The effects of environmental factors on distribution of plant communities in rangelands of Bijar protected region

In this study, the relationship between environmental factors and distribution of plant communities in rangelands of Bijar protected region was investigated. Vegetation types were determined by using physiononmy method. Plot size was determined with minimal area method and after primary sampling the number of plots was determined by statistical method. In each vegetation type, sampling was done along four transects of 300 m length. 15 plots of 1m2 were established along each transect at 20 meter intervals. The type and the amount of existing species and the percentage of vegetation cover were determined in each plot. In each community, 6 profiles were dug within sampling unit. Soil samples were taken from 0-20 and 20-100 cm according to the boundary of separated horizons and type of existing plant species in study area. physiographic features including altitude, slope and aspect were measured and among soil properties, clay, silt, sand, lime, pH, EC, organic mater and gravel were measured. After collecting data, the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to determine relationship between vegetation cover and environmental factors by PC-ORD software. The results indicated that there were relationships between measured factors and distribution of vegetation. Texture, gravel, lime, altitude and slope had the most influence on distribution of plant communities.