Vegetation of the Sefid-Kuh Protected Area, W. Iran

Abstract

Sefid-Kuh Protected Area is situated in the west of Iran. The Area is one of the unknown ecosystems of Zagros mountain system. The vegetation of part of the Area was studied by Braun-Blanquet method. Phytosociological data analyzed with Factorial Correspondence Analysis (FCA) and the Hierarchical Ascendant Classification (HAC) methods by means of Anaphyto software. 18 associations and 6 subassociations were distinguished in the Area. These steppe-forest communities belong to Quercetea persicae and Quercetalia persica. The zonation of vegetation is mainly affected by topographic and edaphic factors. Altitude, slope, exposure, percent of gravel and moisture, texture and depth of the soil are the important factors to establishment of associations in the different elevation zones.

Keywords

• braun-blanquet
• oak steppe-forest
• phytosociology
• sefid-kuh protected area
• woodland