Relationship between Soil Characteristics and Vegetation Types in Damghan

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Professor, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran , Karaj, Iran

2 Instructor, Hormozgan University, Bandar Abbas, Iran

3 MSc Graduate, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran , Karaj, Iran

4 Instructor, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

5 Associate Professor, International Desert Research Center, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Relationships between soil factors and vegetation types in playa of Damghan was investigated. Six vegetation
types including Artemisia.sieberi, Arundo. sp, Artemisia.sieberi-Peganum.harmala, Alhagi.cammelerom,
Artemisia.sieberi-petropyron.sp, Tamarix.passerinoides-Halocnemum strobilaceum. One bare land was recognized in
the study area and the research was conducted within mentioned types. Canopy percentage of plant in different types
was estimated based on randomized-systematic sampling method, within 1 m2 quadrats. Along four transects 300 m
each, 15 m2 quadrats established for estimating cover percentage in each type. Soil sampling was performed from 0-
15 and 15-50 Depths at the starting and end points of transect. Measured soil factors included EC, pH, texture, Ca2+,
Na+, Mg2+, Co32-, HCO3
-, Cl-, CaSO4, CaCO3. In order to find the relationship between soil factors and vegetation
properties, multivariate analysis was used. The results showed that separation of understudy types was mainly related
to soil characteristic including texture, Ec, Na+, Mg2+, Cl-.

Keywords