Autecology of stipagrostis karelini on the sandy areas of Isfahan province

This research was aimed to investigate the autecology of Stipagrostis karelini in the sand dunes of Isfahan province. Initially, the habitat map was prepared and characteristics including topographyclimate, soil, associated species, and the presence of this species in vegetation cover were determined. In addition, the phenology and root system of the mentioned species was investigated. According to the results, this species grows on the sand dunes of Kashan (Rig Boland) at an altitude of 750 to 1150 meters above sea level on all slope aspects. The habitat has a sandy and sandy-loam textured soil. Soil electrical conductivity varies in different parts of the habitat as well as at different soil depths, ranging between 2.5-3 ds m-1. Soil pH of the habitat ranges between 7.5 and 8.2. The average annual precipitation in the natural habitats of this species is 80-140 mm. The mean minimum and maximum temperatures are 3.8 °C and 33.6 °C respectively The absolute minimum and maximum temperature are -12 °C and 47.8 °C, respectively. The vegetative growth of this species starts from late March. The flowers appear in May and seeds ripen in mid-June. The study species has a fibrous root system, around which is covered with sand and the root penetrates the sand up to one meter at a radius of about 2 meters.