Effects of physiographic factors and soil properties on distribution of Ferula gummosa Boiss: case study of Karaj Kalarud Region
Paper Details
Effects of physiographic factors and soil properties on distribution of Ferula gummosa Boiss: case study of Karaj Kalarud Region
Abstract
Ferula gummosa Boiss, belonging to Umbelliferae family, is widely distributed in mountainous regions of Iran, especially Zagros and Alborz Mountains. This species is of great economic importance due to industrial, pharmaceutical, food and forage uses. In the present study, the effect of some ecological factors associated with Ferula gummosa Boiss was investigated in one of the natural habitats of this species in Kalarood summer rangeland of Alborz province. The sample size was determined by minimal area method. A random-systematic sampling method was used where the frequency of Ferula gummosa Boiss was maximum. Vegetation parameters including frequency, density and canopy cover as well as some physiographic characteristics of the habitat, such as altitude (a.s.l), slope percentage, aspect, and Landform Index (LI) were measured. In addition, soil samples were taken from a depth of 0-30 cm in the center of each quadrate to measure pH, percentage of organic carbon (OC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in soil laboratory. According to the obtained results of ordination (RDA), frequency, canopy cover, density, and species relative importance showed a direct relationship with slope percentage and an inverse relationship with sand percentage.
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