Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Abstract
In the present study, the effect of soil factors on above-ground vegetation and soil seed bank diversity under grazing and exclosure conditions was studied. Soil sampling was done in winter 2010 using randomized systematic method along four transects in the grazing and exclosure areas of Vaz watershed. Along each transect, 10 plots of 1m2 were established and soil samples were collected from a depth of 0-10 cm for seed bank and physico-chemical studies. Vegetation cover was measured in each plot in late spring of 2011. Soil factors such as porosity, bulk density, relative humidity, EC, pH, nitrogen, organic matter, and stone percentage were measured. Shannon and Simpson diversity indices were calculated for above-ground cover and soil seed bank and the most important factors influencing on the diversity were specified using multiple linear regression by backward elimination method. Results showed that the porosity, bulk density and organic matter had the greatest effect on the diversity of seed bank in the exclosure area. On the other hand, EC, nitrogen, organic matter, soil bulk density and porosity were the most important factors affecting the seed bank diversity of grazing area. According to the obtained results, organic matter and nitrogen were the main factors affecting the plant species diversity in the exclosure area, while in the grazing area, physical parameters such as bulk density, porosity and stone percentage had the highest impact on species diversity.
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