This study was carried out to create and compare vegetation maps based on geomorphology and Physiography units methods. An area of about 16230 hectares comprised of four sub-watersheds of Arton, Kash, Zidasht and Kalanak were selected in Taleghan region. In Geomorphology method different maps of hipsometry, slope, aspect, geomorphologyical facies and lithology were prepared. Created maps were integrated to obtain a uniform terrain mapping unit. Each unit in this map was takenas a base of management and measurement for vegetation parameters. In Physiography method, map of primary vegetation type was obtained using 1:20000 areal photographs. This map was modified, based on field observations, to produce actual vegetation map. Then vegetation parameter assessment was conducted within each vegetation type. Arcinfo, Idrisi and Arcview softwares were used for integrating and digitalizing maps. Vegetation maps obtained from either of Geomorphological and physiographical methods were compared. According to the results, in spite of expectations, in some terrain units there were more than one vegetation type or in some vegetation types more than one terrain unit was found. In a general sense, there did not exist a strong relationship between vegetation types and terrain mapping units in the study area.

Iron wood (Parrotia persica) is one of the endemic species in the Hyrcanian forests that grows naturally in the northern forests of Iran. This species is reproduced through asexual reproduction using coppice shoot. In order to determine the effect of altitude on asexual regeneration of Ironwood, Kheiroud experimental forest was selected. The altitude was categorized in the groups of 1) less than 400 m, 2) 400-800 m and 3) 800-1200 m.a.s.l. The coppice shoots were also divided into two groups of a) dbh<5 and b) dbh>5 cm.90 circle plots, each 1000 m2, were laid out in the study area. Analyze of variance and Duncan’s test were used to compare the number of coppice shoots among and between the groups.Results showed that the maximum total number of coppice shoots (10.3/tree) was counted in the lower altitude group (400 m.a.s.l.) while, the maximum number of coppice shoots with dbh>5 cm (3.5/tree) was counted in higher elevations (800-1200 m.a.s.l.). The differences between groups were statistically significant. In general, producing of coppice shoots shows an inverse relation with increasing of altitude.This study suggests that silvicultural interventions should be more focused in lower elevations.

Managing rangelands appropriately and efficiently requires sufficient knowledge about environmental factors and their effects on vegetation. This study is focused on applying multivariate analysis to determine the relationship between plant properties (vegetation cover and density) and physiological parameters of rangelands. Study area which is about 460 ha is located at Hezarjarib, Mazandaran province. Slope, aspect and elevation maps were overlaid using a GIS environment to reach almost homogenous land mapping units in which samples could be taken.Then by completely random sampling some range plants were sampled. Multivariate analysis showed that variation in percentage of canopy cover and density of the species were influenced by aspect, slope and elevation. Integration of the maps resulted that each plant species grows in special morphological conditions which is different from other vegetation types.

Introduction and Objective: A comprehensive study of vegetation changes requires consideration of all influential factors in the ecosystem. The Zagros forests, as one of Iran's most important forest ecosystems, contain diversified vegetation including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous species. Therefore, accurate identification of vegetation and knowledge of their ecological role can help in protecting natural resources and sustainable development. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in herbaceous vegetation in the Hashtadpahloo forests of Lorestan province. Material and Methods: For this purpose, after physiognomic typing of the region, 21 multiscales, modified Whittaker plots were randomly selected in pure oak type (Quercus brantii Lindl. ), Mixed oak and Acer type (Quercus brantii Lindl., Acer monspessulanum L. ), Shrubs and cushion plants type (Daphne mucronata Royle, Cotoneaster morulus Pojark), and rangeland type (grassland and rangeland species). Species richness, canopy cover of tree species, Physiographic factors such as slope, aspect and altitude were measured at 250 m2 (25×10) plots, and presence and cover percentage of each herbaceous plant was recorded at o. 25 m2 plots. (0. 25 × 1. Furthermore a combined soil samples were taken at 0–, 30 cm depths to determine soil properties. After measuring plant diversity indices such as Margalf, Mannick and Shannon Wiener indices and some physical and chemical characteristics of soil in laboratory, principle component analysis (PCA) was used to indicate the most important environmental factors affecting diversity indices in different types. Results: The results showed that there were significant differences among different vegetation types with respect to Menhinick and Margalef richness indices, aspect, slope, altitude, and canopy cover (p<0. 05). While Simpson's and Pylo's indicators of diversity, dominance, and evenness had no significant differences among different types. The highest Menhinick and Margalef richness indices were observed in pure oak type, whereas rangeland type had the lowest richness indices and canopy cover and the highest slope and altitude. In addition, the soil variables absorbable potassium and magnesium had a significant correlation with the values of Manchinic, Margalf, Simpson, and Shannon-Weiner indices. Based on the PCA results, dominance, diversity, and species richness indices (constituent variables of the first component), edaphic factors (constituent variables of the second component), and eventually Physiographic factors such as slope, aspect, and altitude with canopy cover (constituent variables of the third component), describe the highest percentage of changes in the herbaceous community of the region respectively. Conclusion: As a result, it can be acknowledged that due to the wide spread of Zagros forests, simultaneous attention to the three components of forest types, Physiography and soil can favorably reflect the changes in the vegetation of the herbaceous vegetation of the Zagros, and they can be used in the management of these forests.

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of physiographic effects (slope, aspect and altitude) on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Fraxinus excelsior plantation in Dooleychal in Masouleh, Guilan province. For this purpose, 100 0.2 ha circular sample plots were established as systematic random in an area about 400 ha. Within each sample plots, the physiographic factors (slope, aspect and altitude m a.s.l), quantitative characteristics (collar diameter and total height) and qualitative characteristics (vitality and multi-branching) were measured and recorded. The results of analysis of variance showed that there is a significant difference between the mean diameter of the collar and the total height of ash tree in different directions. Also, the results showed that there was no significant difference between the diameter of the collar in different slopes, while there was a significant difference between the height of the ash tree in different slopes. The results of t-test showed that there was a significant difference between the collar diameter at different altitudes, while there was no significant difference between the height of the ash tree at different altitudes. The study of the effect of aspect on the qualitative characteristics showed that highest level of vitality and multi-branching were observed on the north- and south-facing slopes, respectively. The study of slope effect on qualitative characteristics showed that highest level of vitality and multi-branching were in the range of 0-20%. Investigation of the effect of altitude m a.s.l on qualitative characteristics showed that the highest level of vitality and multi-branching were at 1700-1.900 meters.

In this study, with respect to the importance of fires in Zagros vegetation zone, temporal and spatial data of fire incidence, from 2002 to 2018, in natural areas of Kermanshah province was extracted using MODIS active fire data. Then the frequency of fire incidence was analyzed according to the Physiography of the study area in different classes of slope, geographical direction and altitude. According to the results, the highest and the lowest frequency of fire incidence in forests were observed in slopes classes of 15-30% and >80%, respectively. In rangelands, the highest and lowest frequency of incidents were observed in slopes classes of 0-15% and >80%, respectively. In the forest area, the highest frequency of fire incidence was observed in the altitudes of 1000– 1500 m and 1500-2000 m and the lowest frequency was observed in the altitudes of 115– 500 m and >2500 m. In the rangelands, the highest frequency of fire incidence was observed in the altitudes of 1000– 1500 m and 1500-2000 m and the lowest frequency was observed in the altitude of over 2500 m. It was also observed that the frequency of fire incidence in the northern and southern aspect directions was remarkably higher than the eastern and western directions. The results of this study emphasize that in addition to the type of Physiography of the region, the frequency of fire incidents is significantly dependent on the surface area of each form of Physiography, which can be very important in fire management planning.

Information of plant diversity and its relationship with environmental factors are necessary requirements for rangeland rehabilitation techniques and priority of biodiversity conservation in local habitats. To collect vegetation cover data, the Namin mountainous rangelands were selected and systematic random sampling in ecological units was used. The relationship between plant diversity and ecological unit’ s characteristics (Sub-basins) was studied by recording the data in physiographic, topographic, chemistry and physics in the soil. To investigate the relationship between species diversity and environmental factors, the redundancy analysis (RDA) method was used as linear method based on gradient length. Based on the results, the physiographic and topographic had significant effect on the richness of the species. On the other hand, soil chemical properties had the greatest impact on the amount of species evenness and diversity of the ecological units and explained 89. 64% of the variations. In general, slope, organic carbon amd EC are the most important effective characteristic on the enhancement species diversity idexes and the length parameters. It was also indicated that area and direction of sites are the most important factors on reduction of diversity indices. Therefore, in situations where the purpose of the management to be improve species diversity, places where are in endanger in terms of chemical properties of the soil (organic matter and, consequently, organic carbon) should be prioritized. If the aim of management to be increase in vegetation structure and percentage of plant protection from splash erosion, in this case, places where are in the southern direction and have a steep slope should be prioritized. Furthermore, rangeland rehabilitation techniques are a priority in larger-scale units due to the lower species richness, and smaller units, due to the high plant species richness, should be prioritized of conservation and protection.

The objective of this paper is to evaluate Leaf Area Index at Robinia Pseudoacacia. in affrostration area of about 89 hectares located in the northern part of Malayer was selected as the study region. The leaf area index was determined by direct method and by collecting all the leaves from the 20 samples (from medium diameter of each diameter class) and measuring the mean leaf area, the crown cover area of each sample was calculated. To determine the soil properties and its relation with the leaf area index, samples from the depth of 0 - 10 and 10 - 30 cm were selected. Physical and chemical properties of soil samples were determined in the laboratory. As a result, the leaf area index of Robinia Pseudoacacia species was 3.78. which the diameter class increased, the Leaf Area Index increased too. The significant relations were statistically observed between the slope and Leaf Area Index. Considering the stand and soil characteristics, the aboveground biomass, diameter at breast height, height, percentage of nitrogen, organic carbon and silt showed the maximal correlation with the leaf area index.

In order to investigate the reaction of biodiversity and richness of plant species in relation to Physiography and physico-chemical properties of soil, Arasht catchment (approximately 500 ha) from Kabirkoh protected area in Ilam province was selected. After determining transects in different aspects, 67 sample plots (20m×20m) in a grid of 150m×150m were established (northern aspect 24 plots, western aspect 20 plots and southern aspect 23 plots). The environmental factors and vegetation in each sample plot were recorded. Results from correlation analysis showed that the biodiversity of herbaceous species in southern aspect has a negative relation with clay and sand and has a positive relation with silt and lime. The biodiversity of herbaceous species in northern aspect has a positive relation with soil saturation percentage, organic matter and nitrogen and has a negative relation with altitude. The biodiversity of herbaceous species in western aspect has a negative relation with EC and altitude and has a positive relation with lime. Based on the results, it can be stated that for ecological evaluations in Zagros region, physico-chemical factors are more suitable for herbaceous species and physiographic factors and land form are more suitable for shrub and tree species.

A biodiversity investigation was carried out in the wild pistachio research forest located in southwest of Fars Province between 52˚ 30́ ́ to 52˚ 40́ ́ longitude and 29˚ to 29˚ 15́ latitude in an areaof 9374 Ha area. 72 sampling transects fifty meters long were designated using systematic-random design. In each sampling plot a list of bush, shrub, and tree species and their abundance were recorded. The area was divided into 3 slope levels (level 1: >10%., level 2: 10%-30%., and level 3: <30 %), 4 aspects levels (north, east, south, and west) and 3 altitudinal levels (level 1: >1, 800 m., level 2: 1, 800– 2, 000 m., and level 3: <2, 000 m. a. s. l. ) using ARC GIS softwear. Data were analyzed using different indices of heterogeneity, richness and evenness by PAST software and were compared in each of the abovedivisions. Gratest heterogeneity and richness indices were observed in area with slope greater than 30%. Results show that the area with 10-30 percent slope has the highest uniformity. Also, indices of heterogeneity and richness showed that north aspect has higher value than the other directions. Evenness indices indicate that the east direction has greater uniformity. Diversity indices among altitudinal levelrevealed that diversity, eveness and richness in altitudes greater than 2000 meter above see level is more than other altitudinal levels. The results showed that the vegetation diversity of the region are affected by the physiographical condition.