Identifying saline lands and halophytes of Qom province

Identifying the border of saline lands is the first step to deal with the problem of salinity in these regions. This research was aimed to investigate the relationship between edaphic, climatic and vegetative factors in each habitat and its extension to other similar areas. In the current research, the vegetation types were detected by Landsat satellite images. For this purpose, a soil profile was dug in each vegetation type and where water was found, samples were analyzed. In addition, a number of soil profiles were dug in areas without vegetation. Results showed that half of the studied vegetation types grew on saline soils and the other half grew on non-saline soils. The soil of the study area was classified as saline and alkaline soils. Seidlitzia sp. and Aeluropus sp. were identified as the most and least resistant halophytes, respectively. Geological formations containing evaporite deposits (Neogen), Qom formation deposits, little precipitation, Qom salt dome, saline water flowing in the region and geomorphological position were the factors increasing the salinity of the study area.