Evaluation of Plant Species Diversity and Floristic Characteristics in Plant Ecological Group in Relation to Altitudinal Gradient, Kourdkoy Forest, North of Iran
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61326/silvaworld.v5i1.446Keywords:
Hyrcanian forests, Plant communities, Species diversity, TWINSPANAbstract
Forest ecosystems have vegetation cover as their fundamental structural element that demonstrates how environmental parameters operate. This study investigated the effect of altitude variations on plant community and diversity patterns in the Kourdkoy Forest located in Golestan province of northern Iran. We established 48 circular plots with an area 1000 m2 at each of the six different elevational belts from 500 to 1700 m above sea level at 200 m intervals using random-systematic sampling method. Tree species at each plot were measured, while the herbaceous species survey in 100 m² subplots. Using Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN) identified five plant communities known as Cyclameno-Fagetum community, Carexeto-Fagetum community, Athyriumeto-Fagetum community (appeared on two classes), and Galiumo-Fagetum community named according to their dominant and indicator species. among the 60 plant species belonging to 37 families and 55 genera which were found in the studied area. ANOVA test showed that altitude served as the significant variable leading to significant diversity index differences (P≤0.05) among the communities for Shannon-Wiener, Smith-Wilson, and Margalef. The Raunkiaer method indicated hemicryptophytes prevailed as life-forms over cryptophytes by 43% and 22%, respectively and Euro-Siberian chorotype earned first place position with 40%. The research demonstrated that altitude-caused ecological transformations which occur in a vital forest system enabling understanding for temperate region conservation and management activities.
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