The estimation of dendrometric characteristics of cork oak crown: a tool for sustainable management of Hafir forest (western Algeria)

Abstract

The study of the descriptive parameters of the cork oak crown in Hafir forest (western Algeria) was carried out on 14 sample plots of 10 ares. Projection area, diameter, volume, maximum area, vital spacing quotient, crown competition factor, and ideal density were determined for each plot. The results obtained show that the studied settlements were composed mainly of small wood whose diameter varies between 7.5 and 22.5 cm. The cork oak crown is characterized by a diameter ranging from 1.85 m to 5.08 m, a projection surface ranging between 4.77 m 2 and 35.28 m 2 , a volume of 3.50 m 3 to 45.08 m3 and a maximum surface ranging from 4.48 m 2 to 32.88 m 2 . Plots 7, 11 and 12 represent respectively 37%, 36% and 40% span scales, which results in a very strong competition between crowns. The ideal densities calculated for plots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13 and 14 are higher than the current densities, so it is essential to practice reforestation operations. The opposite case is recorded for plots 7, 11 and 12 which have an excess of stems, hence the interest of starting thinning work.