Investigation on relationships between soil properties and vegetative types (Case Study: Dejinak-e-Khash Rangeland - Taftan Balochistan)

Soil properties are of the effective factors in distribution of vegetation, especially in arid and semi arid regions as the effect of geology, topography and climatic factors appeare in soil properties. In this study, soil properties of rangeland vegetative types was studied in Dejinak-e-Khash in the southern of Taftan. Soil and vegetation sampling were done in key areas of each site by random- systematic method. Plot size was determined with minimal area method. Also, the size and number of transects for sampling were determined according to species and vegetation changes. Physicochemical properties of soil including soil texture, pH, electrical conductivity, lime and organic matter were measured. After measuring soil and plant factors, statistical analysis was performed on plant species, vegetation types and soil factors by SPSS software. Finally, the best equation and correlations were determined between vegetation types and soil parameters. Results showed that the percentage of organic matter, clay and absorbable potassium were the most important factors in distribution of key range species in the study area. In general, the results showed a significant relationship at 95% probability level for Artemisia siberi with potassium and clay, for Salsola nitraria with soil pH, and for Acanthophyllum microcephalum with total nitrogen. Also, the distribution of Hammada salicornia was significantly affected by all factors except P and EC at 95% probability level.