Challenges in Managing Hyrcanian Forests with the Selective Harvesting Across 10 years (Case study: Galandroud Forestry plan, Iran)

Authors
Davoud Kartoolinejad 1
Zeinab Ahmadi Lashkenari 2
Reza Naghdi 3
1 Associate Professor of Semnan University
2 Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources & Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Mazandaran, Nour, Iran.
3 Associate Professor, Natural Resources Faculty, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
10.22034/ECOPERSIA.13.3.323
Abstract
Aims: The primary objective of close-to-nature silvicultural practices is to utilize forest ecosystem services in a sustainable manner. These approaches promote continuous-cover forestry to maintain forest stock and regeneration while allowing for the sustainable exploitation of forest resources. While numerous studies indicate that selective cutting can conserve forest resources and enhance environmental stability and quality, other research warns that improper implementation may lead to adverse effects. This study examines the execution effects of the single-selection method in District 14 of the Galandroud Forestry Plan over a 10-year harvesting period.

Materials & Methods: To assess and compare changes over ten years resulting from the implementation of selection logging, information, and inventory data from both the initial and revised plans were utilized. Data were collected using a systematic random sampling approach with circular plots (1000 m²). A total of 283 sample plots were surveyed at the beginning and end of the study period (2005-2015). The density, volume, and trunk quality of standing trees, as well as the abundance of regeneration per unit area, were calculated for each sampling plot. After calculating the silvicultural characteristics for all sampling plots, a t-test analysis was conducted to compare the beginning (2005) and the end (2015) of the period to investigate the impacts of forest management using the selection method.

Findings: The results indicated significant decreases in tree standing volume, tree density, and Lorrey’s tree height, with reductions of 63.13 m3.ha-1 (25.3%), 22 trees per hectare (18.4%), and 4.2 meters (16.7%), respectively, after 10 years of management. Consequently, a total of 53,660.5 m³ of standing volume and 18,623.5 individual trees were lost across the 850 hectares of exploited forests. Tree density for trees with a diameter greater than 95 cm remained unchanged. In comparison, the standing volume of large trees (with a DBH greater than 105 cm) increased, likely due to changes in regulations and directives from the Forests Organization of Iran concerning the utilization of thick trees. The quality of standing timber in grades 1, 3, and 4 also declined across the studied area. Furthermore, regeneration abundance for 17 major woody species in the district decreased, with the total number of seedlings dropping from 5,106 to 2,448 individuals per hectare (a 52% reduction).

Conclusion: According to the results of this research, all surveyed silvicultural and forest structural parameters in these forests indicate a state of forest destruction resulting from overharvesting and the incorrect implementation of the selective method. Overall, the failure of this forest management initiative—one of the oldest single-selection method projects in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran—was attributed to several factors, including administrative issues, exploitation rates exceeding the growth capacity of the forest stands, the recruitment of unqualified labor, the profiteering of project implementers, and a lack of proper supervision over the execution of the forest utilization plan.
Keywords
Forest sustainability
silvicultural practice
single-tree selection
uneven-aged forests
Lorrey’s mean tree height

Subjects

1. Gauthier S., Kuuluvainen T., Macdonald S.E., Shorohova E., Shvidenko A., Bélisle A.C., Vaillancourt M.A., Leduc A., Grosbois G., Bergeron Y., Morin H. Ecosystem management of the boreal forest in the era of global change. Boreal. For. Face. Clim. Change. Sustain. Manag. 2023; (pp. 3-49). Cham: Springer Int. Pub. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15988-6_1
2. Gossner M.M., Lachat T., Brunet J., Isacsson G., Bouget C., Brustel H., Brandl R., Weisser W.W., Müller J. Current near-to-nature forest management effects on functional trait composition of saproxylic beetles in beech forests. Conserv. Bio. 2013; 27(3): 605-14. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12023
3. Girona M.M., Morin H., Gauthier S., Bergeron Y. Boreal forests in the face of climate change: sustainable management. Springer Nat. 2023. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-15988-6
4. Brüllhardt M., Rotach P., Forrester D.I., Bugmann H. Sustainable regeneration in uneven-aged mixed deciduous forests managed by selection silviculture: the role of demographic structure. Forestry. 2022; 95(2): 201-14. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpab041
5. Girona M.M., Moussaoui L., Morin H., Thiffault N., Leduc A., Raymond P., Bosé A., Bergeron Y., Lussier J.M. Innovative silviculture to achieve sustainable forest management in boreal forests: lessons from two large-scale experiments. Boreal. For. Face. Clim. Change. Sustain. Manag. 2023; (pp. 417-440). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15988-6_16
6. D’Amato A.W., Palik B.J., Raymond P., Puettmann K.J., Girona M.M. Building a framework for adaptive silviculture under global change. Boreal. For. Face. Clim. Change. Sustain. Manag. 2023; pp. 359-381. Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15988-6_13
7. Molina E., Valeria O., Martin M., Montoro Girona M., Ramirez J.A. Long-term impacts of forest management practices under climate change on structure, composition, and fragmentation of the Canadian boreal landscape. Forests. 2022; 13(8): 1292. https://doi.org/10.3390/f13081292
8. Workneh Y., Wasie D. Effects of Selective Harvesting on Diversity, Structure, and Regeneration of Woody Plants in Mixed Plantation of Menagesha Suba Forest, Central Ethiopia. Int. J. For. Res. 2024; 2024(1): 3355857. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/3355857
9. Bose A.K., Alcalá-Pajares M., Kern C.C., Montoro-Girona M., Thiffault N. Complex regeneration responses of eight tree species to partial harvest in mixedwood forests of northeastern North America. For. Ecol. Manag. 2023; 529: 120672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2022.120672
10. Khanalizadeh A., Rad J.E., Amiri G.Z., Zare H., Schall P., Lexer M.J. Effects of single tree selection cutting on vascular plant species diversity components in temperate forests of Hyrcanian region. Flora. 2023; 305: 152341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.2023.152341
11. Mathieu F., Sonia R.G., Ricardo R.P., Alfredo B.F. Group selection cutting for regenerating Mediterranean Pinus pinaster plantations: gap effects on seedling survival. For. Ecol. Manag. 2023; 544: 121219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2023.121219
12. Műnzer L., Masaka K., Takisawa Y., Hein S., End C., Sugita H., Hoshino D. Analysis of Selection-Cutting Silviculture with Thujopsis dolabrata—A Case Study from Japan Compared to German Plenter Forests. Forests. 2023; 14(8): 1556. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14081556
13. Rezaei Sangdehi S.M.M., Moslemi S.M., Tafazoli M. Comparing the forest quantitative and qualitative characteristics following a period of forestry plan implementation (Case study: Watershed 65, Jojadeh zone of Farim Company, Mazandaran province). Iran. J. For. Poplar. Res. 2016; 24(4): 723-713. doi: 10.22092/ijfpr.2016.109449 [Persian]
14. Lotfi R., Hojjati S.M., Pourmajidian M.R., Espahbodi K. The effect of silvicultural methods on the structural characteristics of forest stand and soil properties in the intermediate Hyrcanian beech forests (case study: Alandan-Sari series forests). Ecol. Iran. For. 2022; 10(20): 11-22. http://ifej.sanru.ac.ir/article-1-381-en.html [Persian]
15. Anissi I., Kia D.H., Akhavan R., Babaei K.S. Impact of management on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of forest in comparison to unmanaged forest (Case study: Golband region). Iran. J. For. Poplar. Res. 2010; 17(4):615-26. [Persian]
16. Karamdost Marian B., Bonyad A., Tavankar F. Effect of harvest intensity on volume growth of mixed beech stands in Asalem Nav forests. For. Res. Dev. 2019; 4(4): 533-47. [Persian]
17. Khodaverdi S., Amiri M., Kartoolinejad D., Mohammadi J. Canopy gaps characteristics of pure and mixed stands in the Hyrcanian forests of north Iran. Ann. Silvic. Res. 2019; 43(2): 62-70. https://journals-crea.4science.it/index.php/asr
18. Kartoolinejad D., Hosseini S.M., Mirnia S.K., Akbarinia M., Shayanmehr F. The relationship among infection intensity of Viscum album with some ecological parameters of host trees. Int. J. Env. Res. 2007; 1(2): 143-49. doi: 10.22059/ijer.2010.120
19. Shayanmehr F., Jalali S., Hosseinzadeh Colagar A., Yousefzadeh H., Zare H. Pollen morphology of the genus Alnus mill. In Hyrcanian forests, north of Iran. Appl. Ecol. Environ. Res. 2015; 13(3): 833-47.
20. Rahmati Y., Nourmohammadi K., Naghdi R., Kartoolinejad D. Effect of fungal degradation on physicochemical properties of exploited stumps of oriental beech over a 25-year felling period and the obtained Kraft pulp properties. J. For. Sci. 2019; 65(3): 96–105. doi: 10.17221/93/2018-JFS
21. Hosseini S.M., Kartoolinejad D., Mirnia S.K., Tabibzadeh Z., Akbarinia M., Shayanmehr F. The effects of Viscum album L. on foliar weight and nutrients content of host trees in Caspian forests (Iran). Pol. J. Ecol. 2007; 55(3): 579-83.
22. Shayanmehr F., Jalali S.G., Colagar A.H., Zare H., Kartoolinejad D., Yousefzadeh H. Leaf cuticle and wax ultrastructure of genus Alnus Mill. in Hyrcanian forests of Iran. Int. J. Environ. Stud. 2018; 75(6): 877-90. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2018.1464278
23. Marvie Mohadjer M.R. Silviculture. University of Tehran press Publication 2709. 2005; p 387. [Persian]
24. Vahedi A.A., Motaji A., Eshaghi Rad J. Variation of soil organic carbon pool weight associated with plant biodiversity (Case study: Mixed-beech forests of Glandrood in Nour). Iran. J. Appl. Ecol. 2014; 3(7): 1-2.‎doi: 20.1001.1.24763128.1393.3.7.2.0 [Persian]
25. Hassanzad Navroodi I., Sadatmahaleh H. Comparison of quantitative and qualitative characteristics in managed and unmanaged natural forest stands at district 7-Shenrood (Siahkal). J. Plant. Res. 2015; 28(1): 103-15. doi: 20.1001.1.23832592.1394.28.1.10.5
26. Navrodi I.H., Seyyedi N., Seifolahian H.R. Evaluation of quantitative and qualitative forest stands changes during a period of forest management plan (case study: Janbe sara district-Guilan). Iran. J. For. 2009; 1(4): 301-311.
27. Omidvar A., Payam H., Fallah Chay M.M., Hemmati V., Ebadi A. Study of regeneration of natural beech stand in two Shelterwood and single tree selection silvicultural systems (case study Siyahkal forests). J. Biol. Sci. 2008; 2(4): 1-3. [Persian]
28. Zobeiry M. 1994. Forest Inventory. University of Tehran Press, Tehran, 401p. [Persian]
29. Lotfalian M. 2013. Forest logging, Aiizh Press, 467p. ISBN 978-964-970-319-0. Tehran. [Persian]
30. dos Santos Vieira D., de Oliveira M.L., Gama J.R., Machado E.L., Oliveira B.L., Figueiredo A.S. Lorey height for vertical stratification of an Alluvial Ombrophilous Forest. Bosque. 2020; 41(3): 321-31. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0717-92002020000300321
31. Wang Y., Kershaw J.A., Ducey M.J., Sun Y., McCarter J.B. What diameter? What height? Influence of measures of average tree size on area-based allometric volume relationships. For. Ecosyst. 2024; 11: 100171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fecs.2024.100171
32. Amiri M. Silvicultural characteristics of an unlogged mixed oriental beech stand in the Golesatan Province. J. Plant. Res. 2018; 31(3): 539-55. doi: 20.1001.1.23832592.1397.31.3.5.5 [Persian]
33. Eshaghirad J., Seyedi N., Hasanzad N.I. Effect of single selection method on woody species diversity (case study: Janbe sara district-Guilan). Iran. J. Forest. 2010; 1(4): 275-285. [Persian]
34. Sagheb Talebi K., Parjizkar P., Hassani M., Amanzadeh B., Hemmati A., Khanjani Shiraz B., Amini M., Mohammadnezhad Kiasari S., Mirkazemi S.Z., Karimidoost A.A., Maghsudloo K. Regeneration and establishment of natural young generation in intact oriental beech stands of Hyrcanian forests. For. Res. Dev. 2020; 6(3): 519-41. doi:10.30466/jfrd.2020.120874
35. Amiri M. Effect of a Windstorm on Gaps Structural Characteristics in the Different Forest Stands in Darabkola Region, Mazandaran Province. ECOPERSIA. 2023; 11(4): 291-306. https://ecopersia.modares.ac.ir/article-24-70323-en.html
36. Bayat M., Namiranian M., Zobeiri M., Fathi J. Determining growth increment and density of trees in forest, using permanent sample plots (case study: gorazbon district of kheyroud forest). Iran. J. For. Poplar Res. 2013; 21(3): 424-38. doi: 10.22092/ijfpr.2014.4723
37. Amiri M., Dargahi D., Azadfar D., Habashi H. Comparison Structure of the natural and managed Oak (Quercus castaneifolia) Stand (shelter wood system) in Forest of Loveh, Gorgan. J. Agric. Sci. Nat. Resur. 2009. 15(6): 33-43.
38. Daliri H.K., Akhavan R., Anissi I. Timber marking and its impact on forest stand (case study: Shourab District of Golband Region). Iran. J. For., 2011; 3(1): 49-59. [Persian]
39. Radaei M., Habashi H. The effect of harvesting intensity in the single tree selection system on mixed Hornbeam stand characteristics. Journal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology. 2022; 29(2): 137-52. doi: 10.22069/jwfst.2022.20470.1975 [Persian]
40. Balabandi H., Shaabanian N. Investigating the Crown Structure and Carbon Storage of Beech Trees (Fagus orientalis L.) in an Unmanaged-Temperate Hyrcanian Region (Case Study: Alandan Forest, Mazandaran). ECOPERSIA. 2023; 11(2): 153-61. https://ecopersia.modares.ac.ir/article-24-68649-en.html