Open AccessExamination of Relationship between Species Diversity and Environmental Variables in Arid and Semi-arid Rangelands of Iran
Author(s) -
Sholeh Ghollasimod,
Hadi Memarian,
Maryam Hoseinpour,
Mohamad Javad Vahidi
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of environmental science and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.156
H-Index - 9
ISSN - 0119-1144
DOI - 10.47125/jesam/2017_1/05
Subject(s) - vegetation (pathology) , soil water , species diversity , arid , environmental science , silt , vegetation type , rangeland , diversity index , soil test , water content , soil type , soil science , ecology , species richness , biology , grassland , geology , agroforestry , medicine , paleontology , geotechnical engineering , pathology
The necessary recommendations for environmental management can be provided by measuring diversity and distribution of plant species. The relationship between species diversity and environmental variables affecting Furg rangelands, in the East of Iran was examined. A systematic-random approach was employed to sample vegetation and soil characteristics. Vegetation sampling was conducted using a 10×10 m quadrate (10 quadrate per vegetation type). According to the rooting depth of plants, soil samples were taken from 0-30 cm depth and analyzed through standard laboratory approaches to determine physical and chemical properties. Species diversity was measured using the indices Simpson, Shannon-Wiener and Fisher's alpha. To determine factors affecting species diversity, the Canonical Corresponding Analysis (CCA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were utilized. The vegetation type Ar.au-Ac.sp (type III) had the highest diversity, which was mainly located on the soils with higher quantities of EC, Ca, Na, Gypsum and sand content. The vegetation type Ar.au-La.or-Co.er (type I) with the lowest diversity was mainly placed on the soils where sand content was higher and soil pH, moisture content, TNV, silt content and slope were lower, as compared with those in other vegetation types. Generally, it could be established that in the studied region, the species diversity of plants was more impacted by soil properties, as compared with topographic characteristics.