ISSN 2756-3367
African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 4 (3), pp. 258-265, March, 2017. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Environmental factors affecting the distribution of ferulagummosa (Boiss) in northwest rangeland of Iran
1Khalatbari Jafari, 1 Ali Niyaki*, 2Mehdi Kazemi, 1Fallahi Salimi and 3Abbas Maleki
1Department of Range and Watershed Management, University of Mohag-hegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran,
2Department of Range and Watershed Management, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran,
3Department of Soil science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
*Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]
Received 10 February, 2017; Revised 05 March, 2017; Accepted 08 March, 2017 and Published 09 March, 2017
Abstract
In this study a number of ten 4-square-meter plots with 15 m. spacing on three 150-meter-long transects were systematically randomized in each key areas within each habitats. Characteristics such as total canopy cover, canopy cover of target species and percentage of sand and gravel on the soil surface were measured. Three mixed soil samples from the locations beginning, middle, and end of each transect were collected to determine soil properties. Physiographic and climate factors of each selected site were determined. Independent sample T-test, Analysis of Variance and Discriminant Analyses were used as statistical analyses methods. The results showed that all variables in the presence and absence places of F.gummosa have significant differences (p≤0.01). Results of discriminant analysis suggested that the quantity of electrical conductivity, acidity, organic carbon, potassium, phosphorus and percentage of sand and silt, the percentage of stone and gravel on the soil surface, amount of slope, geographical aspects, altitude, annual precipitation and environmental temperature in the presence or absence of F.gummosa species were effective. Our study results indicated that the variables of the total neutralizing value and geographical aspects were considered as the most effective factors in distributing the studied species.
Keywords: Environmental factors, ferulagummosa, Iran, species distribution.