Plant biodiversity of Zarm-rood rural district of Neka (Mazandaran province)

Zarm-rood rural district is a mountainous area with about 608 km2, located in Hezar jarib district of Neka, Mazandaran province. The altitude of the rural district varied from 1700 to 2100 meters. The present research was conducted to do a floristic study of the area. The plant specimens were collected from different seasons during 2012 – 2013 years and determined by using some authentic floristic references. As a result, 172 species from 146 genera belonging to 69 families have been determined in this area. Fabaceae, with 12 genera and 16 species, is the largest family in Zarm-rood rural district. Regargding the life form of plants, 37 % of species are hemicryptophytes, 26 % Phanerophytes, 19 % cryptophytes, 17 % therophytes and 1 % are chamaephytes. The abundance of phanrophytes species is in accordance with the mountainous forest vegetation of studied area. According to the phytogeographical distribution, 36 % of the species belong to the Euro - Siberian region, 23 % are polyregional, 16 % are common growing elements in Euro - Siberian and Irano - Turanian region, and 2 % are cosmopolitan. The plant species diversity in Zarm-rood rural district shows the ecological importance of the area and extensive destruction of its vegetation, therefore a serious consideration in natural environment management is needed.