A Classification of Juniperus excelsa M.Bieb. Communities and Analysis of Vegetation in Relation to Environmental Variables (Case Study: Some Parts of Alborz Mountains, Iran)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistnt Professor, Faculty of Desert Studies, Semnan University, Semnan, I.R. Iran

2 Professor, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, I.R. Iran

3 Ph.D., Department of Botany, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, I.R. Iran

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, I.R. Iran

Abstract

Mountainous forest communities of Irano-Turanian vegetation region are characterized with Juniperus excelsa. These forests have involved too many changes in the past and nowadays mostly are not integrated. But there are still some dense or broad stands. In this research, we have studied such these communities and their ecological properties in north of Tehran to northwest of Semnan province. A data set including floristic data according to Braun-Blanquet method and environmental variables were provided. To classify the vegetation, TWINSPAN and analyzing vegetation data with JUICE, and to investigate the species-environment relationship, ANOVA and Ordination (CCA and PCA) was used. According to the results, the vegetation was classified into six groups which were specific in floristic composition and ecological characteristics, and were described by their site properties, constant and indicator species. These groups took placed in three forest communities: Juniperus excelsa - Rhamnus pallasii, J. excelsa - Cotoneaster nummularius and J. excelsa - Lonicera iberica. The first one is significantly related to lower altitude and soils with poor nitrogen and organic matters, the second community is interested in upper lands and nutrient soils with a high saturated water capacity and the third one comprises stands impressed by the moist climate of the Hyrcanian region. 

Keywords

References

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Forest and Wood Products
Volume 66, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
October 2013
Pages 277-292

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