Ecological study of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) in West Azarbaijan province

Introduction: The present study investigates the ecological status of Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) habitats in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. The main objective is to elucidate the ecological conditions influencing the growth and development of this plant species in the region. Given the scarcity of regional data, this research aims to determine the appropriate habitat specifications for the cultivation and natural regeneration of Sumac in the province. Emphasizing the identification of ecological characteristics of these habitats for sustainable management and restoration constitutes a significant portion of this research’s goals.
Method: This research was conducted in the central and southern parts of West Azerbaijan Province. Three habitats in Sardasht County (one natural and two semi-natural) and two natural habitats in Urmia County were selected as sample sites. Sampling was carried out using a systematic-random method. Soil samples (0–30 cm depth), fruit production (cluster weight), and quantitative species variables, including shrub height, diameter at breast height (DBH), canopy cover, collar diameter, number of clusters, number of sprouts, tree density, and number of stems per unit were evaluated. Given the extent of the habitats, three 200-meter longitudinal transects were established in each site. Along these transects, sample plots (3×3 m) were selected at 10-meter intervals for data collection. Two-way cluster analysis was performed between soil variables and biological variables, as well as among the habitats, to determine the similarities and dissimilarities between these factors. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and two-way clustering were performed using the PAleontological STatistics (PAST) software, version 3.04.
Results: Soil analysis results indicated variations in soil properties across the five studied habitats. Soil pH ranged from 7.0 to 7.9, salinity from 0.33 to 0.73 µS/cm, calcium carbonate from 0.93% to 1.87%, available phosphorus from 7.1 to 19 ppm, available potassium from 73.3 to 276 ppm, and organic carbon from 0.92% to 1.54%. A positive and significant correlation was observed between soil silt percentage and fruit weight per plant. The correlation coefficient between Sumac shrub height and soil potassium showed a significant negative relationship between these two parameters. Results from the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicate that the most significant factors influencing Sumac growth and development are soil potassium levels and soil texture (silt and sand percentages).
Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that the most important parameters influencing the differentiation of Sumac habitats in West Azerbaijan are fruit weight per plant, annual precipitation, soil potassium, and soil texture. Sumac’s dependency on water for reproductive growth and its requirement for sunlight are other key factors in determining habitat suitability. Furthermore, a complex relationship was observed between vegetative and reproductive growth, underscoring the importance of balancing these two growth aspects to maximize fruit production. These findings can provide a foundation for sustainable management, habitat restoration, and the selection of suitable sites for the cultivation and development of this valuable species.