The effect of fire on the flora and life forms of plant species in Zagros forests, Kermanshah

This study aimed to investigate the effect of fire on flora and life forms of herbaceous species in the Strait of Bzazkhaneh forest zone in the North East of Kermanshah. After determining the sample area using minimal area method, 40 sampling plots were laid out in each area: burned and unburned (control area). Plant species within each sample plot were collected and identified and their life form was recorded based on Raunkiaer system. The results of this study showed that the burned area had 48 plant species belonging to 37 genera and 14 families and the unburned area had 50 plant species belonging to 36 genera and 13 families. Among the identified families, Malvaceae, Guttiferae, Iridaceae, and Caryophyllaceae occurred only in burned area and Papaveraceae and Brassicaceae were observed in control area leading to differences in plant species composition between the two areas. Investigating the life forms of the species in the study areas showed that therophytes had the highest coverage percentage in two areas so that the percentage of these species in burned area was higher than the control area one. In general, after nine years of fire occurrence, the presence, absence and or restoration of some species have been affected by fire factor..