Effects of altitudinal gradient on biodiversity indices of plant ecological groups in ‎Hyrcanian forests (Tiremrood basin)‎

Document Type : Scientific article

Authors

1 Ph.D. student. Department of Forestry, Chalous Branch, Islamic Azad University, Chalous, I. R. Iran‎

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Forestry, Chalous Branch, Islamic Azad University, Chalous, I. R. Iran‎

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Forestry, Chalous Branch, Islamic Azad University, Chalous, I. R. ‎Iran‎

Abstract

Altitudinal gradient is effective on biodiversity indices. Tiremrud Basin (Watershed 32) were investigated to find the relationship of plant biodiversity indices. Data were collected by transect method with at least one sample plot per align lines with 50 m interval and 44 plots in total. In each sample plot the total number of tree species was recorded. Micro plots (5*2 m2) in four corners and center of each plot were determined and recorded based on the Brown-Blanket cover percentage and frequency of vegetative elements for sampling of herbs. Bilateral index species analysis was used to introduce the communities of the region. The results showed that the four ecological groups of the region had an average altitude of 2070, 1236, 924 and 375 meters above sea level and an average slope of 43, 50, 40 and 59 percent (no significant difference). Comparison of ecological groups showed that these groups have significant differences in terms of plant biodiversity indicators. Examination of Shannon-Wiener and Simpson-Pilo species diversity index values ​​showed that the first, fourth and two second and third ecological groups have maximum, minimum and average values ​​of species diversity indices, respectively. Meanwhile, in terms of Pilo uniformity index, the first and third groups, along with the second and fourth groups, have the maximum, minimum and average uniformity index values, respectively. In terms of species richness index, the first, third, second and fourth groups are ranked respectively.
 

Altitudinal gradient is effective on biodiversity indices. Tiremrud Basin (Watershed 32) were investigated to find the relationship of plant biodiversity indices. Data were collected by transect method with at least one sample plot per align lines with 50 m interval and 44 plots in total. In each sample plot the total number of tree species was recorded. Micro plots (5*2 m2) in four corners and center of each plot were determined and recorded based on the Brown-Blanket cover percentage and frequency of vegetative elements for sampling of herbs. Bilateral index species analysis was used to introduce the communities of the region. The results showed that the four ecological groups of the region had an average altitude of 2070, 1236, 924 and 375 meters above sea level and an average slope of 43, 50, 40 and 59 percent (no significant difference). Comparison of ecological groups showed that these groups have significant differences in terms of plant biodiversity indicators. Examination of Shannon-Wiener and Simpson-Pilo species diversity index values ​​showed that the first, fourth and two second and third ecological groups have maximum, minimum and average values ​​of species diversity indices, respectively. Meanwhile, in terms of Pilo uniformity index, the first and third groups, along with the second and fourth groups, have the maximum, minimum and average uniformity index values, respectively. In terms of species richness index, the first, third, second and fourth groups are ranked respectively.

Keywords

References

Arekhi, S.; Heydari, M., Pourbabei, H., Vegetation-environmental relationships and ecological species groups of the Ilam oak forest landscape, Iran. Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences 2010, 8 (2), 115-125.
Assadi, M.; Maassoumi, A.A., Khatamsaz, M., Mozaffarian, V., Editors. Flora of Iran. Vols. 1-60. Tehran: Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands Publications; 1988-2008. (In Persian)
Awasthi, N.;  Bhandari, S.; Khanal, Y., Does scientific forest management promote plant species diversity and regeneration in Sal (Shorea robusta) forest? A case study from Lumbini collaborative forest, Rupandehi, Nepal. Banko Janakari 2015, 25 (1), 20-29.
Barnes, B.V.; Zak, D.R., Denton, S.R., Spur, S.H., Forest Ecology. John Wiley and Sons INC, 4th edition, New York, 1998; 792 p.
Castro, H.;  Lehsten, V.;  Lavorel, S.; Freitas, H., Functional response traits in relation to land use change in the Montado. Agriculture, ecosystems & environment 2010, 137 (1-2), 183-191.
De Bello, F.;  LepŠ, J.; SEBASTIÀ, M. T., Predictive value of plant traits to grazing along a climatic gradient in the Mediterranean. Journal of applied Ecology 2005, 42 (5), 824-833.
Diaz, S.; Lavorel, S., McIntyre, S.U.E., Falczuk, V., Casanoves, F., Milchunas, D.G., Skarpe, C., Rusch, G.,  Sternberg, M., Noy‐Meir, I.M.A.N.U.E.L., Landsberg, J., Plant traits responses to grazing: a global synthesis. Global Change Biology2007, 13 (2), 313-341.
Dufrêne, M.; Legendre, P., Species assemblages and indicator species: the need for a flexible asymmetrical approach. Ecological monographs 1997, 67 (3), 345-366.
Fatem, S. M.;  Djitmau, D. A.;  Ungirwalu, A.;  Wanma, A. O.;  Simbiak, V. I.;  Benu, N. M. H.;  Tambing, J.; Murdjoko, A., Species diversity, composition, and heterospecific associations of trees in three altitudinal gradients in Bird's Head Peninsula, Papua, Indonesia. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity 2020, 21 (8).
Flynn, D. F.;  Gogol‐Prokurat, M.;  Nogeire, T.;  Molinari, N.;  Richers, B. T.;  Lin, B. B.;  Simpson, N.;  Mayfield, M. M.; DeClerck, F., Loss of functional diversity under land use intensification across multiple taxa. Ecology letters 2009, 12 (1), 22-33.
Gebrewahid, Y.; Abrehe, S., Biodiversity conservation through indigenous agricultural practices: Woody species composition, density and diversity along an altitudinal gradient of Northern Ethiopia. Cogent Food & Agriculture 2019, 5 (1), 1700744.
Ghahraman, A., Colorful Flora of Iran. The Research Institute of Forest and Pastures, Tehran, 1979-1998.  (In Persian)
Gong, H.;  Yu, T.;  Zhang, X.;  Zhang, P.;  Han, J.; Gao, J., Effects of boundary constraints and climatic factors on plant diversity along an altitudinal gradient. Global Ecology and Conservation 2019, 19, e00671.
Gopal, B.; Bhardwaj, N., Elements of ecology. Stosius Incorporated/Advent Books Division: 1979.
Habashi, H.; Hosseini, S.M., Mohammadi, J., Rahmani, R., Stand structure and spatial pattern of trees in mixed Hyrcanian Beech forests of Iran. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research2007, 15 (1), 55-64. (In Persian)
Hill, M. O., Diversity and evenness: a unifying notation and its consequences. Ecology 1973, 54 (2), 427-432.
Irl, S. D.;  Harter, D. E.;  Steinbauer, M. J.;  Gallego Puyol, D.;  Fernández‐Palacios, J. M.;  Jentsch, A.; Beierkuhnlein, C., Climate vs. topography–spatial patterns of plant species diversity and endemism on a high‐elevation island. Journal of Ecology 2015, 103 (6), 1621-1633.
Kaufmann, S.;  Hauck, M.; Leuschner, C., Comparing the plant diversity of paired beech primeval and production forests: Management reduces cryptogam, but not vascular plant species richness. Forest Ecology and Management 2017, 400, 58-67.
Laliberte, E.;  Wells, J. A.;  DeClerck, F.;  Metcalfe, D. J.;  Catterall, C. P.;  Queiroz, C.;  Aubin, I.;  Bonser, S. P.;  Ding, Y.; Fraterrigo, J. M., Land‐use intensification reduces functional redundancy and response diversity in plant communities. Ecology letters 2010, 13 (1), 76-86.
Magurran, A. E., Ecological diversity and its measurement. Princeton university press: 1988.
Mattaji, A.; Babaikafaki, S., Investigation on plant associations and physiographical situation to draw plant associations profile in north of Iran (Case study: Kheiroudkenar forest - Noshahr). Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research2006, 14 (3), 258-268. (In Persian)
McCune, B.; Mefford, M.J., 1999. PC-ORD, Multivariate Analysis of Ecological Data, Version 4, MjM Software Design. Glenden Beach.Oregon, USA.
McNab, W. H.;  Browning, S. A.;  Simon, S. A.; Fouts, P. E., An unconventional approach to ecosystem unit classification in western North Carolina, USA. Forest Ecology and Management 1999, 114 (2-3), 405-420.
Mirbadin, A.; Siahipour baladeh, Z.,Amanzadeh, B.,Hemmatti, A., Khanjani Shirazi, B., Determination of diameter growth of beech in north of Iran (Guilan province). Iranian Forest and Poplar Research2001, 7, 101-129. (In Persian)
Mozaffarian, V., A Dictionary of Iranian Plant Names. Farhang Moaser, Tehran, 1996; p 198. (In Persian)
Mueller Dombois, D.; Ellenberg, H., Aims and methods of vegetation ecology. 1974.
Nogué, S.;  Rull, V.; Vegas‐Vilarrúbia, T., Elevational gradients in the neotropical table mountains: patterns of endemism and implications for conservation. Diversity and Distributions 2013, 19 (7), 676-687.
Pakeman, R. J.; Marriott, C. A., A functional assessment of the response of grassland vegetation to reduced grazing and abandonment. Journal of Vegetation Science 2010, 21 (4), 683-694.
Parker, K. C., Topography, substrate, and vegetation patterns in the northern Sonoran Desert. Journal of Biogeography 1991, 151-163.
Peet, R. K., The measurement of species diversity. Annual review of ecology and systematics 1974, 5 (1), 285-307.
Rechinger, K.H., Flora Iranica, Vol. 1-173. Akademische Druck und Verlagsanstalt press, Garz. 1963-1998.
Sagheb-Talebi, K.;  Pourhashemi, M.; Sajedi, T., Forests of Iran: A Treasure from the Past, a Hope for the Future. Springer: 2014.
Shabanirad, B.;  Pilehvar, B.;  Jafari Sarabi, H.; Veiskaramii, G., Floristic composition and plant communities along an altitude gradient in Quercus brantii forests. Journal of Forest Research and Development 2020, 6 (1), 57-74.
Sharma, N.;  Behera, M. D.;  Das, A. P.; Panda, R. M., Plant richness pattern in an elevation gradient in the Eastern Himalaya. Biodiversity and Conservation 2019, 28 (8), 2085-2104.
Singh, D.;  Sharma, A.; Sharma, N., Composition, richness and floristic diversity along an elevational gradient in a semi-disturbed treeline ecotone, Bhaderwah, Jammu and Kashmir. Journal of Applied and Natural Science 2019, 11 (1), 23-34.
Zahedi Amiri, GH.; Mohammadi Limaei, S., The Relationship between Plant Ecological Groups in Grassland with Habitat Factors (Case Study: Neka middle elevation Forests), Iranian Journal of Natural Resources2002, 55 (3), 353-341. (In Persian)
Zamani, S. M.;  Zolfaghari, R.; Alvaninejad, S., Evaluation of biodiversity, life form and chorology in ecological groups of Dena conserved area forests. Journal of Forest Research and Development 2019, 4 (4), 435-447.
Zhang, P.;  Shao, M. a.; Zhang, X., Spatial pattern of plant species diversity and the influencing factors in a Gobi Desert within the Heihe River Basin, Northwest China. Journal of Arid Land 2017, 9 (3), 379-393.
Forest Research and Development
Volume 7, Issue 3
December 2021
Pages 493-504

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics