Influence of Environmental Factors on Distribution of Plant Species in Nodushan Rangelands of Yazd Province (Iran)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Plant Protection, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran

2 Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

3 Department of Forestry, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

4 Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Yazd, Iran

5 College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the species-environment relationships in arid and semi-arid rangelands
of Nodushan, Yazd. The plant species cover and the environmental variables were measured at 9 sites. Soil samples
were taken for measurement of 12 attributes in 0-10 cm and 10-80 cm layers. Vegetation was classified using twoway
indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN). Data was analyzed using the ordination method of canonical
correspondence analysis (CCA). Results showed that soil texture, organic matter, gypsum, salinity, C/N ratio, and
elevation greatly affected the distribution of vegetation. Anabasis aphylla reflected the high salinity and saturation
moisture content of soils. Ephedra strobilacea reflected a high level of soil gypsum and a high C/N ratio. Artemisia
aucheri was characterized by a gradient of increasing elevation, high organic matter, and available water.
Determining the vegetation-environment relationships at these sites facilitates the improvement and reclamation of
arid and semi-arid shrubland ecosystems.

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