Forest Research Division

Research Subdivisions

Strategic research priorities in the various forest research divisions are as follows:

Management and Forest Inventory Research Group

  1. Development of strategic plan for sustainable management of Iranian forest ecosystems
    • Identification and indigenization of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) criteria and indicators
    • Quantification of changes in SFM indicators in order to commit for forest management
    • Determination of the variables required for field surveys (tree diameter and height, forest growth and volume, forest area, biodiversity, etc.)
    • Study and research on the approach to close-to-nature management in the forest
    • Standardization of forest ecosystems
  1. Preparation and planning of a research program on the effect of climate change on forest ecosystems
    • Detecting changes and predicting possible future changes
    • Effect of changes on forest ecosystems and the vulnerability of these ecosystems to climate and environmental changes
    • Adaptation and acclimation to ongoing and possible future changes
    • Reducing greenhouse gases and negative impacts
  1. Evaluation of the implementation of research and enforcement activities

Silviculture and Forest Ecology Research Group

  1. Common topics that can be studied in all forests of the country.
    • Investigation on ecological demands of forest tree species and shrubs
    • Monitoring and evaluation of forest ecosystems and studying the structure of the stands.
    • Study of the effect of climate change on the silvicultural characteristics and vital phenomena of forests
    • Effect of tending operations in natural and artificial forest stands
  1. Hyrcanian forests
    • Principles of close to nature silviculture
    • Investigation on structure and biodiversity in virgin (intact) forest stands
    • Study and comparison of silvicultural characteristics of Logging Ban Plan and ongoing forestry plans
  1. Forests in Irano-Turanian and Sahara-Sindian regions
    • Evaluation of land capability and forest valuation
    • Different methods of silviculture and the effects of tending operations

Forest Planting and Tree Breeding Research Group

  1. Introduction of suitable species for different purposes
    • Species adaptation
      • Suitable species for agroforestry systems
      • Suitable species for soil conservation and sand fixation
      • Suitable species for landscape design and parks
      • Suitable species for phytoremediation
      • Suitable species for wood production
  • Pioneer research projects
    • Research on water requirement of forest species
    • Study of the soil fertility optimization methods
    • Study on the most suitable plantation density for different purposes
    • Investigation on different plantation systems
    • Research on allelopathy and competition
  1. Provision of seeds for forest rehabilitation and development
    • Phenological study of forest species
    • Study of different techniques for breaking dormancy of important forest seeds
    • Methods of storing and preserving important forest seeds
    • Construction of seed orchards of important forest species
    • Selection of harvesting area for important forest seeds
    • Construction and management of seed collections
  1. Determining the optimal technique for the production of forest trees
    • Different techniques for seed coating
    • Empowering seedlings against environmental stresses
    • Research on the methods of propagation of important forest species
  1. Determining the characteristics of standard seedlings of forest species
    • Determining the most suitable age and dimensions of potted seedlings
    • Determining the most suitable age and dimensions of bare root seedlings
  1. Different techniques of forestation (tree plantation)
    • Different methods for collecting runoff
    • Different techniques for storing moisture in the soil (soil moisture)
    • Different plantation techniques
  1. Management of forestations
    • Various practices of weeding, thinning and pruning
    • Various methods of protection and conservation
    • Examination of different irrigation methods (techniques) for different purposes
  1. Monitoring of forestations
    • Study of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of planted trees
    • Study of the changes in the flora of forested areas
    • Study of the changes in the physico-chemical and biological properties of forested areas
  1. Investigation of genetic potential of forest species
    • Determination and introduction of tolerant species to environmental stresses
    • Establishing and introducing maternal elite standards
    • Protecting genetic reserves

Forest Pedology Research Group

  1. Monitoring and evaluation of soil properties in forest ecosystems

    •  Monitoring the characteristics and changes of soil physical and chemical indices in controlled (unmanaged) and managed areas

    • Monitoring and evaluation of nutritional status of forest trees (macro and micro elements)

    • Evaluation of soil biological activity in controlled and managed areas using different indices such as enzyme activity, microbial biomass and respiration

    • Monitoring and evaluation of soil biodiversity (microorganisms and macro organisms) in controlled and managed areas

    • Study and comparison of the microbial population (bacteria and fungi) involved in geochemical cycle of elements in controlled and managed areas

  1. Monitoring and evaluation of how the aforestation with different forest species affect soil and vegetation characteristics

    Effect of forest species on soil and vegetation characteristics following aforestation with different species in the Hyrcanian, Arasbaran, Iran-Turani (Zagros and center of Iran) and Sahara-Sandi vegetative areas

  1. Determination of soil biological properties and their application in rehabilitation of forest ecosystems and adaptation of forest species

    • Identification of symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi (ectomycorrhiza and vesicular arbuscular) with different tree and shrub species in different vegetative areas

    • Cultivation and propagation of mycorrhizal fungi (ectomycorrhiza and vesicular arbuscular fungi)

    • Propagation of mycorrhizal seedlings from various tree and shrub species

    • Research on application of mycorrhizal saplings in rehabilitation of degraded and fragile habitats

    • Identification of different microbial population in the rhizosphere of different species of trees and shrubs in different vegetative areas

    • Assessing the effects of climate change on soil biology of forests
    • Modeling the effect of climate change on soil biology to predict the risk of extinction of various species of trees and shrubs

Forest Logging and Socio-Economic Issues Research Group

  1. Harvesting and development of forest resources
  2. Investigation on the effects of human and livestock on the structure and changes of forest cover
  3. Investigation on the type and effect of fuel wood replacement with other energy sources
  4. Economical study of different methods of seed and seedling production and planting in the field
  5. Investigating the possibility of improving the harvest methods of forest trees (wood, seeds, fruits, ...)
  6. Examination of proper methods of exploitation of natural and artificial forests
  7. Investigation of injuries caused by harvesting in different forestry methods
  8. Study of the most suitable density of forest roads in different forestry methods
  9. Investigating and determining the proper method of tree harvesting in different forestry methods
  10. Investigating the efficiency of harvesting systems to select the appropriate system in different conditions
  11. Study of technical issues in the road construction and appropriate methods to protect and stabilize the roads.

Beech International Research Group

Within the framework of the international activities of Forest Research Division, a department called the Beech Research, co-operates with the International Forest Research Organization (IUFRO). The goal of this group is to support forest scientists and those who interested in researching in the field of ecology, forestry, genetics and forest management in Beech (Fagus) forests, which is mainly realized through international meetings and conferences.

The group hopes to create frequent opportunities for researchers and managers to meet and exchange scientific and practical knowledge that have been accumulated separately in Europe, Asia and North America. We also hope that our cooperation will serve as inspiration for students to identify interesting topics to study and interesting advisers to contact in many countries. Scientific meetings including field excursions will take place in various parts of the Fagus range.