Transect-Plot Inventory, a Method for Arid and Semi Arid Forest: Case Study Rahim Abad Pistachio Forest

Determining the proper inventory method in arid and semi arid region is of great importance, hence transect-plot inventory method was proposed. Rahim Abad Pistachio forest with an area about 1882 ha located in 75 km of north of Mashhad city. These forests belong to arid and semi arid floristic regions. Transect-plot method was employed in these forests. This method integrates sampling with Transect and permanent plots. According to the results, these forest are coppice with standard and Pistacia, Amygdalus, Atraphaxis, Zygophyllum, and other species Constitute 26, 30, 25, 14 and 5 percent of species composition. These forests are enclosures and degradation effects due to cattle´s are observed. Regeneration Situations are not satisfactory and most of the trees have been attacked by pests and diseases. The results showed that the canopy cover in pistachio forest is 4.54 and the density of trees per hectare is 160.72 (Pistacia 42, Amygdalus 48, Zygophyllum 23, Atraphaxis 40 and other species 8 individuals per hectare). The regeneration percentage of total measured trees and shrubs is 21% of which Atraphaxis, Amygdalus, Pistacia and Zygophyllum constitute 50, 31, 13, 6%, respectively. These forests were studied in forestry and silviculture points of view. Due to conservation and environmental aspect of Rahim Abad pistachio forests, they to be planned for development and area extension, till their sustainability continues for future.