Evaluation of plantation success with broad leaf species (Case study in Arak city)

I order to investigation of succese of broad leaf species plantation in Arak city, an area covered with forest strip circea 160 ha including ash tree (Fraxinus rotundifoplia) and Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) was selected. Every species was given three treatments including: an area with suitable and organized management and high social effects, an area with moderate irregular management and medium social effects and an area with low and unorganized management with low social effects. Line sampling method was used for forest inventory considering of the areaʹs strip structure. 148 samples were taken with 200 m in distance with 200 m2 area for each sample. In each sample, qualitative and quantitative characteristics recorded. T and Turkey tests were applied for quantitative data analysis and also Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-Square tests for qualitative data. Seven soil profiles were digged for investigation of soil condition in study area. In each profile, two soil samples (in depth 0-30 and 30-60 cm) were taken to analyze for determination of soil chemical and physical properties. In order to analyze soil characteristics, multi – variable analysis, e.g. principal components analysis (PCA) was exploited. The results show that area with regular management is more fertile than other treatments. The ash tree plantation is less fertile than black locust plantation. The evaluation of plantation success with these two species indicated that black locust species is regarded more preponderated than ash tree species considering quantitative characteristics and plantation establishment indices. But considering qualitative characteristics and aesthetic issues as well as visual vision are regarded, ash tree is generally possessing of more privileges.