ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Distribution of Vegetation Type according
to Edaphic Properties and Topography in Iran
Mohammad Ali Zare Chahouki, Farzaneh Khojasteh, Ali Tavili
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Department of Reclamation of Arid and Mountainous Regions, Natural Resources Faculty,
University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2012;21(4):1071-1077
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The current research was carried out to find the most effective environmental factors in plant species distribution.
For this purpose, a study was conducted in the Taleghan rangelands of Tehran province. Based on a
vegetation map and field surveys, indicator vegetation types were identified. Within each type, 3 parallel transects
with 150 m length, each containing 15 quadrates (according to vegetation variations) were established.
The sampling method was randomized systematic. Quadrat size was determined for each vegetation type using
the minimal area method. The floristic list and canopy cover percentage were determined in each quadrat. The
topographic conditions (elevation from sea, aspect, and slope) were recorded in quadrat locations. Soil samples
were taken from 0-30 cm in starting and ending points of each transect. Measured soil properties included
depth, texture, organic matter, lime, pH, electrical conductivity, nitrogen, and potassium. To determine the
most environmentally effective factors on plant distribution, multivariate techniques, including the principal
component analysis (PCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) methods were applied. The results
indicated that edaphically factors such as texture, potassium, and organic matter play a main role in the distribution
of plant species.