Dergi makalesi Açık Erişim

Structure and Development in Subalpine Pure Oriental Spruce (Picea orientalis (L.) Link) Stands in Turkey

2010    Yucesan, Zafer; Ucler, Ali Omer; Oktan, Ercan

It is necessary to model, analyze and evaluate the stand structure on account of understanding, improvement and management of high mountain forests. Stand structures in high mountain forests play an effective role against natural hazards such as erosion, torrent, overflowing, landslide, avalanche, stone and rock fall. Stand structure is also closely related with biodiversity and habitat richness. So it is also important for nature and wild life protection. High mountain stand structures of pure oriental spruce have not been studied in Turkey yet. For that reason, natural pure oriental spruce (Picea orientalis (L.) Link) stands in timberline and treeline were selected as material in the present study. No silvicultural treatment has been carried out in the study area. 11 sampling units were established and in each unit treeline and timberline were sampled with 22 sampling plots in total. Diameter, height and age structures of treeline and timberline stands were examined and compared. According to the obtained results most of frequency distributions of dbh and height are like a reverse J shape in treeline but generally they are in normal distribution in timberline. While age variables in treeline exhibited large intervals, in the timberline we found closer intervals.