Study of the forest vegetation on the basis of elevation gradient in Touskestan-Charbagh habitat, Golestan province

Document Type : Complete scientific research article

Authors

1 Former M.Sc. Students of soil science

2 Assistant Professor, College of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Iran

Abstract

The scientific investigation of forest vegetation distribution on the elevation
gradient of Alborz mountains range can be led to identifying natural habitats on the
basis of elevation variation. The purpose of this research is plants distribution
pattern investigation along elevation gradient which is located in North slope
aspect of Alborz Mountains in Touskestan-Charbagh, Golestan province. The
presence of plant species has been recorded on the 24 vertical transect side' roads
(12 sampling points) along the gradient of 740 to 2340 meters above sea level with
200 meter distances on this paper. Plant species in the sampled transects has been
grouped on basis of similarity and dissimilarity via TWINSPAN analysis in
PCORD 5 software. Also relationship between environmental factors (elevation,
slope, aspect, rain, temperature, relative humidity and evapotranspiration) and
vegetation has been evaluated via Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Result
showed that there are 4 distinguished plant groups (A) Tree and bush, (B) bush and
Shrub, (C) shrub and forb, (D) forb and grass. The environmental factors especially
elevation with effect on climate factors is the most effective characteristic on
distribution and division of grouping growth forms. As one or many plant species
are ecological indicators of specific range elevation.

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