<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">In Safragashteh forest of Fuman in north of Iran, there is a hazel stand, which has grown naturally. The aim of this research was to evaluate the plant communities and soil characteristics in the area. This study included 50 ha of hazel protected area. A selective sampling method was utilized to record 30 400 m2 for tree and shrub layers, and sub-plots of 100 m2 for herbaceous species. Soil samples were collected at the 30 plots. We found three ecological species groups in the study area. <italic>Corylus avellana</italic> and <italic>Epimedium</italic> pinnatum in first group, <italic>Fagus orientalis</italic>, <italic>Asperula odorata</italic>, <italic>Euphorbia amygdaloides</italic>, <italic>Carex</italic> sp., <italic>Fragaria vesca</italic> and <italic>Viola sylvestris</italic> in second group, and <italic>Crataegus microphylla</italic>, <italic>Ilex spinigera</italic>, <italic>Primula heterochroma</italic>, <italic>Sedum stoloniferum</italic> and <italic>Vicia crocea</italic> in thirth group were the indicator species. Sand percent was significantly highest in <italic>Corylus avellana</italic> group, while clay, nutrients elements, pH and SP were significantly highest in the other groups. Biodiversity indices in <italic>Corylus avellana</italic> group were significantly less than other stands. We recommend to provide comprehensive conservation and management programs in order to protect of common hazel, associated plant species, and to prevent of human activities such as recreational use and livestock.</abstract>

In Safragashteh forest of Fuman in north of Iran, there is a hazel stand, which has grown naturally. The aim of this research was to evaluate the plant communities and soil characteristics in the area. This study included 50 ha of hazel protected area. A selective sampling method was utilized to record 30 400 m2 for tree and shrub layers, and sub-plots of 100 m2 for herbaceous species. Soil samples were collected at the 30 plots. We found three ecological species groups in the study area. Corylus avellana and Epimedium pinnatum in first group, Fagus orientalis, Asperula odorata, Euphorbia amygdaloides, Carex sp., Fragaria vesca and Viola sylvestris in second group, and Crataegus microphylla, Ilex spinigera, Primula heterochroma, Sedum stoloniferum and Vicia crocea in thirth group were the indicator species. Sand percent was significantly highest in Corylus avellana group, while clay, nutrients elements, pH and SP were significantly highest in the other groups. Biodiversity indices in Corylus avellana group were significantly less than other stands. We recommend to provide comprehensive conservation and management programs in order to protect of common hazel, associated plant species, and to prevent of human activities such as recreational use and livestock.

Plant ecological groups and soil properties of common hazel (<italic>Corylus avellana</italic> L.) stand in Safagashteh forest, north of Iran

University of Guilan, Faculty of Natural Resources, Department of Forestry, Sowmehsara, P.O. Box 1144, Guilan, Iran, phone: +981344323599, fax: 981344323600

Folia Forestalia Polonica

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Plant ecological groups and soil properties of common hazel ( L.) stand in Safagashteh forest, north of Iran

In Safragashteh forest of Fuman in north of Iran, there is a hazel stand, which has grown naturally. The aim of this research was to evaluate the plant...

Plant ecological groups and soil properties of common hazel (Corylus avellana L.) stand in Safagashteh forest, north of Iran

Published Online: Mar 07, 2016

Page range: 245 - 250

Received: Oct 01, 2015

Accepted: Nov 16, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ffp-2015-0026

Keywords
L., ecological species groups, conservation, soil properties, north of Iran

© 2015 Hassan Pourbabaei et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Plant ecological groups and soil properties of common hazel (Corylus avellana L.) stand in Safagashteh forest, north of Iran

Published Online: Mar 07, 2016

Page range: 245 - 250

Received: Oct 01, 2015

Accepted: Nov 16, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ffp-2015-0026

KeywordsL., ecological species groups, conservation, soil properties, north of Iran

© 2015 Hassan Pourbabaei et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
L., ecological species groups, conservation, soil properties, north of Iran