Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology (Jun 2014)
Determination of Indicator Ecological Factors in the Habitats of Some Plant Species of Polour Mountainous Rangelands, Mazandaran Province
Abstract
The aim of the present study was investigating some ecological factors in the habitats of four species and determining the most significant variables affecting the presence and distribution of these species. Study area, which was about 4600 ha, was located at Polur, Mazandaran province. For this purpose, after primary survey and selection of main plant species, 3 transects 150 meter in length were laid down systematically and 10 random plots (1m×1m) were established in each vegetation type. The investigated plant species included Festuca ovina, Astragalus gossypinus, Poa bulbosa and Dactylis glomerata.Then, 3 soil samplings were taken from 0-30 cm in starting, mean and ending points of each transect. Soil factors such as N, P, organic material, pH, EC and texture were determined. The software SHAZAM 10 package was used to find the logical relationship between plant species and environmental variables. The statistical pattern for this research was based on qualitative function. Therefore, logic function was evaluated. The results showed that soil acidity and nitrogen were the main limiting factors affecting the presence and absence probability of Festuca ovina and Poa bulbosa but, in the habitats of Astragalus depressus, organic matter and electrical conductivity were the most important variables affecting the presence and absence probability of this species. Elevation and nitrogen were the main limiting factors in the habitats of Dactylis glomerata.
