habitat

Forests are dynamic systems that are constantly undergoing permanent changes. Understanding elements in the forestland ecosystem and factors affecting it will help preserve this ecosystem, as preservation of species diversity will help protect the ecological values of the ecosystem. By studying various environmental factors such as vegetation and topography, soil and climate, we can understand the stability of plant communities and the correlation between these factors and vegetation. This is very important and practical for forest community development and regeneration. The importance of biodiversity and its management especially based on the protection and sustainable use of ecosystem resources is one of the main objectives of natural resource management.

The present study examined unique species and rich specie reserves in the forestland region of Neimour in Iranian Noshahr, aiming to evaluate the vegetation of the edges surrounding the Khezr Nabi swamp. Simultaneously with survey, based on the homogeneity or heterogeneity of the vegetation units in relation to the distance from the marsh, ultimately, the zonation of marsh plants was carried out in three zones and sampling was done. Using the Braun-Blanquet method, samples were gathered by taking 1×2 meter frames in eight geographical directions. Plant species diversity in the growing season was examined using the Simpson and Shannon-Weiner indicators, and the richness and uniformity of the species were measured using menhinick and margalef richness indicators.

The results of this study, taken from biodiversity indicators, suggested that the most species diversity and richness pertained to the east, north and northeast, with the swamp directions noting no statistical differences; but a statistical difference(p<0.05)was observedin menhinick and margalef richness indicators. The soil texture, including sandy clay loam (62.5%), sandy loam (25%) and loam (12.5%).The clay(p<0.01), organic matter(p<0.01)  and soil acidity (p<0.05) characteristics have significant differences. The study also found that in terms of the number of the species, most species pertained to the beech trees, while in herbal and fauna species, the Gramineae family and soil ant family were seen most in the northern direction.

As the findings suggested, the cover tree, fauna, and the edaphic cover were affected by the Khezr Nabi swamp, which formed a sub-habitat with a special micro-climate.