Journal of Environmental Biology

Natural tree collectives of  pure oriental spruce [Picea orientalis (L.) Link] on mountain forests in Turkey

 

Ali Omer Ucler *, Zafer Yucesan,  Ali Demirci, Hakki Yavuz and Ercan Oktan

Faculty of Forestry, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon-61080, Turkey

(Received: December 14, 2005 ; Revised received: July 02, 2006 ; Accepted: August 11, 2006)

Abstract: Distribution area of oriental spruce [Picea orientalis (L.) Link.] in the world is only in the north-east of Turkey and Caucasian. Because of being the semi monopoly tree with respect to its distribution and representing the upper forest line, it is necessary to analyse, evaluate and model the stand structures of oriental spruce forests in Turkey. In this research, some sampling plots were selected in timberline and treeline in the subalpine forest zone in Turkey. In these sampling plots some information about occurrence and development of the tree collectives was obtained. A total of 12 sampling plots (6 in timberline and 6 of them in treeline) were studied and horizontal and vertical stand profiles were obtained, while number of trees ranges between 2-86 in the tree collectives in treeline and in timberline 3-12. According to this, area per tree in treeline and in timberline is determined as 1.02 m² and 3.75 m² on an average respectively. Mean age of trees to reach breast height is 43 years in treeline sampling plots and 22 years in timberline sampling plots. According to the ratio of h (mean height) / d_1.30 (diameter at breast height), stand stability values were calculated and it was determined if the stands were stable on the basis of the sampling plots. Stability values of the sampling plots changed between 33 and 75.

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