Khaled Al-Issa* (1) Ahmed Jairodia(1) and Amer Agha (2)
(1). Renewable Natural Resources and Environment Department, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Damascus University. Syria.
(2). Forestry and Environment Department, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Al-Furat University. Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Eng. Khaled Al-Issa, khaled.wfp@hotmail.com ).
Received: 20/11/2023 Accepted: 9/3/2024
Abstract:
The study was aims to evaluate the growth of Populus euphratica trees in their natural distribution areas in the lower Euphrates basin in five different sites: Al-Tebni site (L1), Al-Baghiliya site (L2), Hawijat Saqr site (L3), Al-Mariya site (L4), and Al-Mayadin site (L5). It was implemented in the period between 2021-2022. Growth indicators (diameter at chest height, height, density, volume) and wood productivity (woody reserve) were studied at the rate of three replicates at each site, with an area of 200 m2 for each repeater, and the results of the measurements indicated that the Populus euphratica was superior in Al-Tebni site in terms of growth and wood productivity indicators, as the wood reserves within an area of 1 hectare reached to 359.69 m3/ha, while the wood reserve in the Al-Baghiliyah site reached an area of 1 hectare amounted to 159.29 m3, which is the lowest value among the studied sites. The decrease in productivity in the studied sites is due to reasons related to human activity and encroachments by local residents, in addition to environmental climatic factors and soil quality, which contribute effectively and fundamentally to determining this productivity.
Keywords: Populus euphratica, lower Euphrates basin, growth indicators, wood reserves.
Full paper in Arabic: PDF