Among the broad-leaved temperate forests of the northern hemisphere, Iran s Hyrcanian forests are very particular. The Hyrcanian forest ecosystem is considered to be one of the last remnants of natural deciduous forest in the world. In this area beech survived intense climate and geological changes during the Quaternary, which occurred despite the fact that this area was not covered by ice and therefore was only indirectly influenced by the glaciations. Hyrcanian commercial forests in Iran were nationalized in 1963. Since then, the area has declined significantly from 3.4 to less than 1.3...

Among the broad-leaved temperate forests of the northern hemisphere, Iran s Hyrcanian forests are very particular. Pure and mixed beech forests are the most important elements of this ecosystem, making up the richest and the most beautiful forests of Iran. Beech forests represent about 18 % of Hyrcanian forests surface and form about 30 % of forest trees volume in Iran, which forms the most valuable stands in Hyrcanian zone and allocate the most rate of timber production in Iran. The two main technical reasons for decline of beech in these forests are unsuitable harvesting methods during the...