Long term effect of oil mulch on richness and biodiversity of soil macro-fauna and vegetation in Jask, Iran

Several provinces in Iran are subjected to the invasion of moving sands during permanent and seasonal wind blowing. In this research, effect of oil mulch on biodiversity, richness and evenness indices of soil macrofauna and vegetation has been investigated in Jask region. The research data were including density, canopy and richness of vegetation and the richness and biodiversity of soil macrofauna. Vegetation was sampled using 60 plots with the area of 5Í5 m2 and soil macrofuana investigated using 80 pit traps (glasses containing poly ethylene glycol 50%). Richness and biodiversity indices were calculated using Past software. Results of compared biodiversity indices for macrofauna showed that richness of soil macrofauna of mulched areas in autumn and spring, were 2.9 and 16.5 times than the control area, respectively. Shannon’s and Simpson’s biodiversity indices related to autumn were 3.6 and 3.1 times than the control area in mulched areas, respectively. Results of oil mulch effect on richness and biodiversity of vegetation in mulched and control areas indicating similar plant diversity after 10 to 14 years than the mulching process in the studied areas.