Investigation of soil quality index in habitats of (Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori) and (Salvadora persica L.) species in Hormozgan province

Document Type : Scientific article

Authors

1 Research expert, Research Division of Forest, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, I. R. Iran

2 Associate Professor, Research Division of Forest, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, I. R. Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Research Division of Forest, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, I. R. Iran

4 Expert, Natural Resources Research Department, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Hormozgan Province, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Bandar Abbas, I. R. Iran

Abstract

Background and Objective: The natural forests of southern Iran have adapted to the region's harsh climatic conditions over millennia, and their stability is profoundly dependent on soil health and quality. In arid ecosystems, tree species play a vital role in forest productivity by inducing changes in the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. Tree canopies create "islands of fertility" by accumulating nutrients and enhancing microbial activity, the extent of which is directly correlated with canopy size. Despite this importance, no comprehensive study has yet evaluated the impact of two valuable native species, Moringa peregrina and Salvadora persica, on soil characteristics or determined their Soil Quality Index (SQI) within the Saharo-Sindian phytogeographical region. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the influence of these species on the soil and analyze the drivers of ecological change. The findings provide a comprehensive perspective on plant-soil interactions, assisting managers and planners in adopting optimal strategies for the sustainable management and conservation of these unique forests.
Material and Methods: This research was conducted in two 1-hectare plots within the habitats of Moringa peregrina (Bashagard) and Salvadora persica (Bandar Abbas). In each habitat, 15 trees were randomly selected, and soil sampling (0–15 cm depth) was performed under the canopy and in open spaces (control) facing east. For each species, samples from every three trees were pooled to obtain five composite samples per position. Once sieved (2 mm), the samples were divided into two portions: one stored at -20°C for microbial activity assays and the other at ambient temperature for physicochemical analysis. After measuring soil properties using standard methods, data normality was verified via the Shapiro-Wilk test. Statistical comparisons between under-canopy and open-area positions were performed using independent t-tests (for normal data) or the Mann-Whitney U test (for non-normal data). Finally, the Soil Quality Index (SQI) was calculated and analyzed using the aforementioned statistical methods.
Results: The results indicated that beneath the canopy of Moringa peregrina, electrical conductivity (2.11 dS/m), organic carbon (0.89%), total nitrogen (0.089%), available phosphorus (12.94 mg/kg), available calcium (347.89 mg/kg), available magnesium (33.04 mg/kg), and nitrification potential (97.07 µg NO2-N g⁻¹ dry soil 5h⁻¹) were significantly higher than in open areas, while soil pH (7.92) was significantly higher in the open areas. Beneath the canopies of both M. peregrina and Salvadora persica, significant increases were observed in available potassium (843.09 and 289.64 mg/kg, respectively), available manganese (5.7 and 4.06 mg/kg, respectively), and basal respiration (1.73 and 0.74 mg CO2 g⁻¹ dry soil 24h⁻¹) compared to their respective controls. Substrate-induced respiration (SIR) showed significant differences under the canopy of M. peregrina (11.44 mg CO2 100g⁻¹ dry soil h⁻¹) and in the open areas of S. persica (6.62 mg CO2 100g⁻¹ dry soil h⁻¹). The Soil Quality Index (SQI = 7) showed a significant difference only beneath the canopy of M. peregrina in Bashagard.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that both species induce significant modifications in the physicochemical and biological soil properties, as well as the Soil Quality Index, within their respective habitats. These findings emphasize that dominant species in each habitat reflect complex interactions between biotic and abiotic factors, with soil acting as a key environmental driver in the development and stability of vegetation cover. Given the importance of continuous soil monitoring, tracking changes in soil characteristics over different time intervals and conducting periodic assessments can provide a more accurate evaluation of ecological trends. Such data offer reliable insights for the scientific management and conservation of Saharo-Sindian forests.

Keywords

References

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Forest Research and Development
Volume 12, Issue 1
June 2026
Pages 21-40

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