Floristic study of the Ghalaei -Kashkan region (Lorestan).

Abstract

Collecting plant specimens and the continuation of this gathering lead to a better understanding of ecosystems, raising awareness about biodiversity and it is criterion for evaluating the genetic erosion over time. Ghalaei-Kashkan covers an area about 30,000 km² and is located in the central Zagros Mountains. Herbarium specimens of the area were collected based on common methods of regional floristic studies during years 1991 to 2013, and named by the Floras of Iran and neighboring countries. In this research, 551 species belonging to 355 genera and 73 families were determined. The chorology of species showed that the highest percentage of the species belonging to the Irano-Turanian region. Permanent Kashkan river caused a strip of the wetland plants have been presented in the northern part of the Ghalaei -Kashkan. Quercus infectoria and Cercis siliquastrum belonging to sub-mountain element that grow in the northern parts. In southern parts of the Ghalaei -Kashkan, particular plant species have been distributed at different altitudes and is divided into Alpine and sub-mountain types. Alpine vegetation type includes mountain Bromegrass, onions (Allium jesdianum), Smyrnium cordifolium, Rheum ribes, and also thorn-cushion vegetations such as: Astragalus spp., Acantholimon spp., Onobrychis spp. and Acanthophyllum spp.. In mountainous type, Oak forests associations are formed. Impact of human on sub-mountain ranges is the main cause of degradation. Genetic erosion in the area implies that the three level of biodiversity: ecosystems, species and populations are under serious threat.

Keywords

• Biodiversity
• Genetic erosion
• Ghalaei -Kashkan
• vegetation
• Zagros