Abstract
This research aimed to determine diversity of herbaceous layer and morphological traits of oriental beech trees (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) among three different development stages which comprised the initial, optimal, and decay in Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran. Herb-layer species diversity indices were recorded. A total of 98 beech trees were selected randomly in development stages of beech forest and total height, diameter at breast height (DBH), crown length, height/DBH ratio, crown ratio, crown surface area, stem and crown projection ratio were measured. Decay stage showed the highest richness and diversity indices, whereas optimal stage characterized by the highest evenness index. Regarding to plant functional traits, diversity and richness values of hemichryptophytes, geophytes and graminoids in decay stage were significantly greater than other stages. The ANOVA test showed the significant differences in morphological traits of beech trees among the three development stages, with the mean values of most variables being highest in the optimal and decay stages. In general, we conclude that there are significant differences among stages of forest development, depending on forest structure influence the characteristics of beech trees and herbaceous vegetation.
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Azaryan, M., Vajari, K.A. & Amanzadeh, B. Herb-layer diversity and morphological traits of beech trees (Fagus orientalis L.) in development stages of natural temperate forests. Biologia 78, 101–108 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-022-01183-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-022-01183-8