining points and the conventional approach to create the necessary kriging map using 30% of the sample pieces (73 sample pieces) randomly separated as ground control points. Finally, the ideal mode was decided upon. The produced map was then verified using ground control sample pieces (73 sample pieces), and the amount of difference was measured by comparing the head volumes of the control sample pieces and those calculated using the Kriging method as corresponding points.

Map produced by the arithmetic mean method (ordinary method of Forestry Department) and maps of Kriging method was compared. Accuracy of kriging map was controlled by using ground samples plots. The results showed that Root Mean Square error (RMSe) of the best model was 30 percent and Bias was 0.11 percent. Using SAS software showed the correlation coefficient between kriging map and ground sample plots and corresponding relationship was at the level of 99 percent, but the correlation between arithmetic mean method was not corresponded even in 95% probability level. T-test, using this software, also showed similar results.

In conclusion, Kriging capability is superior to conventional methods for estimating forest stand volume.

Determining the distribution status of species and habitats under their occupation is very important in species conservation and management programs, but the available time and budget make large-scale species studies difficult and in many cases impossible. Therefore, in this field, species distribution modeling methods are used. Modeling the distribution of plant species with the aim of identifying areas prone to conservation conservation and afforestation is important. The aim of this study was to model the distribution of pistachio species using methods and feasibility study of the development of this species in Ilam province.

For this purpose, the presence points of the species throughout the province were collected using stratified random sampling method and their geographical coordinates were entered into the software MaxEnt. Map of environmental factors including 19 climatic variables, 3 topographic variables and snow cover variables were prepared. These variables were used as model input and the relationship between attendance data and environmental variable maps was defined mathematically using software. Then species distribution prediction maps were prepared using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modeling method.

The results of model evaluation showed that the model with the area under the plot curve AUC: 0.947 has an excellent prediction versus 0.5 which means that the prediction is random. Jack Knife test also showed that the model was successful in predicting the distribution of pistachio species and the factors of annual temperature range, mean temperature ‌, isotherm index, annual precipitation and altitude, respectively, had the greatest impact on the presence of this species in Ilam province.

The results of this study have provided key and important information about the tolerance range of Pistica species to environmental variables. This information is effective in making management decisions to prioritize conservation areas and to take remedial and conservation measures, especially in areas where vegetation is being degraded, and increases the chances of success in planting and rehabilitation projects.

Many of the human environmental problems arise from maladaptive behaviors and unstable patterns of life. The reason for the disappearance of forests is not beyond this discussion. One-sided management methods of natural resources and unfamiliar with the needs and traditional way of life of villagers and families living in the forest areas of northern Iran, unfavorable economic and social situation of villagers and low and unsustainable development in rural areas are effective factors in destroying Hyrcanian forests. One of the nature-friendly management methods that that has become popular in the world in the last two decades is "Ecovillage".The purpose of this study is to localize rural ecosystem criteria and indicators in developed countries and prioritize these indicators in rural ecosystems along the Darabkola forest with the aim of preventing the destruction and improper use of Natural areas, including forests and pastures.

In this study, the Delphi method was used to identify and localize the criteria and indicators of ecological, economic and socio-cultural evaluation. Entropy Shanon and TOPSIS techniques were also used to determine the weight and prioritization of these criteria and indicators.

The results showed that ecological criteria with 0.460 had the highest and socio-cultural and economic criteria with 0.375 and 0.165, respectively, had lower weights.

In general, the results of this study showed that attention to ecological category indicators has a higher priority than social and economic indicators. As a result, it is more important to pay attention to these indicators for decision making and management.

Protected areas (PAs) are considered as the main tool to protect biodiversity worldwide. However, due to the insufficient facilities and equipment, in practice, many PAs fail to achieve their basic conservation goals. Therefore, evaluating and ensuring the effectiveness of PAs to protect biodiversity, especially in biodiversity hotspots, and for their long-term conservation and management. The Hyrcanian forest is one of the ancient deciduous temperate and pristine forests in Northern Hemisphere, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique diversity of flora and fauna. However, due to the expansion of human development, these forests is threatened by various human activities. Then, assessing human threats is of paramount for better implementation of management policies in the region.

We obtained red deer (Cervus elaphus maral) census data from the Iranian Department of Environment. We also conducted direct interviews with rangers across PAs in the study area. Moreover, we extracted land use change data (i.e., forest cover and cropland) for two decades (1989-2018). We applied a generalized linear model to analyse our data and selected our best models based on Quasi-Akaike Information Criterion corrected for small sample size (QAICc) approach.

Our results show that the forest cover and cropland in two time points (years 1988 and 2018) across PAs did not significantly differ. Our results further showed that ~ 747 individual maral (95% CI = 604-980) were counted across 21 regions, indicating a decline of 59% compared to 1988 across PAs. These results show that positive and significant impact rengers on the abundance and population structure of red deer (β = 0.26, 95%, CI ( 0.15-0.38), Relative importance =1), On the other hand, the results indicate that protected areas with good yields have a significant contribution to maintaining biodiversity in the Hyrcanian forests.

In line with the studies, it is suggested that protected areas focus on security for the presence of species and try to improve habitat conditions for valuable species by increasing the enforcement of laws.

Despite the significant contribution of Quercus castaneifolia C. A. Meyer in producing seedlings and reforestation in the northern provinces, there are still many problems such as establishment and survival, branching and forking, and the small and moderate growth of the seedlings. Therefore, it seems necessary to find methods to improve the quality of seedlings produced in the nursery and the growth of reforestation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the establishment and growth of Caucasian oak seedlings, obtained from 9 populations in the Hyrcanian forest in a nursery in the center of Mazandaran.

In each of the nine populations, seeds were collected from 10 individual oak trees. The collected seeds were planted in a completely random block design with three replication in the Calmardi nursery located at Nekachoob Company in Naka city. Collar diameter and height were measured, the number of branches of seedlings counted, and the percentage of branches and forks recorded in two consecutive years.

The analysis of variance resulted in the effect of population on the diameter, height, and, number of branches of biennial seedlings being significant (p<0.01). But in terms of the percentage of fork seedlings, the difference between seed origins was not significant. The highest amount of collar diameter was related to seedlings obtained from seeds of Neka lowland and Chamestan populations. The lowest amount of collar diameter is related to seedlings obtained from seeds of Daraksh and Gilan upland populations. The maximum and minimum height of biennial seedlings in the Chalmardi nursery was 53.57 cm and 37.95 cm and were related to seedlings of Neka lowland and Gilan upland origins, respectively.

In general, it was concluded that seed transfer from habitats that are less than 250 km away from the nursery would not have an adverse effect on seedlings' growth. But at a certain distance, the transfer of seedlings from the east to the west Hyrcanian forests will have a better result than the transfer of seeds from the west to the east.

Density is a determinant and key factor in the development of a forest stand. In dense stands, competition is high, development occurred late due to limited access to resources, and are highly vulnerable to natural events such as insect infestation, fire, and drought. In contrast, low-density stands will not use the resources available in the habitat efficiently and the return of invested capital will decrease. Therefore, optimal density in forest stands is effective in the optimal use of resources in the habitat and maintaining health and growth in a stand. The present study was conducted to determine the optimal density in the afforestation stands of Populus deltoides in Guilan province and by selecting four pure stands of this species at different ages that had good distribution in the province.

The characteristics of the density (number per hectare of all trees) were counted and the diameter at breast height and the total height of trees were measured within one hectare (100 × 100 meters) area sampling plots. Stand Density Index (SDI) was calculated in order to evaluate the optimal amount of density based on allometric equations.

The results indicated that the existing density in Langrood (22 years of age with 5×5 m planting distance), Siahkal (29 years of age with 3×5 m planting distance ), Shaft (38 years of age with 3×3 m planting distance), and Talesh (37 years of age and 5×3.5 m planting distance) regions were 129, 216, 325, and 190, respectively; and the optimal density was 188, 259, 379, and 337 respectively in these areas. The results indicated that the existing density in Langrood, Siahkal, Shaft, and Talesh regions were 129, 216, 325, and 190, respectively; and the optimal density was 188, 259, 379, and 337 respectively; and having no significant difference (except in Talesh area) with existing density in these areas (p< 0.05). The existing density and the optimal density diagrams relative to the diameter classes showed that the diameter classes have a good density in lower classes, the two diagrams were very close to each other and there was overlap in the low classes. The 25 cm diameter class was observed as an intersection between the two diagrams. But, there was a greater difference between the optimal density and the existing density in the higher diameter classes.

The results of this study will be a suitable guide for easy and fast comparison between the existing and ideal density according to the species growing condition in the habitat, evaluation, and decision-making of appropriate management of trees density in afforestation.

Wildfires are one of the most important challenges of natural resources management causing a lot of damages to these natural ecosystems, annually. Although, reportedly almost all of the wildfires are human caused in the Zagros region, environmental factors play a key role in fire spreading and burned area.  Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between burned area and physiographic factors (slope, aspect and elevation) from 2001 to 2018 using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) fire data.

MODIS burned area data were collected for the statistical period of 2001-2018 with the resolution of 500m include spatial and temporal information of fire incidents. Then the physiographic maps including slope (five classes), aspect (five classes) and elevation (six classes) maps of study area were prepared, using a 90m DEM. Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used to check the normal distribution of the data. Since the data did not follow the normal distribution, non-parametric tests such as Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for comparing the statistical differences between the median of burned area in different classes of physiographic factors. Furthermore, the specific burned area (SBA) index were calculated by overlaying the layers of burned area, vegetation type (rangeland and forest) and physiographic factors to remove the effect of the surface area of physiographic classes.

The results showed that the larger burned area was observed in the larger physiographic classes. In other words, the surface area of physiographic classes is the most effective factor on burned area. However, the values of specific burned area (SBA) in each classes showed a different result. In both vegetation types, the value of specific burned area index was highest in the elevation class of 500-1000m and the eastern aspect. Furthermore, the value of SBA was highest in slope class of 15-30% and more than 80% in rangelands and forests, respectively. Since the value of SBA index is not dependent to the extent of relevant physiographic classes, it could be used to indicate the natural potential of each physiographic classes for fire spreading in different regions.

It was concluded that the specific burned area in comparison with burned area is a more appropriate index for investigating the effects of physiographic factors on fire spreading.

Advances in the field of UAVs and sensors, has provided access to high-resolution images and 3D data of them can be used to monitor of forests and evaluate the characteristics of trees. In this study, low-cost UAV sensors and algorithms SFM images have been used to extract the crown height model. then Local Maxima algorithm was used to detect trees.

Current research was conducted in the Sisangan Forest Park that located in 30 km east of Nowshahr. Based on the Orthomosaic of drone images, six sample plots with 30 to 30 m dimensional were designed.

A total of 209 trees were recorded as ground reference, which allowed the algorithm to accurately detect 139 of them with the F-Score of 0.63.  Applied algorithm detected 88 points by mistake, and lost 72 trees. Our r findings showed that the less variety of species and the crown of the trees are symmetrical and in a crown diameter range, the performance of the detection algorithm is better. Also, by using LiDAR sensors, better results may be achieved. generally, the results of this investigation indicated that the in open- canopy forests with the tangier and Also, the trees are symmetrical trees, the acceptable outcome might be access.

Overall, the local Maxima algorithm did not detect single-trees. These results therefore need to be interpreted with caution in broadleaves forests.

Urban forests play an important role in mitigating the impacts of climate change by reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Quantification of carbon storage and sequestration by urban forests is critical for the assessment of the actual and potential role of urban forests in reducing atmospheric CO2. With the aim of determining the most suitable urban trees for carbon sequestration, this study compared the amount of carbon stock in biomass and litter of afforested areas in Lavizan Forest Park in Tehran.

Six 40-year forest types including Pinus eldarica-Cupressus arizonica (pure coniferous), Robinia pseudoacacia-Fraxinus sp. (pure hardwood), Robinia p.-Fraxinus and Cupressus arizonica-Robinia p. (mixed) with the largest area were selected. In each afforestation type, 25 sample plots of 100 square meters were established. In each sample plot, quantitative characteristics of trees including diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height (H), height at the beginning of the crown and two perpendicular diameters of the crown were measured. Inside each main plot, litter was collected in one square meter micro-plots. As the data were normal according to the Shapiro-Wilk Test, the means of tree quantitative variables and carbon sequestration were compared using Duncan Test. To understand the influence of most important quantitative variables on sample plot distribution, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was run in PC-ORD (ver.5).

According to the results, the maximum and minimum carbon were stored as biomass in stands of Cupressus arizonica (131.3 kg per tree) and Robinia pseudoacacia, (14.1 kg per tree), respectively. The highest and lowest carbon storage in litter belonged respectively to Pinus eldarica (1.2 tons per hectare) and Fraxinus (0.1 ton per hectare) types.

According to the result, it can be said that different plantation types have different ability to store carbon in the biomass and litter. Overall, carbon storage potential in conifers (Cupressus arizonica and Pinus eldarica) was higher than in broadleaved species (Robinia pseudoacacia and Fraxinus sp.) in the study area.