Association survey between Oak species in relation to physiographic factors in Zagros forest (Case study: Sardasht forest, Rabat)

This study aimed to investigate the association between the three types of Oak named Quercus brantii Lindl., Quercus libani Oliv. and Quercus infectoria Oliv. with physiographic factors altitude, slope and aspect in the northern Zagros forest (case study: Sardasht forest, Rabat) and area of approximately 25000 hectares, and ranges in altitude from 1000 to 2200 meters above sea level. Transect sampling method with a fixed length of 50 meters were counted. Calculation of community between Oak species in the region and in different physiographic classes per species was done by calculating the Phi coefficient. As well as to determine the correlation between the species Chi-square test and Kendall’s correlation coefficient were used. Results of Phi coefficient between species indicated negative association between Quercus brantii Lindl. with Quercus libani Oliv. and Quercus infectoria Oliv. in all altitude, aspect and slope classes while Quercus libani Oliv. and Quercus infectoria Oliv. in most classes of altitude, aspect and slope there was a positive association. In the entire region, as well as physiographic classes there was negative association between Quercus brantii Lindl. With Quercus libani Oliv. and Quercus infectoria Oliv. and positive association between Quercus libani Oliv. and Quercus infectoria Oliv. Also, according to the results of the chi-square and Kendall's correlation coefficient between Quercus brantii Lindl. with Quercus libani Oliv. and negative correlation was found indicating a negative association between these species in physiographic classes and in the region.