Restoration of oak forests in soils compacted by human and livestock.

Soil in the oak forests of northern Iran is compacted by human and livestock whereas this problem is resulted to a defect in natural regeneration of tree species. This investigation aims to determine the suitable rehabilitation of these forests using seed sowing of oak in canopy densities of 25-30% (open canopy), 45-55% (semi-closed canopy) and 65-75% (relatively closed canopy). For this purpose, each canopy density specified within the plots of 1000 m2 was chosen in three replicates to plant oak acorn. The experiment was conducted as completely randomized design. The results in the first growing season indicted that seed germination rate as well as root length was greater in open canopy but no significant difference could be detected in terms of collar diameter, shoot growth, flush number and root/shoot ratio. The investigation reveals that for restoration of the soil-compacted oak stands, open canopies are better suited for seed sowing of oak.