Assessment of Haloxylon plantation effects for desert reclamation with emphasis on substratum's soil and vegetation properties in Kale Shoor of Sabzevar region, Iran

Ecological effects of Haloxylon plantation on natural vegetation and soil properties were investigated in this study. For this purpose، three regions with 1 to 5-year-old، 5 to 10-year-old and over 20-year-old Haloxylon (Haloxylon persicum) and a control area for each region were determined. Vegetation sampling was conducted along a 300-meter transect to record crown cover percentage، density، production، litter، gravel، bare soil، species diversity and dominant species. In addition، soil sampling was performed at depths of 0-30 and 30-90 cm to measure soil properties including EC، pH، percentage of organic carbon، soluble calcium، magnesium and sodium، and silt، clay and gravel percentage. The study was performed through random-systematic sampling. Data were analyzed using independent t-test in SPSS software. Results indicated that Haloxylon plantation led to increase in percentage of crown cover، litter، and standing crop production. It also caused improvement in species composition، condition and trend as compared to the control area. Plantation of Haloxylon with different ages affected and increased soil electrical conductivity.