Hadi Dordaneh; Kambiz Abrari Vajari; Zia-aldin Badehian
Abstract
Introduction: The Zagros forests, which are one of Iran's most important forest ecosystems, contain a diversified vegetation that includes trees, shrubs, and herb-layer species. Identification and precise knowledge of their ecological role in this ecosystem can help in natural resources protection and ...
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Introduction: The Zagros forests, which are one of Iran's most important forest ecosystems, contain a diversified vegetation that includes trees, shrubs, and herb-layer species. Identification and precise knowledge of their ecological role in this ecosystem can help in natural resources protection and sustainable development. In order to study the effects of physiographic factors (aspect, slope, and elevation) on the woody plants species diversity and also soil carbon stock in the central Zagros, the maple tree (Acer monspessulanum Var. cinerscens) forest in Hashtadpahlu region which is located in Lorestan was selected. Material and methods: Within the forest, 37 circular plots, each measuring 1000 m2, were placed systematic-randomly for this purpose. Richness and diversity indices were calculated for woody species within plots. Soil samples were taken from a depth of 0-30 cm to measure the quantity of carbon stock in the soil and the value of soil organic carbon and bulk density for soil samples were measured.Results and discussion: In this forest, 11 different woody plant species (trees and shrubs) from seven different families were investigated. The results showed that the highest diversity of shrub species was observed in the northern aspect and the lower slopes (class of 5-20%), while the elevation has no significant effect on the shrub diversity. Also, the physiographic factors had no significant effect on shrub species richness and tree species diversity and richness. The most soil carbon stock was measured in the eastern aspect while the other physiographic factors had no significant effect on the carbon stock. The reduced carbon supply on the northern slopes relative to the rest of the slopes could be a result of heavy grazing, low density and poor vegetative quality of woody species, reduction of tree litter and other plant species and climatic conditions in this slope. As a result, the most important factors impacting the number of species diversity indices in the Acer forest are the aspect and slope.Conclusion: The richness and diversity of woody species in the Acer sp. forest are appropriate and physiographic factors have played an important role in the values of their indices. Physiographic parameters have an impact on the carbon stock of the soil. As a result, environmental variables should be considered in the management of Zagros forests due to its extensive distribution.
Tayebeh Akbari; Raziyeh Lak; Reza Shahbazi; Kamallodin Alizadeh; Ashraf Asadi; Mehrnoosh Ghadimi
Volume 13, Issue 3 , October 2015, , Pages 89-102
Abstract
Abstract: In this research we tried to investigate the respond of high part of Zagros Mountains to past climate change by studying a 300cm core was extracted from Lake Gahar. This region is as an important biome of oak forest of Iran. Then the aim of this investigation is to detect past climate condition ...
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Abstract: In this research we tried to investigate the respond of high part of Zagros Mountains to past climate change by studying a 300cm core was extracted from Lake Gahar. This region is as an important biome of oak forest of Iran. Then the aim of this investigation is to detect past climate condition by palynology and modeling. According to the pollen percentage diagram of Lake Gahar (Fig. 3, 4, 5), four main local pollen assemblage zones consisting of two older zones GHA(depth of 300 to 210 cm), GHB (210 to 65 cm depth) and two more new zones GHC (depth 65 to 30 cm) and GHD (depth 30 to 0 cm) were identified. For interpretation the pollen diagram we reconstructed the annual mean precipitation and temperature data over 40000 years by MCM (Macrophysical Climate Model). By calculation the Z-score index four major thermal and moisture period found in Gahar region: 1- Cold and dry period (40000-30000 Yr. B.P) 2- Warm and dry period (30000-20000Yr. B.P) 3- Cold and wet period (20000-11900 Yr. B.P) and 4- Warm and dry period (11900-now Yr. B.P). The indices and our data showed that two zones GHA and GHB beyond depth 300-60cm may have been exposed to cold and wet period around 20000-11900 Years B.P..The mentioned zones have vegetation of forest- steppe with dominant species of oak trees. It seems that the disappearing of arboreal pollen, especially Quercus at a depth of 50 and 60 cm at the boundary between the two zones GHB and GHC is associated with unfavorable conditions for plant growth during the last glacial period. There are also upland herbs pollen types such as Poaceae crealia types and polygonium, and also arboreal pollen such as Corylus, Juglans, olive and Vitis can be considered as evidence of the destruction of the region as a result of anthropogenic effects and heavy grazing and farming operations. It is approved that consecutive period of cold/wet and warm/dry period in the past climate of Gahar region by comparing the results with other lakes in the north west of Iran.
Seyyed Moeinoddin Zamani; Roghayeh Zolfaghari
Volume 11, Issue 1 , April 2013
Abstract
The Zagros forests are important and valuable forest ecosystems in Iran. In order to study plant species diversity and its relationship with environmental factors in the central Zagros forest ecosystems, 600 hectares of forest of the western Dena protected area were selected near Yasuj City. 50 plots ...
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The Zagros forests are important and valuable forest ecosystems in Iran. In order to study plant species diversity and its relationship with environmental factors in the central Zagros forest ecosystems, 600 hectares of forest of the western Dena protected area were selected near Yasuj City. 50 plots of 450 square meters were then established with dimensions of 15× 30 meters. So, 200 microplots of one square meter, 200 microplots of 10 square meters and 50 microplots of 45 square meters were established within the main plots. All physiographic factors, such as slope, aspect, altitude, and the physical and chemical soil properties of each plot, were collected and measured. All tree and grass species on each plot were recorded. The results showed that factors such as lime, potassium and soil texture had diverse effects on trees and grasses. Thus, by increasing lime and decreasing potassium and larger soil particles, grass biodiversity increased, while tree diversity decreased. Altitude and aspect had an affect on tree richness, and slope affected grass diversity. Lower altitudes and northern aspects showed a higher amount of richness, and the middle slope had the highest value of grass diversity. Also, the effects of soil factors on grass biodiversity were more than physiographic factors. The present study also determined that biodiversity, especially grass biodiversity, despite protection, was low in the available areas and lower slopes, due to human harvests and livestock grazing.
Ali Akbar Taghvaee; Azadeh Pashoutanizadeh; Behzad Vasiq
Volume 7, Issue 2 , January 2010
Abstract
Beside the cities of the Zagros hillsides in which Ilam is located, ecological resources have brought about significant ecological and environmental enhancement as well as ecotourism opportunities. Among these beautiful sites, residential regions play an influential role in creating and developing landscape ...
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Beside the cities of the Zagros hillsides in which Ilam is located, ecological resources have brought about significant ecological and environmental enhancement as well as ecotourism opportunities. Among these beautiful sites, residential regions play an influential role in creating and developing landscape values and this is the question under investigation in this article. This study has been performed through field research and library research through such sources as electronic sites, census data and university theses, map study (of Ilam), with the aim of introducing an ecological design for the region under discussion.
Javad Mirzaei; Moslem Akbarinia; Seyed Mohsen Hosseni; Mehrdad Kohzadi
Volume 5, Issue 3 , April 2008
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between biodiversity and the richness of woody and ground vegetation species, soil physicochemical and physiographic characteristics of the Zagros forests. This study was conducted at Arghavan reservoir in the North of Ilam Province in Iran. For this ...
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The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between biodiversity and the richness of woody and ground vegetation species, soil physicochemical and physiographic characteristics of the Zagros forests. This study was conducted at Arghavan reservoir in the North of Ilam Province in Iran. For this study, plots with a systematic distribution across the northern (n =24), southern (n =20) and western (n =13) aspects were selected and vegetation, soil and physiographic data were measured. Results showed that, in the southern aspect, ground vegetation diversity had a negative relationship with clay and sand while it had positive correlation with silt. In the northern aspect, ground vegetation diversity had a negative correlation with elevation above sea level. In the western aspect, ground vegetation diversity had a positive correlation with CaCo3 while it had negative correlation with salinity and elevation above sea level. Results also showed that, in all the aspects, woody species only had a relationship with physical factors. These results suggest that in ecological studies for assessing the relationship between vegetation and environment, soil factors should be measured for the assessment of ground vegetation and, for woody species, physical and physiographic factors.
