Effects of anthropogenic disturbance on plant composition, plant diversity and soil properties in oak forests, Iran

Javad ESHAGHI Rad, Gelare Valadi, Osman Salehzadeh and Hosein Maroofi
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Javad ESHAGHI Rad: Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
Gelare Valadi: Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
Osman Salehzadeh: Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
Hosein Maroofi: Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Sanandaj, Iran

Journal of Forest Science, 2018, vol. 64, issue 8, 358-370

Abstract: Three sites including "less disturbed", "moderately disturbed" and "severely disturbed" were selected in Zagros forests in Kurdistan province (Iran). Three forest stands with similar physiographic conditions of each site were selected and three 400 m2 plots were assessed in each stand to record the floristic information and soil sample (0-30 cm). Different diversity indices were calculated for each sample. Cluster analysis and to collect soil samples detrended correspondence analysis were applied to categorize and investigate the vegetation trend. Indicator species analysis was used to determine the characteristic species. Tukey test was used to compare the variables amongst sites. The results showed that 47, 25, 15 species were exclusively observed in less disturbed, moderately disturbed and severely disturbed sites, respectively. Furthermore, cluster analysis illustrated the distinction amongst sites and detrended correspondence analysis result showed that the vegetation of the regions was ordinated by disturbance gradient. 21, 5, 7 characteristic species were respectively indicated in less disturbed, moderately disturbed and severely disturbed sites. In general, plant composition, plant diversity and soil quality were decreased dramatically along the disturbance gradient.

Keywords: Quercus brantii; richness; understory species; Zagros forests; canopy cover (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:64:y:2018:i:8:id:13-2018-jfs

DOI: 10.17221/13/2018-JFS

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