Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Research Assist. Prof., Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Ardabil Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ardabil, I.R. Iran
2
Research Assoc. Prof., Forest Research Department, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, I.R. Iran
Abstract
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.) is one of the valuable, rare and endangered shrub species in Andabil forest reserve. This study aimed to determine the relationship between vegetation properties of Rowan with soil and physiographic factors in Andabil forest reserve. For this purpose, from 1940 to 2540 m.a.s.l, 34 circular sample plots with an area of 500 m2, in three landforms (ridge, valley, and slope) in four aspects (north, south, east, and west) were selectively established and quantitative characteristics of Rowan were measured. In addition, within each sample plot, a mixture of soil samples was collected from 0 to 40 cm and some of the physical and chemical properties were measured in the laboratory. In order to study the relationship between Rowan distribution and edaphic characteristics, the principal component analysis was applied. The results of two-way analysis of variance along with the interaction between land form and aspect on the mean of quantitative characteristics showed that it has a significant effect on the quantitative characteristics such as the number of tree in hectare, height, collar diameter and crown diameter. The highest mean N/ha (131.2) in southern aspects and ridge landform, collar diameter (9.1cm), crown diameter (2.1m) and height (3.1m) were measured in southern aspects and slope landform. Soil texture in Rowan habitats is loam to clay- loam with pH (6.1 to 6.7), EC (0.52 to 0.97 ds/m), N% (0.30 to 0.75), OC% (3.24 to 6.22) and CaCO3% (5.21 to 16.1) were measured. The PCA analysis showed that the presence of this species in slope sites with EC, N%, Silt and CaCO3 and in ridge sites with OC% was more correlated. In general, it can be stated that the number of trees per hectare in the ridges and the increase of the quantitative characteristics of this species in the southern aspects on slopes landform in the range of 1940 to 2540 m.a.s.l. with loam- clay texture have provided more favorable conditions in term of quantitative characteristics for the growth of this species.
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