The relationship between physiographic factors and woody plants diversity and soil carbon stock in the central Zagros forests (Case study: Hashtadpahlu, Lorestan)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Lorestan, Khorramabad, Iran

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 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.

Keywords

References

Abrari Vajari, K. and Veiskarami, G.H., 2005. Floristic study of Hashtad – Pahlu region in Khorramabad (Lorestan). Pajouhesh and Sazandegi. 67, 58-64. (In Persian with English abstract).
Barens, B.V., 1998. Forest Ecology. John Wiley and Sons, USA, New York.
Boll, T., Svenning, J.C., Vormisto, J., Normand, S., Grández, C. and Balslev, H., 2005. Spatial distribution and environmental preferences of the piassaba palm Aphandra natalia (Arecaceae) along the Pastaza and Urituyacu rivers in Peru. Forest Ecology and Management. 213(1), 175-183.
Coker, P. and Kentt, M., 2001.Vegetation Description and Data Analysis (Translated by: M. Mesdaghi), Jahade Daneshgahi of Mashad, Mashhad, Iran.
Bo, W., Peng, D., Guo, J. and Du, Z., 2021. Current patterns of plant diversity and phylogenetic structure on the Kunlun Mountains, Plant Diversity.(2021), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2021.04.007
Danesh, M., 2000. Biodiversity. Environmental Protection Organization Press,Tehran, Iran.
Christensen, M. and Emborg, J., 1996. Biodiversity in natural versus managed forest in Denmark. Forest Ecology and Management. 85(1), 47-51.
Enright, N.J., Miller, B.P. and Akhter, R., 2005. Desert vegetation and vegetation-environment relationships in Kirthar National Park, Sindh, Pakistan. Journal of Arid Environments. 61(3), 397-418.
Falaychy, M., Firozian, M., Yousofi, M., Panahlu, H. and Felaychy, S., 2007. Investigation some growth characteristics of mastic (Pistacia mutica) in forests Mah Pervez Yasouj. Journal of Biology. 3(1), 29-41.( In Persian with English abstract) .
Fatahi, M., 2007. Distibution of Quercus libani Oliv. and its typology in Iran. Institute of Forests and Ranges, Tehran,Iran. (In Persian).
Fatahi, M., 2010. Management of Zagros forests (Case study:Darbadam forests of Kermanshah). Institute of Forests and Ranges Researches. Tehran, Iran. (In Persian)
Feizian, M., 1992. Physicochemical properties of soil classification study mineralogical and Nuzhiyan Khorramabad. MS thesis, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. (In Persian)
Georgiev, K. B., Beudert, B., Bässler, C., Feldhaar, H., Heibl, C., Karasch, P., … and Thorn, S., 2021. Forest disturbance and salvage logging have neutral long-term effects on drinking water quality but alter biodiversity. Forest Ecology and
Management. (2021), doi: 10.1016/j.foreco. 2021.11935
Ghazanshahi, J., 1996. Analysis of Soil and Plant, Homa Press, Tehran, Iran. (In Persian).
Ghahreman, A., 1991-2000. Colour flora of Iran, vol 1-20. Institute of Forests and Rangeland Researches. Tehran,Iran (In Persian) .
Grüneberg, E., Schöning, I.., Hessenmöller, D., Schulze, E. D. and Weisser, W. W., 2013. Organic layer and clay content control soil organic carbon stocks in density fractions of differently managed German beech forests. Forest Ecology and Management. 303, 1-10.
Haghgooy, T. and Pourbabaei, H., 2012. Presentation of flora, life form and chorotype of plants in Sadetarik Forest Park, Roudbar, Guilan. Iranian Journal of Forest. 3 (4), 331-340. (In Persian with English abstract) .
Hua, Y., 2002. Distribution of plant species richness along elevation gradient in Hubei Province, China, International Institute for Earth System Science, Nanjnng University, China.
Kandel , P., Chettri, N., Chaudhary, R.P., Badola, H.K., Gaira , K.S., Wangchuk, S., Bidha, N., Uprety, Y. and Sharma, E., 2019. Plant diversity of the Kangchenjunga Landscape, Eastern Himalayas. Plant Diversity.(2019),
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2019.04.006
Lund, H. G., Dallmeier, F. and Alonso, A., 2004. Biodiversity in forest. Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences, Elsevier Press, Netherland,1, 33-40.
Luo, X., Hou, E., Zhang, L. and Wen, D., 2020. Soil carbon dynamics in different types of subtropical forests as determined by density fractionation and stable isotope analysis. Forest Ecology and Management. (2020), doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2020.11840
Maguran, A. E., 2004. Ecological diversity and its measurement, Chapman and hall. London,England.
Mahdavi, A., Heydari, M., Bastam, R. and Abdollah, H., 2010. Vegetation in relation to some edaphic and physiographic characteristics of site (case study: Zagros Forest ecosystem, Kabirkuh protected area, Ilam). Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research. 17(4), 581-593. (In Persian with English abstract).
Mahdavi, A., Heydari, M. and Eshaghi Rad, J., 2011. Investigation on biodiversity and richness of plant species in relation to physiography and physico-chemical properties of soil in Kabirkoh protected area. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research. 18(3), 426-436. (In Persian with English abstract).
Mahmoudi Taleghani, E., ZahediAmiri, G.H., Adeli, A. and Sagheb-Talebi,KH., 2006. Assessment of carbon sequestration in soil layers of managed forest. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research. 15(3), 241-252. (In Persian with
English abstract).
Måren, I.E., Karki, S., Prajapati,C., Yadav, R.K. and Shresth, B.B., 2015. Facing north or south: Does slope aspect impact forest stand characteristics and soil properties in a semiarid trans-Himalayan valley? Journal of Arid Environments.(121),112-118.
Mark, A. F., Dickinson, K. J. and Hofstde, R. G., 2000. Alpine vegetation, Plant distribution, Life form, and environments a humid New Zealand region. Arctile Antarctic and Alpine Research. (32), 240-254.
Marofi, H., 2001. Study of ecological needs of Quercus libani Oliv. In Kordestan province, MS.C. Thesis, Imamkhomaini high education center, Iran.
Matthew, B., Russell, M.M., D'Amato ,A.M., Schulz ,B.K., Woodall, C.W., Domke, G.M. and Bradford, J.B.,2014. Quantifying understorey vegetation in the US Lake States: a proposed framework to inform regional forest carbon stocks.
Forestry. 87 (5), 629-638.
Mesdaghi, M. and Rashtian, A., 2005. An investigation on plant richness and floristic composition of Yakeh Chanar winter rangelands in Golestan Provincem.Journal Agriculture Scince Natural Resource, 12(1), 27-36. (In Persian with
English abstract) .
Mirzaei, J., Akbarinia, M., Hosseini, S.M., Sohrabi, H. and Hosseinzade, J., 2008a. Biodiversity of herbaceous species in relation to physiographic factors in forest ecosystems in Central Zagros. Journal of Iranian Biology. 20(4),375-382. (In Persian with English abstract) .
Mirzaei, J., Akbarinia, M., Hosseini, S.M., Tabari, M. and Jalali, G.H., 2008b. Comparison of regeneration density of woody species in relation to physiographic factors and soil in Zagros forests. Journal of Pejouhesh and Sazanddeghi. 77, 16-23. (In Persian with English abstract) .
Muscolo, A., Sidari, M., Bagnato, S., Mallamaci, C. and Mercurio, R., 2010. Gap size effects on above-and below-ground processes in a silver fir stand. European journal of forest research. 129(3), 355-365.
Pandey, S.S., Maraseni, T.N. and Cockfield ,G., 2014. Carbon stock dynamics in different vegetation dominated community forests under REDD+: A case from Nepal. Forest Ecology and Management.(237), 40–47.
Perma, R. and Shataei Joybari, S., 2010. Effect of physiographic and human on canopy cover and woody species diversity in Zagros forest (case study: protected forests, Ghalajeh, Kermanshah). Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research.18(4), 539-555. (In Persian with English abstract).
Pourbabaei, H. and Dado, K., 2006. Species diversity of Woody plants in forest of kelardasht, series No. 1, Mazandaran. Iranian journal of Biology. 18 (4), 539-555. (In Persian with English abstract) .
Prietzel, J. and Christophel, D., 2014. Organic carbon stocks in forest soils of the German Alps. Geoderma, 221-222, 28-39.
Razavi, S. A., 2009. The effect of physiographic factors on quantitative characteristics of forest types (Case Study; Vaz Research Forest). Journal of Wood & Forest Science and Technology. 16(3), 121-134. (In Persian with English abstract) .
Salick, J., Anderson, J., Woo, R., Sherman, N., Cili, A. and Dorje, S., 2004. Tibetan ethnobotany and gradient analyses: Menri (Medicine Mountains), Eastern Himalayas, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Economic Botany. 59(4), 312-325.
Schulp Catharina, J. E., Verburg, P. H., De R. and Wall, W., 2008. Effect of tree species on carbon stocks in forest floor and mineral soil and implications for soil carbon inventories. Forest Ecology and Management. 256, 482-490.
Sekhavati, N., Akbarinia, M., Zanganeh, H. and Mirzaei, J., 2010. Effect of topography on plant diversity in Cerasus mahaleb (L.) Mill sites in forests of Kermanshah Province. Journal of Forests and Ranges. 97, 24-32. (In Persian with English abstract).
Shabani, S., Akbarinia, M., Jalali, S. GH. and Aliarab, R. A., 2010. The effect of physiographic factors on plant species diversity in forest gaps (case study: Lalis forest, Chalous). Journal of Iranian Biology. 23(3), 418-429. (In Persian with
English abstract) .
Sharafieh, H. and Sagheb Talebi, K.H., 2012. Investigation on some silvicultural and habitat characteristics of Quercus macranthera. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research. 20(3), 429-443. (In Persian with English abstract) .
Sharifi, M. and Ghafouri, M., 2009. Fundamentals of ecology and environment problems, Jahade Daneshghahi of Mashhad Press, Mashad, Iran.
Sheikholaslami, A., Yazdian, F. and Kialashki, M., 2008. Study on cover of tree and shrub species, Kojur region (Noshahr). Journal of Pejouhesh and Sazanddeghi. 74, 175-184. (In Persian with English abstract).
Singh, G., Bala, N., Chaudhuri, K. and Meena, R.L., 2003. Carbon sequestration potential of common access resources in arid and semi-arid region of northwestern India. Indian forester, 129(7): 859-864.
Sohrabi, H. and Akbarinia, M., 2005. Investigating plant species diversity in relation to physiographic factors in Dehsorkh of Jananroud, Kermanshah province. Journal of Forest and Poplar Research.13(3), 279-294, (In Persian with English abstract).
Smith, F., 1999. Biological diversity, ecosystem stability and economic development. Ecological Economics, 16, 191-203.
Snorrason, A., Siqurdsson, B. D., Gudberqsson, G., Svavarsdottir, K. and Jonsson, T. H., 2008. Carbon sequestration in forest plantation in Iceland. Burisindi, 15, 81-93.
Survey, U. and Geological, S., 2011. Carbon sequestration central Asia info sheet. EROS deta center international Program U.S. Department of the interior.USA.
Vahedi, A. and Mattagi, A., 2013. Amount of carbon sequestration distribution associated with oak tree’s (Quercus castaneifolia C.A. May) bole in relation to physiographical units of Hyrcanian natural forests of Iran. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research. 21(4),716-728. (In Persian with English abstract).
Vujnovic, k., Wein, R. W. and Dale, M. R. T., 2002. Predicting Plant species diversity in response to disturbance magnitude in grassland remnants of central Alberta. Canadian Journal of botany. 80, 504-511.
Wilson, N., Bradstock, R. and Bedward, M., 2021. Comparing forest carbon stock losses between logging and wildfire in forests with contrasting responses to fire. Forest Ecology and Management, 481, 118701. (2021), doi: 10.1016/j.foreco. 2020.11870
Ujházy, K., Hederová, L., Máliš, F., Ujházyová, F.M., Bosela, M. and Čiliak, M., 2107. Overstorey dynamics controls plant diversity in age-class temperate forests. Forest Ecology and Management. 391,96-105.
Zohary, M., 1999. Geobotanical foundation of the Middle East. Gustav fisher verlag, stutrgart, Amesterdam, Netherland.
Environmental Sciences
Volume 20, Issue 3
2022
Pages 71-86

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics